An office and commercial cleaning checklist, by frequency
A cleaning scope that only says clean the office will never be done the same way twice. This checklist splits the work by how often it should happen.
Every workplace is different, but the rhythm of the work is not. Some things must happen every day the building is used, some weekly, some monthly and some only a few times a year. Write your scope the same way and both sides know exactly what is being paid for.
Every cleaning visit
- Empty all trash and recycling; replace liners as needed.
- Restrooms: clean and disinfect toilets, urinals, sinks and counters; clean mirrors; refill paper, soap and sanitizer; mop floors.
- Break room: clean sink, counters and tables; wipe appliance fronts and the inside of the microwave.
- Wipe high-touch points: door handles, push plates, light switches, elevator buttons, railings.
- Vacuum carpeted traffic areas; dust-mop and damp-mop hard floors.
- Clean entry glass and shake or vacuum mats.
Weekly
- Dust clear desk surfaces, ledges, sills and partitions.
- Vacuum all carpet, including under desks where reachable.
- Clean interior glass and conference room whiteboards (on request).
- Wipe the outside of refrigerators, coffee machines and vending machines.
- Spot-clean walls and doors.
Monthly
- Dust high ledges, vents, return-air grilles and light fixtures.
- Wipe baseboards.
- Vacuum upholstered chairs and clean chair bases.
- Clean inside the break room refrigerator (with notice to staff).
- Detail-clean restroom partitions and grout.
Quarterly or twice a year
- Carpet extraction.
- Hard floor scrubbing and recoating; stone and terrazzo polishing.
- Exterior windows (often by a specialist).
- Blinds and window treatments.
What to put in a scope of work
Alongside the task list, a good scope states the cleaning days and hours, who supplies paper goods and soap, how keys and alarm codes are handled, how the work is inspected and reported, and how a missed visit is put right. Medical offices add the products their infection-control policy requires and the areas cleaners must not enter. Restaurants add the kitchen tasks and anything left to a hood contractor.
Quick answers
How often should an office be cleaned?
Restrooms and kitchens every day they are used. Small, lightly used offices can do well with two or three visits a week; busy offices need five.
What is a janitorial scope of work?
A written list of cleaning tasks by area and frequency, with the days, hours and responsibilities for supplies, access and inspections.
Who supplies paper goods and soap?
Either side can. Many buildings buy their own and have the cleaning company track levels; others have the cleaner supply them at cost.
How do I know the cleaning was done?
Ask for a checklist signed each visit and regular supervisor inspections against the scope, with a short report.