How Often Should Large Offices Be Professionally Cleaned?

by Ashley Sanchez
August 1, 2025

How Often Should Large Offices Be Professionally Cleaned?

Say you’re managing two facilities: a 1,500-square-foot recycling plant with 60 employees sharing one break room, and a large office space for a field-based team that’s rarely on-site. Which one needs daily cleaning?

If you guessed the recycling plant, you’re absolutely right. But here’s what might surprise you: many cleaning companies would have recommended the opposite based solely on square footage.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for how often large offices should be professionally cleaned. The real factors go beyond office size. From my experience working with facilities across industries, I want to share the three key considerations that matter most, plus how to find a commercial cleaning provider who gets it.

Cleaning Frequency Isn’t Just About Square Footage

Many people assume bigger office spaces automatically need more frequent cleaning. That logic seems reasonable on the surface, but it misses the bigger picture entirely.

Traffic patterns and how people use your space create different cleaning tasks and needs. I worked with a 1,500-square-foot recycling plant that required daily cleaning. Despite its small size, 60 staff members constantly moved through one break room and office, tracking in dirt, food waste, and grime throughout the day. High-traffic areas like this demand a consistent cleaning schedule.

Compare that to another client with a much larger office that only needed weekly cleaning. Their team worked primarily in the field and rarely spent full days in the office. The space stayed relatively clean between visits because of lower traffic volume and fewer daily tasks contributing to messes.

This contrast illustrates a crucial point:

“It’s not just square footage. If a cleaning service only takes square footage into account without the industry or how big your business is, that could be a red flag.”

Smart professional cleaning companies look at more than just size. They ask about industry type, number of employees, and how the office is used before designing an appropriate cleaning schedule.

3 Key Factors That Determine Office Cleaning Frequency

Factor #1: Industry Type

Different industries generate different types of messes, and some are breeding grounds for dirt and debris, regardless of square footage.

High-dirt environments like manufacturing facilities, recycling plants, and food service operations require more frequent cleaning, even in small offices. The nature of the work brings in more dust, creates more grime, and exposes surfaces to contaminants that professional cleaners must address.

In contrast, industries like tech, finance, and consulting may need only light surface dusting and regular vacuuming. These lower traffic areas don’t require daily cleaning services.

The takeaway? Cleaning frequency depends on the type of business, not just how large the office is.

Factor #2: Number of Employees

The number of employees in a workspace affects how quickly shared areas become dirty. More employees equal more foot traffic, more trash, and more dust on carpeted floors and high shelves.

Shared kitchens, restrooms, and break rooms see heavy use when there are many employees. That means more trash cans to empty, more food spills, and more cleaning tasks like wiping kitchen counters or disinfecting high-touch surfaces such as light switches and door handles.

Even a small office with many employees needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain a healthy environment and professional appearance.

Factor #3: How the Space Is Used

Some spaces, even with moderate headcounts, require more cleaning because of the type of work being done. Conference rooms hosting multiple meetings daily, or workstations where client interactions take place, need more cleaning to reduce dust and unpleasant odors.

On the flip side, lower-traffic areas or spaces used primarily for storage don’t require as frequent cleaning. Adjusting cleaning frequency based on how each space is used helps save long-term costs while supporting employee satisfaction.

Red Flags When Choosing a Cleaning Provider

A professional office cleaning provider should ask questions and provide a plan that reflects your specific environment. Here’s what to watch out for:

Quotes based solely on office size: A generic price based on square footage misses many factors that influence your actual needs.
No in-person walkthrough:A provider who skips a site visit is unlikely to notice high-traffic zones or discuss cold and flu season impacts.
Limited questions: If they don’t ask about employee count, work type, or daily tasks, they’re not planning a tailored cleaning plan.

To maintain a clean office, avoid one-size-fits-all solutions. Choose a provider that builds cleaning schedules around your actual usage patterns and cleaning priorities.

Tailored Cleaning Schedules = Better Results

The best professional cleaning service will create a customized plan based on your space, staff, and workflow.

For example:

Break rooms and restrooms typically need daily cleaning because of food and hygiene use.
Conference rooms and lobbies may need 2–3x per week service to ensure a professional appearance.
Workstations and lower traffic areas like storage rooms can often be cleaned weekly.

Some spaces might also need monthly cleaning for less critical areas, and quarterly deep clean tasks like upholstery cleaning, carpet cleaning, or floor waxing to stay ahead of dirt buildup and maintain a hygienic environment.

Cleaning plans should also adapt to seasonal changes. For instance, flu season often requires disinfecting high-touch surfaces more frequently.

What to Ask During a Cleaning Estimate

Use these questions to find a professional cleaning company that truly understands your needs:

How do you build your cleaning schedule around increased foot traffic and high traffic areas?
Do you adjust your cleaning frequency recommendations based on industry type and number of employees?
Will your plan scale for seasonal changes or business growth?
Do you offer cleaning services like upholstery or carpet cleaning as part of a regular office cleaning package?

The right provider will answer these confidently and demonstrate a clear understanding of the many employees and departments your facility supports.

When in Doubt, Ask for a Custom Plan

If you’re unsure whether your current professional cleaning schedule is effective, ask for a tailored recommendation. A custom plan can help reduce stress, promote well-being, and increase employee productivity, especially in large or complex environments.

At ZIA Building Maintenance, we believe in creating customized cleaning plans that actually match how your space gets used. Since 1989, we’ve provided Albuquerque businesses with professional cleaning services that support their teams and deliver real results.

Make Your Cleaning Schedule Work Smarter, Not Harder

Your cleaning plan should be built around several factors, not just size. Industry type, number of employees, and how your space is used all affect how often areas should be professionally cleaned.

Whether you need daily cleaning in break rooms, weekly cleaning for lobbies, or quarterly deep clean services for carpeted floors, ZIA can help build a cleaning frequency plan that keeps your space clean and your team happy.