What do we mean by “general workplace cleaning”?
General workplace cleaning (sometimes called routine or maintenance cleaning) covers the day-to-day and scheduled weekly tasks that stop dirt, dust and litter from accumulating. Typical inclusions for office cleaning and shared commercial spaces:
- Empty and reset bins; replace liners
- Vacuum carpets and entry mats; dust mop or damp mop hard floors
- Wipe desks and meeting tables; spot clean glass
- Clean kitchens/tea points: benches, sinks, appliances’ touch points
- Sanitise bathrooms: fixtures, mirrors, partitions, consumables
- Disinfect high-touch points (lifts, handles, rails, switches)
- Light dusting of accessible surfaces
This is your front-of-house standard what staff and visitors see every day. It keeps the environment pleasant and reduces the day-to-day grime that fuels odours and wear.
What is “deep cleaning”?
Deep cleaning goes beyond appearance to tackle the build-up you can’t fix with routine passes. It’s methodical, slower and equipment-heavy, often delivered by a commercial cleaning crew outside trading hours. Typical inclusions:
- High dusting (tops of cupboards, ducting, exposed beams, vents)
- Detail edging (skirtings, corners, under desks and equipment)
- Carpet restoration (hot-water extraction, stain treatment, odour control)
- Upholstery and workstation screens (fabric-safe processes)
- Hard-floor restoration (scrub and dry, machine polish, seal where applicable)
- Kitchens (degrease splashbacks, fridge seals/shelves, dishwasher filters)
- Bathrooms (descale taps/fixtures, grout detail, floor machine scrub)
- Windows and partitions (streak-free internal/external where accessible)
- Behind/under appliances and printers, cable nests, skirting voids
Think of deep cleaning as periodic asset care: it resets surfaces, extends lifespan and improves hygiene where day-to-day tasks can’t reach.
Cleaning Vs Deep Cleaning: the practical differences
How to decide which you need right now
Use this quick test:
- Looks clean but smells musty? You likely need deep cleaning (carpet extraction, edge detail, bathroom descaling).
- Visible litter, crumbs, fingerprints today? You need general cleaning (and possibly more frequent touch-point sanitising).
- Dust lines at skirtings, vents or cable races? Deep clean.
- Staff complaints about smudged glass and bins? General clean uplift.
- Allergy/respiratory complaints in certain rooms? Deep clean with high dusting and improved filtration.
Maintain daily. Restore quarterly.
Keep presentation high with office cleaning, then schedule deep cleaning to reset carpets, bathrooms, vents and edges without downtime.
How often should you deep clean an office?
There’s no one-size-fits-all, but as a Melbourne-style baseline:
- Carpet extraction: every 6–12 months, more often in receptions and corridors
- Upholstery/screens: every 6–12 months (or when visibly soiled)
- Bathrooms (descale/grout detail): quarterly
- Kitchens (degrease, fridges, dishwashers): quarterly
- High dusting & vents: quarterly in CBD sites; half-yearly in lower-dust environments
- Hard floors (machine scrub/seal): 6–12 months, depending on traffic and finish
Your office cleaning schedule handles the rest day-to-day.
Cost, value and asset life
Deep cleaning may look more expensive per visit, but it extends carpet and floor life, preventing premature replacement. It also reduces odours, improves indoor air quality, and cuts the time your daily crew spends spot-treating stubborn areas. The best value comes from pairing consistent office cleaning with smart, periodic deep cleans targeted at your highest-risk and highest-visibility spaces.
Common mistakes
- Trying to “deep clean” with daily tools: You won’t reach build-ups without the right machines and chemistry.
- Leaving edges and vents: These are dust reservoirs schedule them into every deep clean.
- Skipping drying time: After extraction or scrubbing, plan adequate ventilation and cure time.
- No photos or sign-off: Make results tangible; it keeps standards high and budgets safe.
- One giant annual blitz: Spread deep-clean tasks across the year to smooth cost and keep standards consistent.
Quick decision guide
- Daily presentation slipping? → Increase general cleaning frequency.
- Persistent odours or dust lines? → Book a deep clean.
- Lease inspection or VIP visit? → Pair a routine uplift with targeted deep tasks (glass, carpets, bathrooms).
- Seasonal change (winter/spring)? → Deep clean vents, carpets and entry matting.
FAQs
1. What’s the simple definition of Cleaning Vs Deep Cleaning?
A. General cleaning keeps spaces presentable day-to-day; deep cleaning is a periodic, equipment-heavy reset that removes built-up grime and reaches hidden areas.
2. How often should an office schedule deep cleaning?
A. As a rule of thumb: carpets 6–12 months, bathrooms and kitchens quarterly, vents/high dusting quarterly to half-yearly.
3. Will deep cleaning disrupt IT setups or hot-desk gear?
A. Your contractor should protect gear, lift cables safely and coordinate with IT. Ask for method statements before works.
4. Is deep cleaning just disinfection?
A. No. Deep cleaning focuses on soil and build-up removal (extraction, descaling, high dusting). Disinfection is a separate step for specific risks.
5.What delivers the biggest visual impact fast?
A. Carpet extraction, bathroom descaling/grout detail and streak-free glass/partitions especially at reception and meeting rooms.
6. How do I know if we got value from a deep clean
A. Ask for before/after photos, a completed checklist, stain/odour notes and a list of maintenance recommendations.
7. What’s the best way to budget for deep cleaning
A. Split the programme across quarters by zone (Q1 amenities, Q2 carpets, etc.) so standards don’t nosedive between annual blitzes.
8. Does deep cleaning help with allergies and indoor air quality?
A. Yes, removing dust reservoirs (vents, high ledges, fabric) and extracting carpets can reduce irritants.
9. Who should manage this internal teams or a contractor?
A. Pair your internal team’s office cleaning with a commercial cleaning partner for periodic deep work, plant access and compliance.
