Most cleaning problems are scope problems. The crew cleaned what they were told to clean; you expected something different. A written checklist that both parties have reviewed and agreed to before the first clean eliminates most of these disputes. Use this as a starting point for building your own scope document.
Nightly Tasks (every cleaning visit)
- Empty all trash receptacles; replace liners
- Wipe down all desk surfaces (personal items left in place unless hot-desk protocol specifies otherwise)
- Clean and sanitise all restrooms: toilet, sink, mirror, floor, fixtures; restock paper products and soap
- Vacuum all carpeted areas
- Damp-mop hard-floor entries and breakroom
- Sanitise high-touch points: door handles, light switches, copier and shared device controls
- Spot-clean glass partitions and interior door glass
- Straighten common-area furniture
- Wipe breakroom countertops and table
- Clean breakroom sink and faucet
- Empty breakroom trash and recycling; replace liners
Weekly Tasks (once per week, specified night)
- Wipe conference table fully (not just ring areas)
- Clean conference room whiteboard and marker tray
- Wipe AV equipment surrounds and remotes
- Wipe exterior of breakroom appliances: microwave, coffee station, refrigerator
- Clean inside microwave
- Wipe window blinds (accessible horizontal surfaces)
- Vacuum upholstered furniture
- Sweep and mop stairwells if applicable
- Damp-wipe lobby furniture
Monthly Tasks (scheduled in advance)
- Carpet spot treatment: traffic lanes and entry areas
- Hard-floor scrub (VCT) or burnish (polished floor)
- Clean inside refrigerator
- Wipe all light-switch plates and outlet covers
- Wipe baseboards in high-traffic areas
- Wipe exterior of all cabinet and drawer fronts
Quarterly or As-Scheduled
- Hot-water carpet extraction
- VCT strip and re-coat (annually for most offices)
- Interior window cleaning
- Ceiling vent and diffuser wipe-down
How to Use This List
This is a starting template, not a complete scope. Your space has specifics — floor types, restroom configurations, server rooms that require dry-wipe protocol, areas with restricted access — that a template cannot anticipate. Have any vendor you consider review this list with you and produce a written scope that is specific to your facility.
A vendor who will not put their scope in writing is a vendor who does not want to be held to it.