Managing a workspace, whether it is an office or any other work environment, comes with its own set of responsibilities and considerations. Among all the tasks on your to-do list, cleaning can often take a backseat to more immediate priorities.
However, a clean and tidy workplace offers far more than just aesthetic benefits. It plays a key role in boosting employee productivity, morale, and overall health.
At CRW Cleaning Solutions, we’ve seen firsthand how a clean office can positively impact both the people who work there and the business itself. As cleaning professionals with years of experience, we know the ins and outs of what makes an office truly spotless and hygienic.
In this post, we’re sharing some of our top office cleaning tips, as well as a commercial cleaning checklist, to ensure your workplace stays fresh, safe, and productive.
A Clean Office Matters More Than You Think
It Boosts Employee Health and Morale
The average person touches around 7,200 surfaces and their own face over 550 times a day, without even thinking about it. In a workspace, cross-contamination is a real concern and directly affects your team’s health and productivity.
Germs, dirt and bacteria linger on desks, door handles, and keyboards, and without regular cleaning, sickness can spread fast. In fact, small businesses in Australia lose around $30,000 a year in sick leave costs alone. However, with regular cleaning, businesses can significantly reduce this number.
But, it’s not just about physical health; clean environments also support mental wellbeing too. Clutter can cause anxiety and make it harder to concentrate, reducing overall happiness and productivity. A clean workspace, on the other hand, reduces distractions and supports focus.
It Creates a Positive, Professional Impression
For businesses, first impressions are crucial. Studies suggest that it takes just 7 seconds for someone to form an opinion about your business. And when a client, partner, or potential hire walks through your office doors, the cleanliness of your space plays a major role in shaping that impression.
A clean, well-organised office tells people that you take pride in what you do and how you do business. It signals professionalism, attention to detail, and a commitment to high standards. On the other hand, cluttered desks, dusty surfaces, or overflowing bins can make your business seem disorganised, or worse, careless.
Clients are far more likely to trust and invest in companies that look the part; They are more likely to be seen as professional and reliable. Your workspace becomes an extension of your brand, reinforcing your reputation and giving people confidence in your services.
It Improves Air Quality and Overall Hygiene
According to the EPA, indoor air can actually contain more pollutants than outdoor air, and since most people spend a huge portion of their week inside, poor air quality can lead to headaches, fatigue, and respiratory issues.
Dust, allergens, and mould can all build up without proper cleaning. A good commercial cleaning routine should also include:
· Promptly addressing moisture issues to prevent mould growth
· Regular deep cleaning of carpets, which trap dust and allergens
· Cleaning air ducts to ensure clean, breathable air flows through your space
· Using low-VOC, environmentally friendly products that are safer to breathe
The Ultimate Office Cleaning Checklist
A truly clean office takes consistency and attention to detail. Having a commercial cleaning checklist will help you maintain key areas so nothing gets overlooked. This is important to have even if you work with a professional cleaning service—it ensures everyone is on the same page, expectations are clear, and no critical spots are missed.
1. Reception and Entryway Cleaning
The reception area is the face of your business. It’s also one of the dirtiest, thanks to heavy foot traffic.
Your daily checklist should include:
· Clean glass doors and windows to avoid streaks
· Disinfect high-touch surfaces like reception desks, pens, and visitor chairs
· Empty and sanitise waste bins
· Vacuum carpets or mop hard flooring
· Dust décor and keep magazines or brochures neatly stacked
Top Tip: Follow the “eye-level test” If a visitor can see it, it should be clean.
2. Workstation & Desk Organisation
A clutter-free desk directly impacts how your team feels and performs throughout the day. Clean, organised workstations help employees think more clearly, reduce distractions, and boost overall efficiency.
Ultimately, day-to-day desk cleanliness will likely be up to your employees, but encouraging a culture of personal responsibility and pride in shared spaces can go a long way. When cleanliness is part of the workplace routine, not an afterthought, it creates a more focused, respectful, and productive environment for everyone.
Key tasks include:
· Disinfect keyboards, phones, and mice daily
· Wipe down desktops and chair arms
· Keeping drawers organised
· Clear unnecessary items to reduce clutter
· Use screen-safe wipes on monitors
Bonus Tip: Encourage a quick “clean-up-before-you-leave” habit—it makes a big difference the next morning.
3. Kitchen & Breakroom Hygiene
The office kitchen can quickly become one of the most unhygienic areas if it’s not regularly maintained. Leftover food, dirty dishes, and shared appliances all create opportunities for bacteria and unpleasant odours to build up (No one wants to make their morning coffee in a messy, smelly kitchen!)
