Employees see the state of your office every morning, and clients form an opinion of it the moment they walk in. An office cleaning checklist keeps that standard steady, since every person on the cleaning crew works from the same written list.
We organized this list by area, the same way our commercial cleaning teams work through a building. Use it to train your own staff, to compare cleaning companies, or to check that your current service covers the right tasks.
Why Your Office Needs a Written Checklist
Shared office spaces change throughout the day as people eat at their desks, share a break room, and touch the same door handles dozens of times. A written list gives every cleaning task a clear owner, and the office manager can check the work against it.
Regular cleaning protects employee health in a shared workplace. CDC facility cleaning guidance explains that cleaning surfaces regularly helps prevent the spread of germs that make people sick. It recommends cleaning high-touch surfaces often and other surfaces whenever they are visibly dirty. Workplace rules set a baseline as well, since OSHA’s general requirements call for workplaces, passageways, and storerooms to be kept clean, orderly, and sanitary.
The Cleaning Checklist for Office Areas
Entrance and Reception Area
The reception area sets the first impression for every visitor, so it deserves the same attention as the restrooms.
- Dust the reception desk, side tables, and other reachable surfaces.
- Clean glass doors and any glass near the entry.
- Vacuum the carpets and the entrance mats, then sweep and mop hard floors.
- Empty trash bins and replace the liners as needed.
- Wipe the surfaces visitors touch, such as door handles and the sign-in counter.
Restrooms
- Clean and disinfect toilets and the floor around them.
- Wash sinks, faucets, countertops, and mirrors.
- Refill soap, paper towels, and toilet paper when your office supplies them and restocking is part of the service.
- Sweep and mop the floor.
- Empty the waste bins and add fresh liners.
Break Rooms and Kitchens
Break rooms are busy from the first coffee to the last lunch, so they need a careful wipe-down every visit.
- Wipe countertops, tables, and chairs.
- Clean the outside of the refrigerator, coffee maker, and other appliances.
- Wipe out the inside of the microwave when it is included in your service.
- Scrub the sink and faucet, then sweep and mop the floor.
- Empty trash and recycling bins.
Hallways, Workstations, and Conference Rooms
- Dust desks, ledges, and wall decor wherever surfaces are clear.
- Clean glass partitions, interior windows, and conference room walls.
- Vacuum carpets and rugs, then sweep and mop hard floors.
- Empty the trash bins under each desk.
- Wipe door handles, light switches, elevator buttons, and shared phones.
One note on desks: cleaners can only wipe the parts of a desk that are clear. Ask your staff to put away papers and laptops on cleaning nights if you want the full surface wiped.
A Weekly Office Cleaning Checklist
Some tasks do not need to happen every visit. A weekly office cleaning checklist covers the jobs that keep the space in good shape over time.
- Dust high ledges, vents, and the tops of cabinets.
- Wipe baseboards in the busiest hallways.
- Clean the inside of the break room refrigerator, if your office asks for it.
- Spot clean marks on walls and doors.
Choosing a Cleaning Schedule That Fits Your Office
How often each area needs attention depends on how many people use it. High traffic areas such as restrooms, entrances, and break rooms need cleaning on every visit, while a quiet private office might need only a weekly vacuum and dusting.
Two common setups cover the needs of many offices. Night janitorial service cleans after everyone leaves, so the work never interrupts meetings. A day porter works during business hours to restock restrooms, wipe down the break room after lunch, and handle spills as they happen.
Using a Commercial Cleaning Checklist to Compare Companies
Your commercial cleaning checklist is also the easiest way to compare one commercial cleaning service with another. Hand the same list to each one and ask which tasks are included, how often each happens, and who supplies the products. Answers that match the list line by line are easier to compare than a single price.
Our office and janitorial cleaning follows the checklist above, and our team brings the supplies and equipment for each scheduled visit. You can see every type of business we clean on our commercial cleaning page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Cleaning Companies Bring Their Own Supplies?
It depends on the company, so confirm it before you sign. Our team brings the supplies and equipment for each scheduled service, and your staff does not have to keep cleaning products in stock.
Can Our Office Be Cleaned After Business Hours?
Yes, your office can be cleaned after business hours. With secure access arranged ahead of time, a cleaning team can work in the evening and lock up before leaving.
An office that stays clean takes one less thing off your plate. If you would like a cleaning plan built around your office, request an office cleaning quote or call (415) 820-7230 to set up a walkthrough.