Looking for a complete office cleaning checklist? Research from the University of Arizona reveals that the average office desk harbours 10 million bacteria—approximately 400 times more than a toilet seat. According to CCOHS, proper workplace cleaning directly impacts employee health and productivity.

This comprehensive office cleaning checklist provides Canadian businesses with actionable daily, weekly, and monthly tasks aligned with Health Canada standards, helping reduce employee sick days by up to 30%.

Why Your Office Needs a Cleaning Schedule

Office cleaning operates on three tiers, each addressing different contamination levels:

• Daily cleaning: Targets high-touch surfaces and visible dirt that accumulate throughout the workday
• Weekly cleaning: Addresses surfaces requiring deeper attention—carpets, windows, and furniture
• Monthly cleaning: Involves labour-intensive deep-cleaning tasks that prevent long-term buildup

Modern offices can harbour up to 4,800 contaminated surfaces on any given day, with elevator buttons and door handles reaching contamination levels nearly double that of other surfaces.

Daily Office Cleaning Tasks

Time estimate: 30–60 minutes for a typical office under 2,500 sq ft

Daily cleaning focuses on preventing germs from accumulating and maintaining a professional appearance. Complete these tasks at the end of each business day:

High-Priority Daily Tasks

• Empty all trash bins (10 min) – Remove garbage bags and replace with fresh liners. Even partially full bins breed odours and bacteria.
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces (15 min) – Wipe door handles, light switches, elevator buttons, and shared equipment with disinfectant spray or wipes.
• Sanitize desks and workstations (10 min) – Use disinfectant wipes to clean desktop surfaces. Do NOT spray directly on electronics.
• Clean phones and keyboards (5 min) – Use electronics-safe disinfectant wipes containing less than 70% isopropyl alcohol.
• Sweep high-traffic floors (15 min) – Sweep entryways and main corridors. Mop visible spills immediately.
• Restock bathroom supplies (5 min) – Refill paper towels, soap dispensers, and toilet paper.
• Wipe kitchen surfaces (10 min) – Clean microwave exterior, refrigerator handles, countertops, and tables.

Pro tip: Implement a “clean-as-you-go” culture by providing disinfectant wipes at each workstation. This significantly reduces the evening cleaning load.

Weekly Office Cleaning Tasks

Time estimate: 2–4 hours | Best scheduled: Friday afternoon or after hours

Weekly cleaning addresses areas that accumulate dust, allergens, and bacteria over several days:

Complete Weekly Checklist

• Vacuum all carpeted areas (30 min) – Use a HEPA-filter vacuum, paying attention to corners and under furniture
• Damp mop hard floors (30 min) – Sweep first, then mop with diluted floor cleaner solution
• Dust all furniture and surfaces (25 min) – Use damp microfibre cloths (dry dusting disperses particles into air)
• Clean windows and glass (20 min) – Use streak-free glass cleaner and lint-free cloths
• Deep-disinfect shared equipment (15 min) – Clean printers, copy machines, and door handles with disinfectant spray
• Clean conference rooms (15 min) – Wipe tables, chairs, whiteboards, and disinfect remote controls
• Sanitize trash cans (10 min) – Remove liners, wipe interior and exterior with disinfectant
• Vacuum upholstered furniture (15 min) – Use vacuum with upholstery attachment
• Wipe baseboards (15 min) – Remove dust accumulation from baseboard edges and corners
• Deep-clean bathrooms (30 min) – Scrub toilets, sinks, and mirrors; mop floors with disinfectant

Monthly Deep Cleaning Tasks

Time estimate: 4–8 hours | Difficulty: May require professional equipment

Monthly cleaning addresses deep grime, allergens, and areas that accumulate buildup over time:

• Dust high surfaces (30 min) – Clean tops of cabinets, light fixtures, ceiling vents, and crown moulding
• Clean ceiling fans and vents (20 min) – Dust fan blades and wipe or replace HVAC filters
• Deep-clean blinds (45 min) – Wipe each slat individually or soak removable blinds
• Shampoo carpets (2–4 hours) – Use carpet cleaning machine or hire professional
• Polish hardwood floors (2–4 hours) – Apply appropriate floor polish or refinishing product
• Deep-clean electronics (20 min) – Use compressed air on keyboards and computer vents
• Clean under furniture (45 min) – Move desks and cabinets to vacuum underneath
• Spot-clean upholstery (30 min) – Treat visible stains on chairs and sofas
• Deep-clean kitchen appliances (30 min) – Wipe microwave interior, clean refrigerator coils

Note: Many monthly tasks—carpet shampooing, floor polishing, high-window cleaning—are best handled by professionals with proper equipment and insurance.

