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Office Cleaning Requirements

When workers leave their offices at the end of the day, a cleaning crew typically comes in to tidy and freshen up the place for the next day. Business offices have high expectations for the appearance and cleanliness of their domain. Employee premises are supposed to provide a safe and healthy environment in which to do their work. Whether you do it yourself or hire out the work, the tasks are the same. Develop checklists and protocols to ensure your offices are clean.

  1. Supplies

    • Get adequate supplies to carry out your cleaning tasks. Buckets, mops, vacuum cleaner, lint-free cloths, scouring sponges, rubber gloves and a cart to hold supplies are starters. You'll need bleach for toilets and sinks, desktop and surface cleaners to wipe down surfaces, furniture polish, glass cleaner for mirrors and windows, floor cleaners and rug shampoo. Add disinfectants and air fresheners if clients request them. An inventory system can help you maintain your product levels.

    Emptying the Trash

    • A wastebasket typically sits next to each desk or cubicle in an office. Employees toss Styrofoam products, plastic wrap, aluminum cans, staples, paper products and uneaten foods. Depending on the wishes of the office management, trash sorting for recyclable items may or may not be required. After trash is removed, a clean plastic trash liner is placed at the bottom of the trashcan as a spare and another one is tied into place on the basket itself.

    Recycled Products

    • Companies often provide recycle bins so that their employees can sort out their waste and participate in sustainable environmental protocols. Recycled product removal should depend on the amount collected and collection space available.

    Vacuuming Carpets

    • Carpets should get vacuumed daily using commercial grade HEPA, (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtered vacuums. HEPA filters trap more particles including those as small as 0.3 microns that would otherwise float through office air. Remove gum by first scraping with a blunt knife and then rubbing with solvents like WD40 and eliminate stains and odors with rug shampoos. Notify management of torn carpet fibers that can pose a safety threat.

    Dusting & Wiping

    • Offices should be free of dust and dirt. Periodic top-down cleaning should include wiping down file cabinets, wall clocks and other hanging objects. Desks and other furniture should be wiped down weekly along with computers, printers and other equipment. Remove all smudges and fingerprints. Use nontoxic cleaning products to help avert exacerbating allergies. Air conditioning vents and ducts should be cleaned professionally once a year to eliminate mold and dust.

    Restrooms

    • Toilets, urinals and sinks require sanitizing with bleach or similar germ-killing products. Stains and marks on doors and counter tops need to be wiped. Mirrors should sparkle. Remove any cobwebs from overhead or wall lighting.

    Break Rooms

    • Break rooms are the unavoidable messy areas. Even with popular "Your Mother Doesn't Work Here" signage, many employees shirk their share of cleaning duties. Nonetheless, the insides of microwaves and fridges require weekly cleaning. The outsides--where handles are touched and germs are shared--should be cleaned at least daily. Mop floors and wash tabletops daily. Clean up spills when they happen. Set up a cleaning roster and hope for the best.

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