Does an office need every task every day?

No. Shared kitchens, washrooms and high-use touch points usually need more frequent attention than low-use rooms. Set the schedule from actual use, workplace policy and the agreed service scope.

Who is responsible for clearing desks for cleaning?

Agree who clears office desks before each cleaning visit. Cleaning staff should not move confidential documents or personal items unless authorised. Unclear desk access should be recorded as a limitation, not treated as a missed cleaning task.

Should windows and carpets be part of a routine visit?

Include windows and carpets in a routine office-cleaning visit only if the contract says so. They often need different equipment or a separate appointment, so specify their frequency, access and expected result.

Office cleaning checklist

An office cleaning plan works best when it distinguishes daily upkeep from less frequent detailed work. Decide who handles each task, when it can be done without disrupting staff, and which areas need restricted access. Use the checklist as a scope to agree with a cleaner, rather than assuming every office has the same rooms or equipment.

Before cleaning starts

Walk the space and list desks, meeting rooms, kitchens, toilets, reception and floors. Note high-use areas, delicate surfaces and any rooms that require permission to enter. Agree who moves papers, protects confidential material, empties personal bins and provides access. Check product labels and the manufacturers' care instructions for desks, screens, floor finishes and fittings. Keep cleaning products away from food and never mix them.

Daily or each scheduled visit

Empty agreed bins and replace liners where needed; keep recycling streams separate.
Wipe accessible shared touch points such as door handles, switches and meeting tables with a product suitable for the surface. Clean visibly dirty surfaces before any disinfection required by your workplace policy.
Clean kitchen worktops, sink and shared table; remove obvious food waste. Leave personal dishes to the agreed owner.
Clean toilets, basins, taps and mirrors using separate bathroom equipment. Replenish consumables if that is part of the agreed service.
Remove visible debris from floors, then vacuum or mop with a method suited to the floor finish. Put out wet-floor signs where needed.
Check reception and meeting rooms for marks and litter and leave furniture in its agreed position.

Weekly detailed work

Dust reachable ledges, skirting and accessible furniture; clean glass doors and internal partitions where included. Wipe kitchen cabinet fronts and appliance exteriors, including the microwave exterior and fridge handle. Check under and around moveable furniture without disturbing cables or equipment. Spot-clean floor marks using a floor-approved method. Record stains or damage that needs specialist treatment instead of hiding it with stronger chemicals.

Periodic tasks to schedule separately

Window cleaning, carpet extraction, upholstery treatment, high-level dusting and intensive floor care may need extra time, equipment or access. Set the frequency based on use, condition and the manufacturer's guidance. List these as separate tasks with a date and agreed outcome so they are not silently omitted from routine visits.

Handover and quality check

At the end of each visit, confirm bins, washrooms, kitchens and floors against the agreed scope. Note inaccessible rooms, low consumables, spills, damaged surfaces and tasks deferred for safety reasons. A short log helps a manager distinguish missed work from a task outside the contract.

For a larger or one-time reset, use the checklist below. If you need an agreed commercial scope, state the room count, access hours and periodic tasks when requesting a quote.

One-off cleaning checklist

Office cleaning services in London