How Often Should an Office Actually Be Cleaned?
Under-cleaning an office costs more than you'd think: post-pandemic studies show visibly untidy workspaces reduce productivity and increase sick days. Over-cleaning wastes budget. Here's a practical rhythm for small UK offices of 5–30 people.
Daily (or every visit)
Empty bins, wipe kitchen surfaces and the microwave, refill soap and paper, disinfect toilet touchpoints, and spot-mop entrance mats. These are the small tasks that most affect how clean an office feels.
Weekly
Vacuum all carpets, mop hard floors, dust desks and monitors (leave keyboards and screens to the user to avoid liability), clean glass doors and internal partitions, and descale kettles.
Monthly to quarterly
Dust high surfaces and light fittings, clean inside the fridge, wash internal windows, and deep-clean carpets in high-traffic areas. Air vent covers should be wiped quarterly — dusty vents are a common trigger for allergies among staff.
Shared kitchens deserve extra attention
The kitchen sponge is one of the germiest items in any workplace. Replace weekly and disinfect daily. Fridges should be emptied and wiped every Friday afternoon to avoid the Monday-morning smell.