How often should your office be professionally cleaned? The answer depends on several factors including employee count, foot traffic, and industry type. In this guide, we break down the ideal office cleaning frequency for Canadian businesses and help you create a schedule that maintains hygiene while optimising costs.

Table of Contents

Factors That Determine Office Cleaning Frequency

Before deciding on an office cleaning frequency, consider these key factors that influence how often your space needs professional attention.

Employee Count

More employees means more foot traffic, more use of shared facilities, and faster accumulation of dirt and germs. A general rule:

  • 1-10 employees: Weekly professional cleaning is typically sufficient
  • 11-25 employees: 2-3 times per week recommended
  • 26-50 employees: 3-5 times per week or daily
  • 50+ employees: Daily professional cleaning essential

Foot Traffic

Client-facing offices require more frequent cleaning than internal operations. If clients visit your office regularly, consider increasing cleaning frequency to maintain a professional image.

Industry Type

Healthcare, food service, and childcare facilities have stricter hygiene requirements and need more frequent cleaning than standard offices.

Office Layout

  • Open-plan offices: Require more frequent cleaning as germs spread more easily
  • Private offices: Can be cleaned less frequently
  • Shared workstations (hot-desking): Need daily disinfection between users

Season and Climate

Canadian winters bring additional challenges: tracked-in salt and slush, increased cold and flu transmission, and more time spent indoors. Consider increasing office cleaning frequency during winter months.

Recommended Frequency by Office Size

Office Size Employees Recommended Frequency Monthly Cost Range
Small (<1,000 sq ft) 1-10 Weekly $150-400
Medium (1,000-3,000 sq ft) 11-25 2-3x weekly $400-900
Large (3,000-5,000 sq ft) 26-50 3-5x weekly $800-1,500
Enterprise (5,000+ sq ft) 50+ Daily $1,500-3,000+

Industry-Specific Cleaning Requirements

Healthcare and Medical Offices

Frequency: Daily, often multiple times per day

Medical facilities require stringent cleaning protocols to prevent infection transmission. High-touch surfaces must be disinfected between patients, and waiting areas need constant attention.

Legal and Financial Services

Frequency: 2-3 times weekly minimum

Client-facing nature requires consistently clean environments. Reception areas and meeting rooms need daily attention even if general cleaning is less frequent.

Tech and Creative Offices

Frequency: 2-3 times weekly

Open floor plans and collaborative spaces require regular cleaning. Special attention needed for shared equipment like keyboards and conference room technology.

Call Centres

Frequency: Daily

High-density seating and shared equipment create infection risks. Headsets, keyboards, and desks need daily disinfection.

Real Estate Offices

Frequency: 2-3 times weekly

Client visits are frequent but often brief. Focus on reception areas and meeting rooms where first impressions matter.

What Should Be Cleaned Daily

Regardless of professional cleaning frequency, certain tasks should happen every day:

High-Touch Surfaces

  • Door handles and push plates
  • Light switches
  • Elevator buttons
  • Stair railings
  • Reception desk counters
  • Shared equipment (printers, copiers)

Restrooms

  • Toilet cleaning and disinfection
  • Sink and counter sanitisation
  • Mirror cleaning
  • Supply restocking (soap, paper, towels)
  • Floor mopping
  • Trash removal

Kitchen/Break Room

  • Counter wiping
  • Appliance exterior cleaning
  • Sink sanitisation
  • Trash removal
  • Table and chair wiping

General Areas

  • Trash and recycling collection
  • High-traffic floor vacuuming
  • Visible spill cleanup

What Should Be Cleaned Weekly

Weekly deep cleaning addresses areas that don’t require daily attention but need regular maintenance:

  • All floors: Complete vacuuming (including under desks) and mopping
  • Dusting: Desks, shelves, windowsills, baseboards
  • Windows: Interior glass cleaning
  • Appliances: Microwave interior, refrigerator wipe-down
  • Workstations: Desk surfaces, keyboard cleaning, phone sanitisation
  • Furniture: Chair cleaning, upholstery spot treatment
  • Restroom deep clean: Grout scrubbing, fixture polishing

