What Should Your Office Cleaning Schedule Look Like?

When you want to get a project done quickly and efficiently, you break it into subprojects and tackle them one at a time. Office cleaning is the same. An office cleaning schedule ensures that nothing is overlooked, not even unseen or hard-to-reach places (ceiling tiles, trim, carpets, vents, fans, behind machinery, etc.) 

Why do you need a cleaning schedule?

A cleaning schedule is used in order to ensure all areas of a building are kept clean and sanitized. It’s an easy and effective way of demonstrating that all spaces are regularly cleaned. It’s important to have all items and areas on the list, including those that are cleaned infrequently.

What should be included in a cleaning schedule?

The following items should be included in a cleaning schedule:

• The item and/or area that needs to be cleaned

• How often the item and/or area need to be cleaned

• The procedure to be followed to ensure the item is well-cleaned and sanitized

• What cleaning agent and the concentration of that cleaning agent should be used in the cleaning and sanitizing of the item/area

• The person or the position who is responsible for the cleaning of that item

• A signature of the person who cleaned the item

A sample cleaning checklist:

Though the checklist of areas requiring cleaning will vary from building to building, the following is a general commercial office cleaning checklist: 

Reception: Since reception is the first place everyone sees in the office, it should undergo daily cleaning and spot checks throughout the day. 

• Make sure mats are straightened, and floors swept and mopped.

• Clean the front doors on both sides, especially if they’re glass.

• Empty all trash receptacles, wipe them down, and replace liners.

• Disinfect the reception counter, desk, and telephone. 

• Wipe down the coffee table or other furniture.

• Straighten magazines and make the area look presentable.

• Dust tables, chairs, lamps, window shades, vents, and other surfaces.

• Sweep, vacuum, and/or mop the floors. 

• Clean the carpets every few weeks or months.

Cubicles/offices

• Dust shelves, cabinets and other hard surfaces.

• Empty trash receptacles, wipe them down and replace liners.

• Dust and sanitize computer monitors and keyboards and other computer equipment.

• Disinfect the desk, phone, and chair arms (if applicable). 

• Collect any office kitchenware (plates, utensils, mugs, etc.) and return them to the kitchen.

• Dust HVAC vents.

• Dust window blinds/shades as well as window sills.

• Clean window glass and any other glass surfaces.

• Vacuum or sweep and mop the floors.

Kitchen/break area    

• Empty the refrigerator of all unclaimed items. 

• Disinfect refrigerator shelves and replace items that people want to keep.

• Wash counters with disinfectant.

• Straighten items on the countertop and make the area look presentable.

• Empty and clean the coffee maker.

• Empty trash and recycling receptacles, disinfect receptacles and replace liners.

• Wash dirty dishes left in the sink.

• Clean sink and faucet with disinfectant.

• Vacuum or sweep and mop floors.

Bathroom  

• Empty and disinfect trash receptacles and sanitary napkin dispensers.

• Disinfect sinks, paper towel dispensers and/or hand dryers.

• Disinfect toilet seats and toilet paper dispensers.

• Use a toilet bowl cleaner and brush to clean the toilet bowl.

• Use a glass cleaner to wipe down mirrors.

• Refill toilet paper, paper towels and soap dispensers.

• Ensure hand dryers work properly.

• Sweep and mop floors with a disinfectant solution.

The area outside your office:  

• Remove leaves, branches or debris from the sidewalk and near the front door.

• Empty outdoor trash cans.

• Trim branches or bushes that get in the way of walkways, sidewalks or doors.

• Make sure the parking lot is free of hazards; branches, snow, ice, debris, and garbage.

How often should I schedule office cleaning services?

Cleaning frequency varies from industry to industry and building to building. The frequency of your cleaning depends on the level and type of cleaning involved and the size and profile of your business. Most companies have their office professionally cleaned nightly and deep cleaned once a month. What are the elements of your business that you should consider when deciding on the frequency of office cleaning for your company?

• Size: Businesses that have multiple floors of offices and a large number of employees generate a greater demand on their cleaning schedule than small businesses with only a few team members and a smaller office space.

• Shared Office Space: Shared offices often require more frequent cleaning and sanitizing.

• Seasonality: Is your business busier during the summer, near Christmas or other holidays? Peaks in business need to be factored into the structure of your annual cleaning schedule. 

• Customer traffic: If you have a high level of traffic (visitors, customers, clients), more frequent professional cleanings may be required. 

• Building features: Offices with carpeted floors, a large number of windows and/or an office kitchen may require more frequent cleaning. 

• Hours: What are your office working hours? Do you have more than one shift? Is there a time when your office is empty of employees? Cleaning contractors tend to work when your working day is over. 

• Waste: How much general waste, bathroom waste and/or recycling does your office generate? The more waste you create, the more often it needs to be removed and the more frequent cleaning is required. 

• Events: Does your company have regular employee social events and/or host clients within the office? Events require changes in the office cleaning schedule and the checklist used. 

No two companies are the same. Each office building has its own unique cleaning needs. A professional cleaning company with an experienced team of cleaners can help you determine the type and frequency of cleaning that is best for your business. 

Want to schedule office cleaning for your business? Looking for a commercial cleaning company that will meet your business’ specific needs? Call Strathcona Cleaners Ltd at 403-237-8355 or email us at info@strathconacleaners.com. Our Calgary-based business provides janitorial services to an array of industries. We custom-tailor our cleaning and maintenance plans to suit your specific needs. You can even choose non-toxic products and eco-friendly equipment. Depend on us for quality janitorial, office cleaning and post-construction services. Contact us today!