What Is Included in Commercial Cleaning Services?

If you're hiring a commercial cleaning company — or reviewing your current contract — you need to know exactly what should be included. A vague scope leads to missed areas, disputes, and facilities that look clean but harbor germs.

This complete checklist breaks down what professional commercial cleaning services should cover.

Office & Workspace Areas

Desks & Workstations

• Desktop surface wipe-down (cleared areas only)
• Keyboard and phone sanitization (upon request)
• Chair cleaning (back, seat, armrests)
• Under-desk trash removal
• Baseboard dusting

Common Work Areas

• Conference room table wiping
• Chair arrangement and cleaning
• Whiteboard cleaning
• Presentation equipment dusting

Restrooms (Full Sanitization)

• Toilet cleaning and sanitization (inside and out)
• Urinal cleaning and sanitization
• Sink and faucet scrubbing
• Mirror cleaning and polishing
• Countertop wiping
• Soap dispenser refilling
• Paper towel and toilet paper restocking
• Floor mopping and sanitization
• Door handle and stall disinfection
• Trash removal and liner replacement
• Vent grate dusting

Break Rooms & Kitchens

• Countertop wiping and sanitization
• Sink cleaning
• Microwave interior and exterior cleaning
• Refrigerator exterior wiping
• Coffee station cleaning
• Table and chair wiping
• Floor sweeping and mopping
• Trash removal
• Recycling collection
• Cabinet exterior cleaning

Floors

Carpet

• Vacuuming all carpeted areas
• Spot treatment of stains
• Edge and corner detailing
• Periodic deep cleaning (extra service)

Hard Floors (Tile, Vinyl, Wood)

• Sweeping/dusting
• Mopping with appropriate cleaner
• Baseboard cleaning
• Periodic stripping and waxing (extra service)

Concrete (Warehouses, Industrial)

• Sweeping (mechanical or manual)
• Scrubbing with industrial equipment
• Degreasing of oil/chemical areas
• Spill cleanup

High-Touch Surfaces (Critical for Health)

Professional cleaning should always disinfect:

• Door handles and push plates
• Light switches
• Elevator buttons
• Handrails
• Reception desk surfaces
• Shared equipment (copiers, printers)
• Restroom stall doors
• Water fountain buttons
• Thermostat controls

Entrance & Lobby

• Entryway mat cleaning or replacement
• Glass door cleaning (interior)
• Reception desk wiping
• Waiting area furniture cleaning
• Magazine organization and disposal of old items
• Floor care (vacuum or mop)
• Trash removal

Windows & Glass

Standard commercial cleaning includes:

• Interior window glass cleaning (reachable)
• Glass door cleaning
• Partition glass cleaning
• Mirrors

Exterior window cleaning is typically a separate service.

Trash & Recycling

• All trash cans emptied
• Liners replaced
• Recycling collected and sorted
• Dumpster area cleanup (exterior)
• Cardboard breakdown and removal

Specialty Areas (Facility-Dependent)

Medical Facilities

• Exam room sanitization
• Waiting area disinfection
• Medical equipment area cleaning (exterior only)
• HIPAA-compliant staff training
• USP 797 standards (compounding pharmacies)

Restaurants & Food Service

• Kitchen degreasing
• Food-safe product usage
• Dining area cleaning
• Health inspection readiness

Schools & Daycares

• Classroom sanitization
• Toy disinfection (daycare)
• Child-safe, non-toxic products
• Licensing compliance support

Warehouses

• Loading dock cleaning
• Rack and shelving dusting
• High-reach dusting
• Forklift pathway clearing

What's NOT Included in Standard Commercial Cleaning

Be aware that these are typically extra services or separate contracts:

• Exterior window cleaning (above ground floor)
• Carpet deep cleaning/extraction
• Floor stripping and waxing
• Post-construction cleaning
• Pest control
• HVAC cleaning
• Graffiti removal
• Landscaping/snow removal
• Deep cleaning of equipment interiors
• Biohazard cleanup

How to Ensure You Get What You Pay For

1. Get a written scope of work — every cleaning task listed
2. Request a cleaning checklist — signed off after each visit
3. Specify products — especially for medical, food, or child-sensitive environments
4. Set quality standards — what does "clean" mean for your facility?
5. Schedule regular walkthroughs — monthly quality reviews with your account manager

Get a Commercial Cleaning Quote with Full Scope

At Impress Service LLC, we provide detailed, written scopes of work for every commercial contract. No vague promises — you know exactly what's included, what's extra, and what it costs.

Get a free quote or call (302) 746-2437 to schedule an on-site assessment.

We show up on time, every time — or your cleaning is FREE.