Most commercial premises need washrooms and bins cleaned daily, floors cleaned daily or several times a week, and detail and periodic cleaning on a weekly, monthly or annual cycle. High-traffic and high-risk sites, such as shopping centres and medical facilities, need more frequent attention.
A starting point by area
- Washrooms: daily in nearly every commercial building. Retail and high-traffic sites often add mid-day checks.
- Bins and waste: daily, or more often where food is present.
- Kitchens and breakout areas: daily.
- Floors: vacuum or mop daily in busy areas, two to three times a week in quieter ones.
- High-touch points such as door handles, lift buttons and counters: daily.
- Dusting and detail work: weekly or monthly.
- Carpets: extraction at least once or twice a year, more in high-traffic areas.
- Windows: internal and external on a set cycle, often quarterly.
Factors that change the schedule
Foot traffic, building use and risk matter more than building size. A school, a medical clinic and a food court each need a different approach, even at the same floor area.
Daytime or after-hours cleaning
After-hours cleaning avoids disruption and is the default for offices. Shopping centres and hospitality sites often need daytime presence so that washrooms and public areas stay presentable while the site is trading.
Review the schedule regularly
Use inspection results and complaints to adjust frequency. If a task is always passing, it may be done too often. If it keeps failing, it may need more time or a different method.
Frequently asked questions
How often should office carpets be deep cleaned?
Commonly once or twice a year, and after spills or high-traffic periods. Light-coloured and high-traffic carpet needs it more often.
Do I need daily cleaning?
Not always. Low-use areas can be cleaned two to three times a week, but washrooms and kitchens are normally cleaned daily.
This page is general information about the topic and is not legal, financial or safety advice. Requirements vary by state, site and contract. Last reviewed 30 October 2026.