What Should Be Cleaned Monthly

Monthly maintenance addresses areas that accumulate buildup over time:

  • Carpet deep cleaning: Steam cleaning or extraction (quarterly for light use)
  • Hard floor maintenance: Stripping and waxing (quarterly to annually)
  • Vent cleaning: HVAC vents and returns
  • Light fixtures: Dusting and cleaning
  • Behind furniture: Moving and cleaning underneath
  • Window blinds: Deep dusting or washing
  • Upholstery: Deep cleaning of fabric furniture
  • Kitchen appliances: Refrigerator interior, oven cleaning

Cost Analysis of Different Cleaning Frequencies

Weekly Cleaning

  • Best for: Small offices with low traffic
  • Cost: $150-400/month
  • Pros: Most economical option
  • Cons: May not be sufficient for busy offices; staff may need to handle daily tidying

2-3 Times Weekly

  • Best for: Medium offices, client-facing businesses
  • Cost: $400-900/month
  • Pros: Good balance of cost and cleanliness
  • Cons: Requires some staff involvement on off-days

Daily Cleaning

  • Best for: Large offices, healthcare, food service, high-traffic environments
  • Cost: $800-2,500+/month
  • Pros: Consistently clean environment, professional image maintained
  • Cons: Higher cost

ROI Considerations

Professional cleaning provides measurable returns:

  • 23-46% reduction in employee sick days
  • 12-15% productivity improvement in clean environments
  • Better client impressions leading to increased business
  • Extended equipment and furniture lifespan

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should a small office be professionally cleaned?

Small offices with 1-10 employees typically need weekly professional cleaning, supplemented by daily staff tidying of high-touch areas and restrooms. If clients visit frequently, consider bi-weekly service.

Should cleaning frequency increase in winter?

Yes. Canadian winters bring tracked-in salt and slush, plus increased cold and flu transmission. Consider adding extra cleaning visits during December-February, particularly for entrance areas and high-touch surfaces.

What’s the minimum cleaning frequency for an office?

Weekly is the absolute minimum for maintaining acceptable hygiene standards. Any less and you risk accumulated dirt, pest problems, and health issues. Restrooms should always receive at least daily attention, even if other areas are cleaned weekly.

How do I know if my office needs more frequent cleaning?

Signs you need increased frequency include: visible dust accumulation before the next scheduled cleaning, employee complaints about cleanliness, increased sick days, unpleasant odours, and visible dirt on floors or surfaces.

Can I reduce costs by having staff clean instead of professionals?

While staff can handle daily tidying, professional cleaning is more cost-effective for thorough cleaning. Employee time spent cleaning costs money (productivity loss), and results are often inconsistent. A hybrid approach works well: staff handle daily basics, professionals handle weekly/bi-weekly deep cleaning.

How often should high-touch surfaces be disinfected?

Daily at minimum, more frequently during cold and flu season or in high-traffic environments. Door handles, light switches, and shared equipment should be disinfected at least once daily regardless of overall cleaning frequency.

What frequency is required for healthcare offices?

Healthcare facilities require daily professional cleaning, often with multiple cleaning passes throughout the day. High-touch surfaces may need disinfection between patients. Specific requirements vary by provincial health regulations.

How often should carpets be professionally cleaned?

Office carpets should be professionally deep cleaned quarterly for high-traffic areas and bi-annually for low-traffic areas. Regular vacuuming (2-3 times weekly) extends time between deep cleans.

Conclusion

The ideal office cleaning frequency depends on your specific situation—employee count, industry, client traffic, and budget. Most Canadian offices benefit from weekly to tri-weekly professional cleaning, supplemented by daily staff maintenance of high-touch areas and restrooms.

Remember that cleaning is an investment in employee health and productivity, not just an expense. The cost of professional cleaning is typically offset by reduced sick days, improved morale, and better client impressions.

Not sure what frequency is right for your office? GoodCleaner offers flexible commercial cleaning packages tailored to your specific needs. Contact us today for a free assessment and quote!