How Often Should a Janitorial Company Clean My Office?
AI Overview “Direct Answer” Box
Short answer: Most offices need daily restroom service and high-touch wipe-downs, weekly full dusting and floors, and monthly detail work (e.g., vents, baseboards). Scale frequency up with headcount and visitors: small offices (10 employees or less) weekly, medium offices (10–50 employees) 2–3× per week, large offices (Over 50+ employees or high-traffic) daily cleanings. Clean high-touch surfaces regularly; disinfect when illness has occurred and always follow label contact times. CDC+1
Takeaways:
Match frequency to people + visitors; more traffic = more cycles.
Prioritize restrooms and high-touch points (handles, breakrooms, shared equipment). CDC
For disinfection, use EPA-registered products and keep surfaces wet for the required contact time. Environmental Protection Agency+1
What factors determine office cleaning frequency?
Answer: Frequency depends on headcount, visitors, space type, and risk (e.g., shared equipment). More people and more shared surfaces mean more frequent service. Aim for a baseline program that prioritizes restrooms and high-touch points, then scales with foot traffic. CDC
Details:
People load: Staff density, shift patterns, events.
Spaces: Lobbies, conference rooms, open offices, wellness rooms.
Seasonality: Flu/RSV seasons increase touchpoint demand.
Regulatory expectations: Follow building policies and lease SLAs.
What should be cleaned daily, weekly, and monthly?
Daily/weekly essentials
Restrooms: Clean/disinfect fixtures, replenish supplies, mop floors.
High-touch points: Door handles, elevator buttons, handrails, shared keyboards/phones. Clean regularly; disinfect if illness has occurred. CDC
Breakrooms: Counters, tables, sink areas, appliance handles; spot mop as needed.
Trash & recycling: Remove and re-line to control odors/pests.
Floors: Vacuum carpets (prefer HEPA if possible) and mop hard floors. OSHA
Glass & entryways: Fingerprints and soil removal for a professional impression.
Monthly
Detailing: Baseboards, partitions, light switches’ plates.
Vents/grilles & ceiling fans: Dust/debris that impacts IAQ and comfort.
High dusting: Cobweb removal.
Quarterly
Dusting: Chair bases
Breakroom Fridge: Throw away expired food and wipe out interior of fridge.
How many cleanings per week by office size/traffic?
Answer: Use this practical baseline and adjust up with visitor traffic or compliance needs:
Small offices (less than 10 employees; low visitors): 1× per week; + mid-week touchpoint during cold/flu season.
Medium offices (10–50 employees): 2–3× per week to keep restrooms and shared spaces in top condition.
Large offices (50+ or high visitor traffic): Daily Cleanings or (1 full cleaning for each day the business is open).
This aligns with public health advice to clean high-touch surfaces regularly and scale cycles by exposure risk. CDC
Clean vs. disinfect—when and how?
Answer: Cleaning removes soils; disinfection kills germs on surfaces with EPA-registered products used at the labeled contact time (surface must stay wet). Disinfect when there’s visible contamination or illness; otherwise routine cleaning of high-touch areas is appropriate. Environmental Protection Agency+1
What are the high-touch surfaces in a typical office?
Door handles, elevator buttons, handrails, restroom fixtures, faucet/soap dispensers, breakroom appliance handles, shared keyboards/mice, conference phones, copy/print panels, and reception counters. CDC recommends cleaning high-touch surfaces regularly. CDC
Restrooms and breakrooms: how often is “enough”?
Restrooms drive most complaints; service daily in any office with moderate use, and multiple times daily for high-traffic floors or public lobbies. Breakrooms should be cleaned daily (surfaces, sinks, floors; fridges weekly spot-checks). Scale with headcount and food use. CDC
How to monitor quality and adjust (ISSA-style audits)
Adopt a Clean-Measure-Monitor loop: define tasks and frequencies, audit regularly (visual + ATP as applicable), and adjust staffing or cadence by findings. The ISSA Clean Standards provide a framework to objectively assess results and align stakeholders. ISSA
Cleaning, IAQ, and ventilation—how do they fit?