Since this is a shared space, maintaining kitchen hygiene is a team effort. A few simple cleaning routines can help everyone feel more comfortable and reduce the risk of germs spreading, especially in busy offices where multiple people use the same equipment every day.
Checklist must-haves:
· Wipe down counters and sinks with disinfectant daily
· Clean out the fridge weekly—label old items for easy disposal
· Empty bins regularly to avoid odours
· Descale kettles and coffee machines monthly
· Clean the microwave inside and out daily
Team Tip: Everyone should wash their own dishes straight after use to keep the space pleasant for all.
4, Restroom Sanitisation
A clean restroom is a non-negotiable. Whether it’s staff or visitors, everyone notices the state of your facilities and it is a reflection of how much you care about your team and clients. It prevents the spread of bacteria, keeps odours at bay, and creates a more professional environment.
Take a Step-by-step approach:
· Put up safety signs
· Empty bins and replace liners
· Restock toilet paper, soap, and paper towels
· Apply disinfectant to toilets, urinals, and basins
· Wipe down mirrors, taps, and door handles
· Mop the floors with an antibacterial solution
Pro Tip: Keep paper towel dispensers filled at all times. Studies show that wet hands spread germs much more easily than dry ones, so making sure staff and visitors can dry their hands properly is a simple but powerful way to maintain hygiene.
4. Meeting Rooms & Common Areas
Meeting rooms and shared spaces often serve as the face of your office and need to look (and feel) welcoming, clean, and organised.
Because they see so much traffic throughout the day, common areas are also hotspots for germs and allergens.
What to Clean and How Often:
· Disinfect tables, chairs, and remote controls daily
· Dust and sanitise presentation equipment, screens, and whiteboards
· Vacuum or steam clean carpets weekly
· Wipe down high-touch areas like doorknobs, light switches, and drawer handles
· Schedule regular deep cleans for upholstery, curtains, and fabric panels
5. Don’t Forget These Office Hotspots
Some areas often get missed but make a big difference in cleanliness and hygiene:
· Elevator buttons and railings
· Light switches and thermostats
· Stairwell banisters
· Shared printers and copy machines
· Handrails and internal door handles
· Corners and ceilings
8 Professional Office Cleaning Tips You Should Follow
1. Always Clean from Top to Bottom
Dust follows gravity, which is why cleaning from top to bottom is the most effective method. Start with ceiling fans and light fixtures, move to shelves, desks, and counters, and finish with the floors. This ensures that dust and debris fall onto areas that haven’t been cleaned yet, so you don’t accidentally re-contaminate clean spaces. This technique is widely used by professional cleaners to optimise their time and results.
2. Keep Cleaning Supplies Organised
A well-organised cleaning supply system is key to working efficiently. Use clear bins or caddies for easy visibility of products and tools. Group cleaning agents by type, such as detergents, disinfectants, and specialty cleaners, and store them in designated areas. Having quick access to the right tools reduces cleaning time and ensures nothing is missed. A small cleaning caddy under sinks or in utility closets is also perfect for quick spills and on-the-go cleaning.
· Vacuum cleaner and brooms
· Cloths and dusters
· Mops
· Surface cleaners and disinfectants
· Bags and bin liners
· Soaps, hand wash and wipes
3. Use the Eye-Level Surface Test
When cleaning, make sure to give extra attention to surfaces at eye level, this is where visitors and employees will first notice. Reception counters, glass partitions, door handles, and walls need careful attention to ensure they’re clean. This also means keeping high-traffic areas clean and clutter-free, including emptying bins, organising deliveries, books and documents.
4. Ask Employees to Clean Their Desks
Encouraging employees to take responsibility for their personal workspace cleanliness fosters a sense of shared responsibility. Studies show that cluttered desks carry more germs and cause higher stress levels, so by maintaining a tidy workspace, employees can enjoy improved organisation and reduced risk of cross-contamination.
5. Don’t Forget Light Fixtures and Vents
Light fixtures and air vents often get overlooked, partly because they are areas you don’t look at often (out of sight, out of mind!). But dust and dirt can build up on light fixtures and air vents can collect allergens, which can negatively impact the air quality in your office.
6. Deep Clean Hidden and Hard-to-Reach Areas
Regular cleaning covers the day-to-day basics, but it’s also important to tackle hidden and hard-to-reach spots to maintain optimal hygiene. Areas behind furniture, inside cabinets, and under equipment are often neglected. Use extension tools to reach ceiling corners and behind heavy furniture. These hidden spaces are dust magnets that can negatively impact air quality when disturbed, so be sure to clean them thoroughly.
