Whether you're onboarding a new cleaning company, auditing your current cleaner, or scoping a request for quote — a clear checklist gives you a shared standard to work from. This guide covers every area of a typical Hornsby commercial premises.
Use it as a briefing document when getting quotes, as an inspection sheet after each clean, or as the basis for your cleaning scope of work. We've broken it into daily and weekly tasks for each area.
How to Use This Checklist
Print or screenshot each section relevant to your premises. Share it with prospective cleaners when requesting quotes — a cleaner who reviews it and offers specific feedback is demonstrating knowledge. One who says "yes we do all that" without question may not actually understand your site.
After each clean, do a 5-minute walkthrough with the list. Mark items as done, done poorly, or missed. Share this with your cleaner monthly — it sets a clear performance standard and reduces the ambiguity that leads to disputes.
Reception & Lobby
Daily tasks
- Vacuum or mop entry floor
- Wipe reception desk and counter
- Clean glass entry doors (fingerprints)
- Empty bins
- Sanitise touchpoints (door handles, intercom buttons)
- Straighten chairs and magazines
Weekly tasks
- Deep clean entry glass
- Dust light fittings and signage
- Clean skirting boards
- Spot-clean walls near door frames
Open-Plan Office & Workstations
Daily tasks
- Vacuum or mop all floors
- Wipe desks (if cleared)
- Empty individual bins
- Sanitise shared touchpoints (printers, phones, door handles)
- Clean kitchen / breakout counters
Weekly tasks
- Wipe monitors and keyboards (if permitted)
- Clean inside microwaves and wipe fridge exteriors
- Dust window sills and blinds
- Sanitise internal phone handsets
Meeting Rooms
Daily tasks
- Vacuum or mop floor
- Wipe table and chairs
- Empty bins
- Sanitise door handles and AV equipment
- Straighten chairs
Weekly tasks
- Clean whiteboard thoroughly
- Wipe projector screen
- Clean windows (interior)
- Dust skirting boards and cornices
Bathrooms & Amenities
Daily tasks
- Disinfect toilets (bowl, seat, handle, exterior)
- Clean and sanitise basins and taps
- Wipe mirrors
- Mop floors with disinfectant
- Empty sanitary bins
- Restock soap, paper towels, toilet paper
- Wipe touchpoints (light switches, tap handles, door handles)
Weekly tasks
- Deep scrub tile grout
- Clean exhaust fans
- Descale taps and fittings
- Clean behind toilets
Kitchen / Breakroom
Daily tasks
- Wipe benchtops and splashback
- Clean sink and taps
- Wipe exterior of appliances
- Empty bins and replace liner
- Sweep / mop floor
Weekly tasks
- Clean inside microwave
- Wipe fridge exterior and handle
- Degrease rangehood filter (monthly)
- Clean dishwasher filter
Stairwells & Common Areas
Daily tasks
- Sweep or vacuum stairs and landings
- Wipe handrails with disinfectant
- Empty any bins
Weekly tasks
- Mop stairs and landings
- Wipe skirting boards
- Clean stairwell windows
- Check for cobwebs in corners
Quarterly and Annual Tasks
Beyond daily and weekly tasks, these are typically scheduled quarterly or annually:
- Carpet steam cleaning (high-traffic offices: quarterly; low-traffic: bi-annually)
- Hard floor stripping and resealing (annually for vinyl and polished concrete)
- Window cleaning — external (quarterly)
- Upholstery cleaning — chairs, sofas (annually or as needed)
- High-dusting — ceiling fans, air vents, top of cabinets (quarterly)
- Pressure washing — building exterior, car park, loading dock (annually)
Red Flags in a Cleaning Proposal
When reviewing quotes, watch out for:
- No itemised task list — vague scope leads to arguments about what was included
- No mention of products — particularly for medical or childcare sites where TGA-listed products are required
- No police check or insurance mention — always ask for certificates
- Annual lock-in — reputable Hornsby cleaners offer month-to-month with 30 days notice
- No site inspection — a quote given without seeing your premises is guesswork
