Keeping an office looking presentable is essential for maintaining a safe, healthy, and happy working environment. Thankfully, a comprehensive office checklist, such as this one, will make it easier for you to stay on top of your facilities management requirements. 

So, if you’re looking for a complete list of what is included in office cleaning, here's a detailed checklist of what should be cleaned and how often. 

The Benefits of a Clean Workspace

Before we dive into what should be cleaned and when, it’s important to understand why having a clean and organised place of work is essential. 

Increases Productivity 

Arguably the most important reason for keeping a workplace clean is that it can lead to an increase in productivity. 

‘Tidy desk, tidy mind’ is a saying for a reason - studies have shown that a cluttered environment can affect a person’s ability to focus. Mess and dirt not only cause distractions, but they can also release stress hormones, making it difficult for employees to work effectively. 

Keeping things clean and orderly gives employees the groundwork they need to get their tasks done efficiently and to a high standard. 

Protects Employees From Safety Hazards

Mess around the office can become a safety concern. Staff could trip over clutter or slip on a wet floor, both of which could lead to an injury. 

Additionally, surfaces that aren’t cleaned regularly can harbour germs, which may result in sickness. In an office environment, illness can spread quickly, causing multiple employees to be off sick simultaneously. Understandably, this can significantly disrupt workflows. 

Keeping the office clutter-free and ensuring all high-contact areas are cleaned frequently can reduce injury and prevent the spread of illness. 

Improves the Business Image 

If a client or customer visits the office, you want their first impression to be a good one. However, an unclean or messy workplace can give your business a poor image and create a reputation for being unorganised. 

Making sure your office is clean and tidy at all times means visitors will always be left with a good first impression. 

Daily Cleaning Checklist For Offices

Here is a desk, kitchen, reception area, and office bathroom cleaning checklist for tasks that should be completed daily: 

Main Workspace:

• Wipe interior glass doors and windows 
• Empty bins 
• Vacuum floors 
• Clean door handles, cupboard handles, and light switches
• Dust surfaces such as desks and shelves

Kitchens: 

• Discard of food wrappers and food waste
• Empty bins 
• Remove any expired food from the refrigerator
• Disinfect worktop surfaces and sinks
• Wipe down any appliances 
• Vacuum and mop floors
• Restock supplies such as soap and paper towels, if required 

Reception Areas: 

• Clean high-contact surfaces like door handles and light switches
• Ensure the welcome desk is dust free and looks presentable
• Empty bins 
• Vacuum floors, and mop hard woods if mud and dirt are present
• Replenish bowls of mints or other complimentary office treats 

Bathrooms: 

• Remove any used items, like paper towels, that are lying around
• Empty all bins
• Clean and sanitise sinks and hard surfaces 
• Sanitise toilet seats, flush levers, and door handles 
• Clean all mirrors 
• Vacuum and mop the floor 
• Restock items like paper towels, soap, and toilet paper, if needed

Weekly Cleaning Checklist For Offices 

The weekly cleaning schedule includes all of the daily cleaning tasks, with the addition of: 

• Dusting the tops of partitions, door frames, and other higher up areas
• Dust lamps 
• Remove debris from harder-to-reach areas, such as the crevices of a keyboard
• Sanitise all handles and light switches, as well as any other high-contact surfaces like phones 
• Wipe computer screens to remove fingerprints 
• Vacuum upholstery and spot treat stains, if required 
• Empty and clean all rubbish bins to eliminate odours 
• Ensure all hand dryers, light switches, and appliances are in working order 

Monthly Cleaning Checklist For Offices 

A deeper clean should be conducted monthly to prevent the build up of dust, dirt, and grime in areas which are not included in a typical cleaning routine. 

For offices, this includes:

• Dusting all areas including air vents, ceiling fans, light fixtures, blinds and curtain rails, skirting boards, and radiators
• Cleaning the inside of cupboards and drawers
• Vacuuming the floors under large furniture 
• Vacuuming and cleaning upholstery
• Cleaning rugs and carpeted areas
• Removing debris from the insides of window frames 
• Giving appliances such as fridges and microwaves a thorough clean
• Removing outdated food from kitchen cupboards 
• Removing outdated or spoiled items from the refrigerator
• Addressing dirt and stains from walls and ceilings 
• Eliminating limescale on kitchen and bathroom taps and kettles 

What Supplies Do I Need? 

To keep an office in tip top condition, you need a variety of cleaning products and equipment. Including: 

• Vacuum cleaner 
• Microfibre cloths 
• Scrubbing brushes
• Dusters 
• Washing up brushes 
• Disinfectant sprays
• Hard surface cleaners 
• Bleach (for toilets) 
• Glass cleaners 
• Mop 
• Buckets
• Floor cleaner
• Carpet cleaner 

You will also need to keep stocked up on items such as soap and paper towels, to restock the office as needed. 

Keep an Office Cleaning Checklist to Hand 

Cleaning an office isn’t optional, it’s necessary to ensure workers are kept safe, productivity stays high, and the reputation of your company remains positive.  

Keeping a checklist of what needs cleaning and when will not only help ensure no areas of the workspace are neglected, but also makes the cleaning process more efficient and effective in the long run.