Office spaces are like ecosystems — the way they look, smell and feel can shape how people work, how clients perceive the business, and how healthy the team stays. Yet, cleaning isn’t just about running a vacuum over the carpet and wiping down desks. There’s a method to it — and if your workplace cleaning strategy is missing a few key steps, the results will show.
Let’s break down the 7 key steps of an effective office cleaning process, and why every step matters.
1. Declutter First: Create Space to Clean
Before you touch a spray bottle, start by removing anything that doesn’t belong — paper stacks, mugs, or general desk clutter. This step clears the way for a deeper clean and ensures no area gets skipped.
In shared office spaces or hot-desking environments, clutter builds up fast. If surfaces are consistently left messy, your cleaning crew will spend more time moving things than actually cleaning. Encourage a “clear desk” policy at the end of each day to support daily or nightly cleans.
2. Dust from Top to Bottom
Dust is sneaky. It settles on vents, blinds, light fittings, and high shelves — and if left there, it will just float back down onto your freshly cleaned desks and screens.
Start cleaning high areas first. Dust all horizontal surfaces with microfibre cloths or anti-static dusters, including tops of partitions, monitors, and window ledges. Don’t forget the tops of filing cabinets — a common dust trap.
A structured Office Cleaning schedule helps maintain these details on a regular basis.
3. Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces
Offices are full of shared surfaces: door handles, printer buttons, kitchen taps, fridge handles, elevator buttons — the list goes on.
These touchpoints need more than a surface wipe. They should be disinfected daily with appropriate products that meet health standards. Using disinfectant wipes or sprays with at least 70% alcohol can reduce the spread of germs, especially in flu season or during virus outbreaks.
For industries with shared equipment — like call centres or design agencies — this step becomes even more critical.
4. Empty Bins and Replace Liners
A clean office with an overflowing bin? That’s a problem. Bins should be emptied daily, with liners replaced — even if the bin isn’t full.
Bin hygiene plays a big part in odour control and pest prevention. In kitchens or breakout rooms, food scraps can become a magnet for ants, flies, and rodents. Don’t wait for bins to overflow — keep it a daily task.
If you manage a multi-storey space or multiple tenancies, aligning bin collection with your Office Cleaning provider ensures it’s not missed.
5. Clean and Sanitise Bathrooms and Kitchens
Shared facilities are where cleaning shortcuts become obvious — and where bad impressions can form. Bathrooms and kitchens demand special attention, with separate cloths, products, and procedures from general cleaning.
Tasks should include:
- Disinfecting toilets, urinals, and basins
- Cleaning mirrors and tiled surfaces
- Replacing toilet paper, hand soap and sanitiser
- Wiping down sinks, taps, and benchtops
- Cleaning inside and outside of microwaves, fridges, and kettles
Cleaners should follow specific hygiene protocols to prevent cross-contamination, including colour-coded cloths and gloves. For legal and health reasons, these spaces must meet high hygiene standards.
Safe Work Australia offers practical guidance on maintaining hygiene in the workplace.
6. Vacuum and Mop All Floors
This is often the last step in the visible process — but one that leaves the most noticeable impression.
Carpeted areas should be vacuumed thoroughly (including under desks and furniture), and hard floors swept and mopped with disinfectant. For high-traffic areas, spot-cleaning stains should also be done.
Floor cleaning isn’t just about appearance. Clean floors reduce dust and allergens and help prevent slips, especially in entryways or bathrooms where moisture builds up.
A reliable Office Cleaning team will have an eye for both visible dirt and the spots people walk past without noticing.
7. Final Check and Reset
The last step? Review the space with fresh eyes.
Ensure chairs are pushed in, blinds are adjusted, and everything looks ‘reset’ for the next day. This visual reset helps create a sense of order and routine — and it signals that the space has been professionally looked after.
If your cleaners work overnight, this final polish makes a world of difference in how staff feel walking in the next morning.
Why Process Matters in Office Cleaning
You might think these steps are obvious — but you’d be surprised how often corners are cut when cleaning isn’t systematised.
Without a structured process:
- Germ hotspots get missed
- Supplies run out at awkward times
- Dust and grime slowly build in ignored corners
On the other hand, when cleaning follows a documented, repeatable method, it becomes part of your workplace’s standard of care.
And it’s not just about hygiene — it’s about morale. Staff are more likely to take pride in their workspace when it’s consistently clean, organised, and fresh-smelling.
Final Thoughts
Effective office cleaning isn’t just a task — it’s a rhythm. From decluttering to final checks, each step builds a cleaner, safer, and more productive workspace.
Whether you’re managing a small office or a multi-level corporate space, having a structured cleaning process — and the right people following it — makes all the difference.
Need help defining that rhythm? It might be time to rethink how your Office Cleaning is managed.