7. Choose the Right Cleaning Products
The right cleaning products are crucial for getting your office surfaces truly clean. Use all-purpose cleaners for general areas, but choose specialty products for specific materials like glass, stone, or wood. For delicate materials, opt for ph-neutral cleaners, and always use disinfectants on high-touch areas to ensure the elimination of germs. Quality cleaning products will not only do a better job but will also protect your office assets from unnecessary wear and tear.
8. Let Tough Stains Soak Overnight
Tough stains, such as those on carpets, often need time to break down. Rather than scrubbing them immediately, apply the appropriate cleaning solution and allow it to soak overnight. Enzyme-based cleaners can break down stains at a molecular level, offering a gentle solution that won’t damage the surface. Always test cleaning products on a hidden area before applying them to visible spots, and avoid harsh scrubbing that could damage delicate materials.
Maintaining a Cleaning Routine That Works
Creating and sticking to a routine is key to ensuring your office space remains fresh and clean day after day.
Create a Weekly and Monthly Cleaning Schedule
To help maintain cleanliness, it’s important to divide tasks into daily, weekly, and monthly categories. A good commercial cleaning checklist should help keep this organised:
· Daily tasks: These include emptying bins, wiping down high-touch surfaces like door handles and light switches, and vacuuming high-traffic areas.
· Weekly tasks: Dusting shelves, mopping floors, sanitising kitchen appliances, and wiping down furniture or electronics should be done once a week.
· Monthly deep cleaning: Focus on carpets, windows, light fixtures, and areas that aren’t cleaned daily, such as storage rooms and vents.
Tailor your cleaning schedule to the specific needs of your office. For example, reception areas and meeting rooms require more frequent attention than individual workstations.
Assign Responsibilities or Hire Professionals
This will depend on your workspace and expectations. Most often, commercial spaces will opt to assign day-to-day cleaning tasks to employees (like loading the dishwasher, wiping down surfaces, taking out the waste weekly) and outsource more comprehensive cleaning to professionals.
For internal cleaning, be sure to assign clear tasks and provide proper training. Alternating tasks and rotating responsibilities can help prevent burnout and ensure no one feels overburdened. Use a roster or shared checklist to keep things fair and transparent.
When it comes to more thorough, large-scale, or specialty cleaning, such as deep carpet cleaning, sanitising shared workspaces, or maintaining restrooms, professional cleaning services are a smart investment.
Use a Digital or Printed Office Cleaning Checklist
A checklist helps you stay organised, track progress, and keep everyone on the same page. Ensure your checklist is detailed, with specific tasks assigned to each area and clear timeframes for completion.
Keep physical checklists visible in common spaces or share digital ones through company platforms to ensure everyone stays on track. Regular check-ins and updates based on feedback will help keep your office in top shape as well
Keeping Up With Spot Cleaning
Even with a solid cleaning schedule, spot cleaning is key for dealing with unexpected spills or messes. Keep cleaning supplies easily accessible throughout the office, especially in high-use areas like the kitchen or breakroom. Encourage a “clean as you go” culture, where team members clean up small messes right away. This shared responsibility helps maintain a tidy environment without waiting for the next scheduled cleaning day.
When to Call in Commercial Office Cleaning Services
Even the best in-house cleaning efforts will eventually hit their limits. As your office grows or becomes busier, maintaining a high standard of hygiene and presentation can be challenging without professional support. That’s when it’s time to bring in commercial office cleaning services.
· Access to Advanced Tools and Equipment: Outsourcing your cleaning needs is often more cost-effective than managing everything in-house. You avoid the expense of equipment, supplies, and training while gaining access to commercial-grade cleaning tools that are designed to tackle even the toughest messes.
· Thorough and Efficient Cleaning: Professionals will clean more efficiently, saving your team time and reducing interruptions to your workflow. They know exactly what needs attention and can perform deeper cleans, like air duct cleaning or upholstery treatment, that go beyond a typical office cleaning routine.
· Consistency: One of the key advantages of professional cleaning is reliability. Commercial cleaning services ensure your office stays fresh, tidy, and hygienic every day, creating a consistent, positive environment for employees and visitors alike.
Keep Your Office Spotless to Succeed!
A systematic approach to office cleaning supports better hygiene, reduces illness, and makes a lasting impression on staff and visitors alike. Professional cleaning shouldn’t be thought of as an expense, but as an investment in your people, your space, and your business reputation.
While an in-house team can handle day-to-day upkeep, some situations call for the tools, techniques, and consistency that only expert cleaners can offer.
At CRW Cleaning Solutions, we understand what it takes to keep corporate offices clean, safe, and professional. Our tailored cleaning services are designed to fit your specific needs, whether you need ongoing support, one-off deep cleans, or something more tailored to your needs.
Ready for a cleaner, healthier office? Get in touch with CRW Cleaning Solutions and let’s create a cleaning plan that works for your business.