Office Germ Hotspots to Prioritize

Research has identified specific areas as major germ transmission points. Prioritize these in your office cleaning checklist:

• Computer keyboards: 7,500 bacteria per square inch
• Coffee maker handles: 34 times more bacteria than a school toilet seat
• Water dispenser levers: 20 times more bacteria than doorknobs
• Office desks: 10 million bacteria total
• Door handles and light switches: Touched dozens of times daily

Best Cleaning Products in Canada

Budget-Friendly Disinfectants

• Lysol Disinfectant Spray – Canadian Tire, Walmart, ~$6–$10 CAD – Kills 99.9% of bacteria in 10 seconds
• Clorox Disinfecting Wipes – Costco, Walmart, ~$12–$18 CAD/3-pack – Convenient for daily desk cleaning
• Cyber Clean Compound – Canadian Tire, ~$10–$12 CAD – Non-liquid gel for keyboards and electronics

Eco-Friendly Canadian Options

• Attitude All-Purpose Cleaner – Made in Quebec, Canadian Tire, Well.ca, ~$5–$7 CAD – EcoLogo-certified, plant-based
• The Bare Home Starter Kit – Made in Ontario, Amazon.ca, ~$25–$30 CAD – Includes reusable glass bottle and concentrate
• Nellie’s All-Purpose Cleaner – Made in BC, Canadian retailers, ~$8–$12 CAD – Biodegradable, fragrance-free option

Professional-Grade Equipment

• Kirkland Microfibre Towels – Costco, ~$15–$20 CAD/36-pack – Reusable up to 50 washes
• HEPA-filter vacuum – Canadian Tire, Home Depot, ~$150–$400 CAD – Essential for allergy reduction

DIY vs Professional Cleaning

When DIY Works

• Small offices under 1,000 sq ft
• Fewer than 10 employees
• Daily and weekly maintenance tasks
• Budget-conscious operations

When to Hire Professionals

• Monthly deep cleaning tasks
• Carpet shampooing and floor polishing
• High-window and ceiling cleaning
• Offices over 2,000 sq ft
• Healthcare or regulated industries

Cost Comparison

• DIY monthly cost: $50–$150 CAD (supplies only) + staff time
• Professional weekly cleaning: $150–$500 CAD/month for small offices
• Professional monthly deep clean: $200–$400 CAD one-time

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should an office be professionally cleaned?

Most offices benefit from weekly professional cleaning, with high-traffic areas like lobbies and restrooms receiving attention 2–3 times weekly. Small offices with fewer than 10 employees may use bi-weekly service with strong daily maintenance.

What should be cleaned daily in an office?

Daily cleaning should include emptying trash, disinfecting high-touch surfaces (door handles, light switches, shared equipment), sanitizing desks, cleaning phones and keyboards, and restocking bathroom supplies.

How long does it take to clean an office?

For a typical 2,500 sq ft office: daily cleaning takes 30–60 minutes, weekly cleaning takes 2–4 hours, and monthly deep cleaning takes 4–8 hours.

What are the dirtiest surfaces in an office?

Computer keyboards, coffee maker handles, water dispenser levers, door handles, and phone receivers harbour the most bacteria. Keyboards can contain 7,500 bacteria per square inch—more than most toilet seats.

How much does office cleaning cost in Canada?

Office cleaning in Canada typically costs $30–$50 per hour or $0.08–$0.20 per square foot monthly. A 2,500 sq ft office with weekly cleaning costs approximately $200–$500 monthly.

Conclusion

A structured office cleaning checklist with daily, weekly, and monthly tasks is essential for maintaining a healthy, productive workplace. By prioritizing germ hotspots like keyboards, door handles, and shared equipment, Canadian businesses can significantly reduce employee sick days and project professionalism to clients.

For daily and weekly maintenance, many offices handle cleaning in-house. For monthly deep cleaning and specialized tasks, professional services deliver better results with proper equipment and training.

Need help keeping your office spotless? Contact GoodCleaner for professional office cleaning services in Ottawa!