Daily Office Cleaning Checklist for Facilities Managers

As a facilities manager, maintaining a clean and healthy work environment is one of your top priorities. It's not just about keeping the office tidy—it's about supporting staff wellbeing, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, and presenting a professional image to visitors.

In London's fast-paced office culture, especially in high-traffic zones like Westminster, Canary Wharf, and Shoreditch, daily cleaning is essential. This article provides a comprehensive checklist to help you manage your cleaning team or contractor efficiently and consistently.

Why a Daily Cleaning Checklist Matters

A structured cleaning routine helps prevent the build-up of dirt and bacteria, reduces the spread of illness, and ensures that your office remains presentable at all times. For facilities in Central London, where external pollution and dense occupancy are common, daily attention to detail makes a significant difference.

A cleaning checklist creates consistency, sets expectations for staff or contractors, and helps you monitor performance with clarity.

Daily Office Cleaning Checklist

The following is a room-by-room breakdown of essential tasks to be completed each working day.

1. Reception Area

The reception is the face of your business. It should always look clean, organised, and welcoming.

• Vacuum entrance mats and floor
• Dust and wipe down the reception desk and counter
• Clean glass doors and remove fingerprints
• Wipe door handles, buzzers, and entry keypads
• Empty bins and replace liners
• Straighten chairs and reading materials
• Clean and sanitise sign-in devices or tablets

2. Workstations and Desks

Whether staff have dedicated desks or operate in a hot-desking environment, workstations must be disinfected daily.

• Wipe down all desks and surfaces
• Clean keyboards, phones, and mouse devices
• Remove dust from screens and monitors
• Empty desk bins
• Tidy visible cables and under-desk areas

Encourage employees to clear their desks at the end of the day to allow thorough cleaning.

3. Meeting and Conference Rooms

These rooms are often used by staff, management, and clients—keeping them clean is essential.

• Clean tables, chairs, and remote controls
• Disinfect high-touch items like phones and AV equipment
• Dust window ledges and blinds
• Clean glass partitions or walls
• Remove waste and restock supplies (markers, sanitiser, etc.)

Consider placing a "room cleaned" sign to show that the space is ready for use.

4. Kitchen and Break Areas

Shared kitchen spaces are hygiene hotspots and should be cleaned with extra care.

• Wipe down counters and cupboard handles
• Clean inside and outside of microwaves, fridges, kettles
• Empty all kitchen bins and recycling
• Disinfect sink areas and taps
• Sweep and mop floors
• Check and remove expired food items
• Refill consumables such as soap, paper towels, and coffee supplies

Pay special attention to fridge and microwave handles, which are frequently touched.

5. Toilets and Washrooms

Clean washrooms are essential for health and employee satisfaction.

• Clean and disinfect toilets, urinals, and basins
• Polish mirrors
• Clean taps and soap dispensers
• Empty sanitary bins and general waste
• Mop floors with disinfectant
• Refill toilet paper, soap, and paper towels

In high-traffic buildings, washrooms may require two or more checks per day.

6. Floors and Corridors

Well-maintained floors enhance the appearance of the entire office and reduce the risk of slips and falls.

• Vacuum all carpeted areas, especially walkways
• Mop hard floors using suitable disinfectant
• Spot clean visible stains
• Check and clean under desks and corners

Entrance mats should be cleaned thoroughly to prevent outside dirt from spreading indoors.

7. Shared Equipment and High-Touch Surfaces

Disinfection of frequently touched surfaces helps prevent the spread of illness.

• Clean light switches and door handles
• Disinfect lift buttons and stair railings
• Wipe shared printers, copiers, and scanners
• Clean water cooler taps and vending machines

Consider providing hand sanitiser stations near high-touch areas.

8. Waste Management

Bins should be emptied and cleaned daily to avoid odours and contamination.

• Empty all bins in desks, kitchens, and toilets
• Replace bin liners
• Wipe bin lids and sides
• Separate recycling from general waste in accordance with local council rules

Overflowing waste can quickly damage an office's image—this task should never be missed.

Managing Cleaning Teams and Contractors

To ensure consistent quality:

• Provide printed or digital copies of the checklist
• Conduct weekly walkthroughs and random quality audits
• Train all cleaners on the correct use of products
• Rotate responsibilities to avoid repetition or shortcuts
• Encourage staff feedback for areas that may need attention

For outsourced services, ensure your cleaning provider updates you regularly and adheres to agreed standards.

Conclusion: A Clean Office Starts with Structure

A daily cleaning checklist is essential for maintaining hygiene, comfort, and compliance in your workplace. By following a clear routine, you protect the health of your team, impress visitors, and demonstrate professionalism.

In London, where competition and expectations are high, structured office maintenance is not a luxury—it's a business necessity.

Looking for help managing daily office cleaning in London?

GCS Maintenance offers reliable, flexible cleaning solutions across Zones 1–3, with tailored checklists for every site. Contact us for a free inspection and cleaning plan designed to match your space.