If your cleaning schedule was set in 2020 and hasn’t changed since, there’s a good chance it’s either costing you too much — or leaving critical zones neglected.
Because “daily” sounds responsible. And “weekly” sounds cost-efficient.
But the right answer? It has nothing to do with what sounds right — and everything to do with how your space actually functions.
This guide breaks it down by type of business, foot traffic, and risk areas — so you’re not just cleaning for appearances, but for real hygiene performance.
Start With This: What Actually Gets Touched?
Your schedule isn’t based on square metres. It’s based on human interaction.
Ask yourself:
- How many different people touch the same areas daily?
- Are there children, patients, gym members, or the general public involved?
- Do staff eat, change clothes, or handle waste on-site?
If the answer to any of those is “yes,” you’re not in a low-risk zone.
And once-a-week surface cleans just won’t cut it.
Recommended Cleaning Frequency by Industry
1. Offices (Hybrid Staff, Low Traffic)
Frequency: 2–3x per week
Why: Desks, kitchenettes, and shared meeting spaces still need regular attention — but full daily cleans might be overkill unless you’re client-facing or fully staffed daily.
Hot zones:
- Fridge handles
- Microwaves
- Meeting room chairs
- Bathroom taps and cubicle doors
Optional add-on: Monthly deep cleans to hit windows, vents, upholstery, and overlooked tech (keyboards, phones).
2. Childcare, Schools, and Education
Frequency: Daily (plus midday touchpoint clean for toilets and common areas)
Why: High traffic, shared toys, constant hand-to-surface contact. You’re not just cleaning — you’re breaking a germ cycle.
Hot zones:
- Bag hooks
- Nap mats
- Playground handles
- Toilets (child height = splash zone)
Bonus tip: End-of-term deep clean isn’t just tradition — it resets the entire ecosystem.
4. Medical and Allied Health Clinics
Frequency: Daily + cleaning between high-risk patients or procedures
Why: It’s not about appearances — it’s about compliance and cross-contamination control.
Hot zones:
- Waiting room seats
- Bathroom locks
- Treatment chairs
- Shared medical devices
Must-have: Colour-coded cloths, TGA-listed disinfectants, and proper log tracking.
5. Retail, Hospitality, and Venues
Frequency: Daily (pre-open or post-close)
Why: High public contact, food handling, and bathrooms used by strangers.
Once someone walks out thinking “that toilet was questionable”, they’re not coming back.
Hot zones:
- EFTPOS keypads
- Menus and highchairs
- Bathroom basins and bins
- Entry door handles
Big no-no: Cleaning during peak hours. It’s awkward, unhygienic, and makes staff look underprepared.
When to Scale Up or Down
You don’t need to set a frequency and stick to it blindly.
Scale up if:
- You’ve had a flu wave, an outbreak, or negative feedback
- Foot traffic increases (seasonal or event-driven)
- Staff start doing ad hoc cleaning because things “don’t feel clean”
Scale down if:
- You’ve moved to hybrid operations and parts of your site are unused
- Areas are locked or access-controlled
- Your current provider is doing more than what’s visibly needed (but you’re still paying the full rate)
Just make sure “less cleaning” doesn’t mean “no accountability.” Hygiene gaps show up quietly — then suddenly.
Final Thought: Ask for a Walkthrough, Not a Price Sheet
If your cleaner gave you a quote without inspecting the space, they’re guessing.
If they haven’t updated your schedule in over a year, they’re coasting.
You don’t need daily. You don’t need weekly.
You need cleaning frequency that matches risk, not routine.
FAQ
1. How often should our workplace be cleaned?
A. It depends on your business type, foot traffic, and hygiene risks — not just a daily or weekly habit. For example, an office with hybrid staff might only need 2–3 cleans a week, while a childcare centre or medical clinic requires daily attention and touchpoint cleans.
2. What’s wrong with sticking to a fixed cleaning schedule from previous years?
A. Cleaning needs have changed. If your schedule hasn’t been updated since 2020, you’re likely overpaying for low-risk areas or under-servicing high-risk ones. Hygiene plans should evolve with your operations and foot traffic patterns.
3. What are considered high-risk or ‘hot zone’ areas?
A. Hot zones include any space frequently touched by different people — such as bathroom taps, EFTPOS keypads, gym equipment grips, or shared toys in childcare. These areas need more frequent and targeted cleaning.
4. When should we increase or reduce our cleaning frequency?
A. Increase frequency if there’s been an illness outbreak, a spike in foot traffic, or feedback about uncleanliness. Scale down if you’ve shifted to hybrid work, closed certain areas, or if cleaners are servicing unused spaces. Just ensure hygiene quality isn’t compromised.
5. Why is a site walkthrough better than just getting a quote?
A. A walkthrough helps tailor cleaning to your specific risk zones and workflows. If a cleaner gives you a price without inspecting the space or reviewing usage patterns, they’re guessing — and that often leads to inefficiencies or hygiene gaps.
