What’s Included in Office Cleaning (and What’s Not)
Hiring an office cleaning company sounds simple… until you realize every company defines “basic cleaning” differently. One team might vacuum and take out trash. Another might actually sanitize restrooms, wipe fingerprints, and leave the place looking polished.
Here’s what’s typically included in professional office cleaning — and what usually falls outside the standard scope, unless you request it.
What’s Included in Standard Office Cleaning
Office cleaning should feel consistent. That means you should be able to walk in the next morning and know exactly what to expect — without having to point out the same things every week.
Below are the areas most offices want cleaned on a recurring schedule.
Restrooms
Restrooms are one of the most important parts of an office clean. Even if everything else looks “fine,” a neglected restroom stands out fast.
Most standard office cleaning includes wiping and disinfecting restroom surfaces, cleaning toilets and sinks, spot-cleaning mirrors, and mopping restroom floors.
Breakroom / Kitchenette
Breakrooms are high-traffic areas where spills and germs build up quickly.
Standard office cleaning typically includes wiping countertops and tables, cleaning the sink area, wiping the exterior of appliances (microwave, fridge, etc.), and cleaning the breakroom floor.
Trash Removal
Trash seems basic — but how it’s handled makes a big difference.
Office cleaning generally includes emptying office trash cans and replacing liners as needed. Some companies will also remove trash to a designated dumpster area if access is available and instructions are provided.
Floors (Vacuuming + Mopping)
Floor care is one of the biggest “first impression” items in an office.
Standard cleaning usually includes vacuuming carpeted areas and mopping hard floors in common areas, breakrooms, and restrooms. High-traffic spots like entryways and hallways tend to need the most attention.
Common Areas
Your lobby, entrance, hallways, conference rooms, and shared spaces set the tone for the entire business.
Standard office cleaning typically includes straightening and tidying the area, wiping obvious fingerprints/smudges, and making sure the space looks professional and cared for.
High-Touch Surfaces
This is one of the biggest differences between a “quick clean” and a professional clean.
High-touch surfaces often include things like door handles, light switches, railings, and shared surfaces that people touch daily. These areas are easy to miss — but they matter for both appearance and hygiene.
What’s NOT Included (Unless Requested)
This is where confusion usually happens. Most office cleaning companies don’t automatically include deep-detail tasks in a standard recurring clean — not because they won’t do them, but because they need to be scheduled and priced appropriately.
Here are common items that are usually not included unless you request them:
Inside Desk Areas / Paperwork
Office cleaning is built around privacy and professionalism.
Most teams do not move papers, open drawers, or clean inside desk areas. If wiping desktops is included, it’s typically done around items — and never in a way that disrupts someone’s workspace.
Inside Appliances
Wiping the outside of a microwave or fridge is common. Cleaning inside them is usually an add-on.
If you want interior appliance cleaning, it’s best to schedule it separately or build it into a rotation.
Deep Detail Work
Items like baseboards, vents, blinds, deep buildup removal, and detailed scrubbing can absolutely be done — but they aren’t typically part of a maintenance clean.
These are great add-ons for quarterly refreshes or deeper services.
Window Washing (Interior/Exterior)
Some office cleaning includes spot-cleaning fingerprints from glass doors. Full glass cleaning or exterior window washing is usually a separate service.
Supply Restocking
Every building is different. Some businesses provide supplies (paper towels, toilet paper, soap) and want the cleaning team to restock. Others prefer staff to handle it.
If you need supply restocking, make sure it’s clearly listed in your cleaning plan so it’s done consistently.
What to Ask Before Hiring an Office Cleaning Company
If you want a smooth, long-term cleaning relationship (and not constant miscommunication), here are a few questions that help you compare companies clearly:
What’s included in your standard office cleaning checklist?
Do you sanitize restrooms every visit?
Do you clean around desks and paperwork without moving items?
Do you work after hours, and how do you handle keys/codes?
Do you have a process for extra requests or special projects?
How do you handle security and locking up after the clean?
Our Approach: Consistent, Private, and Professional
At Best Ever Cleaning, our office cleaning is built around the three things commercial clients care about most: consistency, privacy, and safety.
Our team is background-checked, trained, and held to clear quality standards — and we clean in a way that respects your workplace, your employees, and your business operations.
Want a Quote for Office Cleaning?
We provide professional office cleaning in Huntington, Barboursville, Charleston, and surrounding areas in West Virginia. If you’re looking for a reliable team, we’d love to help. Click here to request a quote and we’ll follow up with next steps.
