Having the right cleaning schedule will be a great help for your commercial space, without forgetting when the last clean was, and no surprises on discovering filth (or worse) in a place where it shouldn’t be.
One of the most common issues we see is cleaning tasks being done either too often (wasting budget) or not often enough (leading to hygiene failures or complaints).
We’ve put this quick guide together to show you which places need to be cleaned weekly that you’re probably forgetting, and which are okay to clean monthly in a commercial space, and when we refer to commercial spaces, we mean commercial kitchens, factories, warehouses, gyms, shared areas, retail units, churches, and anything that is used commercially.
Commercial areas to be cleaned weekly
Weekly cleaning should focus on hygiene-critical and high-use areas, so you don’t leave nasty bacteria sitting around, these areas that get either footfall or are touched a lot.
Floors & High-Traffic Areas
- Vacuuming carpets and entrance matting, this needs to be done at least once a week. You have no idea how dusty and dirty these areas get (understandable, as we seldom see the dust)
- Mopping hard floors with appropriate disinfectants
- Spot-cleaning stains
Touchpoints & Shared Surfaces
- Door handles (this is so frequently forgotten and is bacteria central), push plates, and handrails
- Light switches and lift buttons (elevators are very dirty and also always forgotten in a cleaning job)
- Desks, counters, and reception areas
Washrooms & Kitchenettes
- Full sanitisation of toilets, sinks, and TAPS
- Internal and external bin cleaning
Monthly Deep-Clean Tasks That Really Matter
Monthly cleaning goes beyond surface-level hygiene. These tasks target hidden dirt, long-term wear, and inspection risks. In this guide, a monthly cleaning is considered a lot break if compared to weekly; however, we see that some commercial spaces do only 1-2 deep cleans a year, which is a definite no-no.
Floors & Carpets
- Machine scrubbing of hard floors
- Carpet deep cleaning to remove embedded dirt and allergens
- Edge and corner cleaning is often missed during weekly cleans
High-Level & Overlooked Areas
- Skirting boards and wall edges
- Vents, grilles, and air returns
- Light fittings and high shelves
Kitchens & Staff Areas
- Inside fridges and microwaves
- Cupboards and shelving
- Behind appliances
Washrooms
- Descaling taps, toilets, and urinals
- Grout and sealant cleaning
- Odour treatment and drain maintenance
Places that you’ve left for months, which should be cleaned every week
Some tasks are mistakenly pushed into monthly schedules but should be done weekly or more frequently, especially in high-use premises.
These include:
- Toilet bowls and urinals
- Handwash basins and taps
- Touchpoints in public-facing areas (rails, doorknobs)
- Kitchen worktops and food-prep surfaces
- Entrance floors during wet weather
- Bathrooms/showers
Leaving these too long increases infection risk and creates a poor first impression. They may not look dirty, but we guarantee you they are.
Common Tasks Often Skipped in Local Cleaning Contracts
Always check or specify what is included in your cleaning. Some areas that seem obvious to you might not actually be included in a clean.
Frequently skipped items we see across Nottingham:
- Cleaning behind furniture and fixtures, and also dry cleaning fabric on future.
- Inside bins and bin stores
- Skirting boards and door frames
- High-level dusting
- Deep cleaning of washroom tiles and grout
This is why clearly defined weekly vs monthly schedules are essential when reviewing cleaning contracts.
How Cleaning Schedules Differ by Business Type
Offices
- Focus on desks, meeting rooms, and shared kitchens
- Monthly carpet and ventilation cleaning is key
- Less frequent deep cleans if footfall is controlled
Retail Units
- Heavier focus on entrance areas and shop floors
- Weekly attention to glass, displays, and fitting rooms
- Monthly deep cleansare needed during busy retail seasons
Hospitality & Gyms
- Daily and weekly cleaning overlap significantly
- Monthly deep cleaning of equipment, flooring, and washrooms is critical
- Higher risk of odours, bacteria, and customer complaints
Medical & Healthcare Spaces
- Strict weekly infection-control cleaning
- Monthly deep sanitisation and documentation
- High-touch surfacesare cleaned far more frequently
Seasonal Footfall & Weather: Adjusting Your Schedule
Nottingham businesses should adapt cleaning frequency seasonally:
- Winter: Increase floor cleaning due to rain, grit, and salt, everyone will have mucky shoes.
- Summer: Focus on odour control, washroom hygiene and pollen/dust
- Peak trading periods: Add interim cleans to prevent rapid build-up
How We Clean It Supports Smarter Cleaning Schedules
At We Clean It, we help Nottingham businesses build realistic, inspection-ready cleaning plans by:
- Separating weekly, monthly and periodic tasks clearly
- Adjusting schedules based on footfall and building use
- Providing deep-clean services that cover skipped areas
- Offering express cleaning when short notice is required
Whether you manage a commercial kitchen, retail unit, gym or medical space, we tailor cleaning schedules to how your space is actually used, supported by our professional commercial cleaning services across Nottingham.