Office cleaning checklist for small workplaces

Why write the schedule down

Shared spaces get cleaned to the standard of whoever cares most, until that person goes on leave. A written schedule makes the standard visible and lets you check it. It also makes it far easier to brief a contract cleaner, because you can hand over the list rather than describe it from memory.

Workplace health and safety rules also expect amenities to be kept clean. Safe Work Australia's model Code of Practice on managing the work environment and facilities covers toilets, eating areas and drinking water, and is a sensible reference when you set your standard. You can find it on the Safe Work Australia website.

Daily tasks

• Empty bins under desks and in the kitchen; replace liners.
• Wipe kitchen benches, the sink, the tap and the fridge handle.
• Run and unload the dishwasher, or wash and put away shared mugs.
• Clean toilets, basins and taps; restock soap, paper towel and toilet paper.
• Wipe high-touch points: door handles, light switches, lift buttons and shared phones.
• Spot-clean spills on floors.

Weekly tasks

• Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors throughout, not just walkways.
• Dust desks, monitors, shelves and window sills. Leave papers where they are and dust around them.
• Clear out the shared fridge on a set day, with a note so staff know what will be thrown out.
• Wipe the microwave inside and out.
• Clean glass doors and internal partitions at hand height.

Periodic tasks

Every one to three months, depending on foot traffic: clean inside windows, wipe skirting boards and door frames, vacuum fabric chairs, descale the kettle and coffee machine, and check bins and bin enclosures for odours. Carpets in busy entries usually need professional steam or extraction cleaning more often than the rest of the floor.

Shared kitchens

The office kitchen is where most cleaning complaints start. Three habits fix most of them: a dishwasher that someone is responsible for emptying each morning, a weekly fridge clear-out with a fixed day, and separate cloths for benches and dishes that go into the wash at the end of each week. Put the routine on the fridge door so new staff see it.

Rubbish and recycling

Follow your local council's bin rules for what goes in recycling and organics, and label each office bin to match. Contaminated recycling is often rejected at collection, so a clear sign above each bin saves trouble. Secure document disposal should go to a locked bin or shredding service, not the general recycling.

Working with a contract cleaner

If you bring in a cleaner, agree the following in writing before the first visit:

• The task list and how often each task happens. Use the checklists above as a starting point.
• Access: keys or swipe cards, alarm codes and which rooms are off limits.
• Who supplies consumables such as soap, paper towel and bin liners.
• Proof of public liability insurance, and whether staff have police checks if they work after hours.
• How you will report a missed task and how quickly it gets fixed.

For the hygiene side of the job, read our guide to cleaning vs disinfecting. If your business also runs company cars or vans, the work vehicle cleaning guide covers those.