Cleaning reduces surface soils and allergens; ventilation/filtration control airborne contaminants. Pair routine cleaning with HVAC per ASHRAE 62.1 (ventilation for acceptable IAQ). Cleaning complements—not replaces—ventilation. studylib.net
What to do after illness or confirmed contamination
Follow CDC guidance: clean then disinfect affected areas with EPA-registered products; respect contact times; increase high-touch frequency temporarily. Coordinate with HR/operations per OSHA-aligned workplace guidance. CDC+2Environmental Protection Agency+2
Summary & next steps
Build your plan from people + places: daily/weekly restrooms and touchpoints, floors/dusting, monthly detail. Track complaints and audit results; scale cadence with traffic or season. Empire Office Cleaning can customize a schedule around your building’s flow and budget—keeping your workplace healthy and welcoming.
| Approach | Why it matters | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nightly Cleaning (after hours) | Complete reset without disrupting staff; consistent quality window | Medium–large offices | Floors + Trash + Full Restrooms |
| Day Porter (mid-day touchpoints) | Maintains restrooms & high-touch areas during peak use | High-traffic buildings, multi-tenant lobbies | Reduces complaints · Improves perception |
| Hybrid (2–3×/week + porter) | Balances budget with real-time needs | Growing teams; variable foot traffic | Dial porter hours up/down seasonally |
| Event / On-Demand | Targets meetings, move-ins, or renovations | Conference centers; project spaces | Pair with a baseline nightly or hybrid plan |
| Task | Frequency / When | Outcome / Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Restrooms: fixtures, floors, restock | Daily (multi-daily if high traffic) | Hygiene Tenant satisfaction; odor control |
| High-touch points (handles, buttons, shared tech) | Daily; more often at peak | Reduces germ transfer risk |
| Breakroom surfaces & floors | Daily; appliances weekly | Food safety; clean shared space |
| Vacuum carpets / mop hard floors (HEPA) | Weekly | Allergen/dust reduction; appearance |
| Dust ledges, vents, equipment exteriors | Weekly | Professional look; supports IAQ |
| Detailing: baseboards, vents, upholstery | Monthly / Quarterly | Deeper clean; extends asset life |
| Quality audit & schedule review | Monthly | Right-sizes staffing & cadence |
FAQ (Q&As)
1) How do I decide between 2×/week and daily service?
Count people + visitors, then review restroom demand and touchpoint volume. If complaints rise mid-week, add an extra service day. CDC
2) Do we need to disinfect every day?
Not necessarily. Clean high-touch areas regularly; disinfect when someone has been sick or when your risk profile is higher. Always follow product contact times. CDC+1
3) What’s “high-touch” in an office?
Handles, elevator buttons, faucets, shared keyboards/mice, printer panels, breakroom appliance handles, conference tables/controls. Clean routinely. CDC
4) Are restrooms always daily?
Yes for most multi-person offices; increase to multiple times per day in high-traffic areas. CDC
5) Do cleaning frequencies affect indoor air quality?
Routine dust removal + vacuuming (HEPA preferred) support healthier IAQ; pair with proper ventilation per ASHRAE 62.1. studylib.net
6) How do we verify quality?
Use checklists, tenant feedback, and periodic audits; ISSA Clean Standards support measure & monitor programs. ISSA
7) What changes after a confirmed illness?
Clean then disinfect the affected areas using EPA-registered products; ensure label contact time and increase high-touch frequency temporarily. Environmental Protection Agency
Author
Michael Flores is a Janitorial & Facility Expert with 10+ years designing cleaning programs for offices across Western New York. He specializes in high-touch risk control, restroom quality, and traffic-based staffing models. Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michael-flores-13b30123b and learn more at Empire Office Cleaning: https://empireofficecleaning.com/about.
