Start with how the space is used
Two offices of the same size can need very different cleaning. A 20-person office used five days a week by everyone, with a busy kitchen, needs far more than one used two days a week by a hybrid team. Think about headcount, days in use, visitors, the kitchen and washrooms, and whether anyone eats at their desk.
A typical schedule
As a starting point for a typical office:
| Area or task | Typical frequency |
|---|---|
| Washrooms | Daily when in use, with checks during the day in busy offices |
| Kitchen and breakout areas | Daily when in use |
| Bins and recycling | Daily or every visit |
| Desks and touchpoints (handles, switches) | Daily or several times a week |
| Vacuuming and mopping | Two to five times a week depending on traffic |
| Dusting high and low surfaces | Weekly |
| Internal glass and partitions | Weekly or fortnightly |
| Carpet deep clean | Every 6–12 months |
| External windows | Monthly to quarterly |
Indicative office cleaning frequencies
Daily vs a few times a week
Many small offices are cleaned two or three times a week, with staff handling small daily jobs like loading the dishwasher. Busy offices, and any with customer-facing areas, often need daily cleaning. Washrooms and kitchens are usually the deciding factor – they can't sensibly go several days without attention when in use.
Hybrid working
If your office is busy on certain days, schedule cleaning around them – for example, after the busiest days rather than on fixed days. Some businesses reduce general cleaning but keep washrooms and kitchens on a frequent schedule. Desk-sharing makes cleaning touchpoints and desks more important.
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Periodic deep cleaning
Alongside routine cleaning, schedule periodic tasks: carpet cleaning, upholstery, high-level dusting, inside kitchen appliances, and window cleaning. Many contract cleaners offer these as add-ons. Summer and the Christmas break are popular times, when the office is quieter.
Signs your schedule isn't working
It's worth reviewing your cleaning if you notice:
- Staff complaining about washrooms or the kitchen
- Bins overflowing before the next clean
- Dust visible on desks and windowsills
- Carpets looking grubby in walkways
- Sickness spreading through the team more than usual
Staff responsibilities
Even with a contract cleaner, a few simple office rules make a big difference: clear desks at the end of the day so they can be cleaned, load the dishwasher and wipe up spills in the kitchen, and report problems promptly. Cleaners can't clean desks covered in papers.
Agree what staff are expected to do and what the cleaners do, and share it. It reduces friction and helps the cleaning budget go further.
What it costs
Office cleaning is usually priced per hour or as a monthly contract based on hours and frequency. Our office cleaning prices give indicative rates, and what's included in office cleaning explains typical task lists.
