Commercial Cleaning Checklist 2024 — Workplace Cleanliness

Office cleaning — Is it really important?

Cleaning your workspace is much more important than most businesses think. While most think of the usual surface cleaning and sweeping as ‘office cleaning’, it actually involves much more than that. 

A quick sweep or mop is simply not enough – particularly after how quickly we saw contaminants spread after the global pandemic. In this article, we’ll outline what’s involved in a commercial clean, outlining our general ‘checklist’ for most offices and business properties we clean in Sydney.

A comprehensive commercial cleaning checklist

Reception area

The reception or front-facing area of a commercial space is often responsible for setting first impressions with your clients. It should be kept in pristine condition to maintain a professional business image. Depending on the amount of foot traffic the reception area receives, daily cleaning will be necessary, as well as periodic spot-checks throughout each workday. 

• Clearing out unnecessary clutter such as delivery boxes. 
• Wiping down surfaces to remove dirt and dust.
• Polishing glass surfaces such as front doors and windows to remove unsightly fingerprints and smudges. 
• Emptying trash cans and replacing bin liners with new ones.
• Disinfecting and wiping down counters and equipment, as well as any waiting area furniture.
• Dusting off lamps, chairs, window shades, and vents, especially in corners or hard-to-reach areas.

 

Workspace area

Workspace areas are usually prone to large accumulations of debris and rubbish. This is especially so if the workspace is used for manufacturing or material processing activities. The rate of rubbish build-up is usually much lower in comparison to the office environment but can still pose health and safety risks if left addressed. 

Keeping the main workspace area clean is an essential part of ensuring that your staff get around and accomplish their tasks without obstruction or risk of workplace accidents. Depending on the industry and type of work carried out within the workspace, there may also be strict work safety requirements that apply. 

• Sweeping up loose debris and dust. 
• Cleaning up liquid spills to minimise the risk of slipping accidents or stains on the floor. 

Floors

Floors are undoubtedly the dirtiest part of any space — almost all dust and debris ends up on the floor. Without consistent cleaning, dirt and build-up can end up leaving lasting marks or damage on the flooring.

Floor cleaning is a core part of commercial cleaning. To ensure a thoroughly cleaned floor, the appropriate cleaning techniques should be used for different types of flooring. Some of these techniques will require specialised cleaning equipment that most commercial cleaning services use. 

• Hard flooring i.e. Tile, Wood, or Concrete — Sweeping, followed by mopping. 
• Carpet flooring — Vacuuming for daily cleaning, with occasional steam cleaning.
• Mats — Vacuuming, followed by mopping with disinfectant solution.
• Hard-to-reach areas — Detail vacuuming to remove debris from crevices.

 

Windows

Windows are too often ignored by businesses when it comes to cleaning due to the difficulty of accessing them, especially for offices in high-rise buildings. Clean windows contribute to the overall appearance of the commercial space and should be given proper attention when it comes to office cleaning. 

Glass can easily collect fingerprints, dust, and oil stains from repeated touching, making consistent cleaning necessary to achieve a polished look. Focus on high-touch areas like near the handle of glass doors or regularly opened windows. 

Cleaning the outside-facing surface of windows will usually require specialised equipment such as scaffolding or harness equipment, as well as trained cleaning staff — this service is provided by commercial cleaning companies. 

• Wiping down surfaces with a clean cloth.
•  Using gentle solvents to get rid of oily smudges or stains. 

Toilets

A dirty toilet isn’t just unpleasant to use, it’s also a potential health hazard. Toilets must be kept clean and sanitary for the comfort of clients and staff, as well as to avoid issues like clogging that can cause inconveniences. 

Sanitising restroom surfaces and floors frequently (typically twice a day) should be a minimum for cleaning requirements. This helps to prevent the spread of germs and other sicknesses that can affect the rest of the workplace. 

• Wiping down and sanitising sinks, countertops, toilets, and urinals. 
• Emptying bins and replacing bins with new liners. 
• Cleaning and polishing mirrors.
• Replenishing supplies — soap dispensers, toilet paper rolls, hand wash napkins.
• Sanitising door handles and other touch points such as light switches. 
• Washing and drying the toilet floor.

 

Break room/pantry

Having a pantry area means that your staff are going to share the space — and shared spaces usually generate more mess than usual. Maintaining cleanliness in a break room is important for ensuring that the space can be enjoyed safely by all your staff.  

Aside from encouraging your staff to keep things tidy in the pantry, consider having a professional commercial cleaning service for consistent cleaning. In between these professional cleanings, make it a point to keep the refrigerator, countertops and appliances free from spills and messes. 

This is where many people prepare meals, causing crumbs and food particles to get trapped in hard-to-spot places. Neglected food can attract pests and cause unpleasant smells in the breakroom.

• Wiping down chairs and seating areas.
• Emptying and replacing liners for garbage cans.
• Cleaning the inside of the refrigerator.
• Wiping the surfaces of large & small appliances to remove the buildup of dust and oil.
• Vacuuming the area to remove loose food scraps and particles.

A professional commercial cleaning service can carry out all of the above actions in the office cleaning list above, and more. As the best office cleaners in Sydney for all types of businesses and organisations, Showpiece Commercial Cleaning offers effective services at competitive prices. Contact our team today to get a free tailored quote for your commercial space or office.