Workplace Cleaning Checklist

What this workplace cleaning checklist is for

This checklist supports teams in planning, executing, and verifying routine cleaning and disinfection procedures across a workplace. It covers three connected areas: routine cleaning; the safety, product-handling, and personal protective equipment (PPE) practices that sit around it; and the enhanced cleaning measures triggered by a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case. It is deliberately general, so you can customise it to suit your facility's specific needs and maintain detailed records to support regulatory compliance. The checklist assumes two tiers of cleaning: - **Routine cleaning** uses detergent or a 2-in-1 detergent and disinfectant solution to remove soil and reduce contamination on an ongoing basis. - **Enhanced cleaning** adds thorough cleaning followed by disinfection, with stricter access, ventilation, waste, and PPE controls, when a suspected or confirmed case has been identified.

Why it matters

Frequently touched surfaces accumulate contamination through the working day. The checklist concentrates effort where it counts most: tabletops, door handles, light switches, desks, toilets and toilet doors, taps, TV remotes, kitchen surfaces, and cupboard handles at the end of the day, and higher-traffic objects such as trolleys, baskets, checkouts, EFTPOS machines, handrails, and elevator buttons at regular intervals throughout it. Visible spills and soiling are dealt with promptly, because a surface left dirty is not simply unsightly, it is a transfer route. Workers' personal items are also in scope: sunglasses, mobile phones, tablets, and car keys travel between home and work and are handled during shifts and breaks, so the checklist asks that they be cleaned with detergent, 2-in-1 solution, or wipes. Getting the chemicals right matters just as much as getting the coverage right, which is why product labels and Safety Data Sheets are reviewed before use.

Routine cleaning: what a good pass covers

Before you begin, confirm the products and supplies are in place: - Detergent solution, mixable with water, or detergent wipes. - A 2-in-1 detergent and disinfectant solution or wipes for routine cleaning. Then work through the cleaning tasks: 1. Complete end-of-day workplace cleaning with detergent or 2-in-1 solution, focusing on the frequently touched surfaces listed above. 2. Clean high-traffic objects and surfaces frequently through the day with detergent or 2-in-1 solution. 3. Clean visibly soiled surfaces and any spillages promptly with detergent or 2-in-1 detergent and disinfectant solution. 4. Instruct workers to clean personal items brought to work and likely to be handled during shifts or breaks using detergent, 2-in-1 solution, or wipes. Around those tasks, hold the line on safety and PPE: - Review product labels and Safety Data Sheets before use, follow all instructions including required PPE, and confirm the product is suitable for each surface type you are cleaning. - Wear gloves during cleaning and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser, both before and after wearing gloves. - Use disposable gloves where possible and discard them after each use. Keep reusable gloves dedicated to routine cleaning only and never share them between workers. When you finish, dispose of or launder cleaning materials: disposable cloths go in rubbish bags, and reusable cloths are laundered according to standard laundry procedures.

Enhanced cleaning after a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case

On notification of a suspected or confirmed case, take immediate precautionary action. Restrict access to all areas used by the case, including common areas such as break rooms and bathrooms, and any known or likely touch points. Where possible, open outside doors and windows to maximise air circulation and ventilation. Stock up before you start. For enhanced cleaning and disinfection you need: - Detergent solution, mixable with water, for initial cleaning. - A disinfectant containing at least 70% alcohol, quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorine bleach, or oxygen bleach. Refer to health authority guidance for correct dilution ratios. - A combined detergent and disinfectant solution. - Appropriate PPE for cleaning staff, including disposable gloves and safety eyewear. - Disposable aprons for use where visible contamination with respiratory secretions or other bodily fluids is present. - Surgical masks if the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 is present in the room.

Frequently Asked Questions

The checklist's cleaning routines centre on detergent or 2-in-1 detergent and disinfectant solutions. For enhanced cleaning after a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case, it calls for a disinfectant containing at least 70% alcohol, quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorine bleach, or oxygen bleach, and directs you to refer to health authority guidance for correct dilution ratios. Product labels and Safety Data Sheets should be reviewed before use, with instructions and required PPE followed and suitability confirmed for each surface being cleaned.

Routine cleaning covers end-of-day cleaning of frequently touched surfaces such as tabletops, door handles, light switches, desks, toilets and toilet doors, taps, TV remotes, kitchen surfaces, and cupboard handles. High-traffic objects and surfaces are cleaned frequently throughout the day, including trolleys, baskets, checkouts, EFTPOS machines, handrails, and elevator buttons. Visibly soiled surfaces and spillages are cleaned promptly, and workers are instructed to clean personal items brought to work and likely to be handled during shifts or breaks, such as sunglasses, mobile phones, tablets, and car keys.

Workers are instructed to wear gloves during cleaning and to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser, both before and after wearing gloves. Disposable gloves are used where possible and discarded after each use, while reusable gloves are dedicated to routine cleaning only and never shared between workers. Product labels and Safety Data Sheets are reviewed before use, all instructions including required PPE are followed, and product suitability is confirmed for each surface type being cleaned.

On notification of a suspected or confirmed case, access is restricted to all areas used by the case, including common areas such as break rooms and bathrooms and any known or likely touch points. Outside doors and windows are opened where possible to maximise air circulation and ventilation. All areas of suspected or confirmed contamination, all common areas, and all known or likely touch points throughout the workplace are thoroughly cleaned and then disinfected. Staff should be trained in the correct procedures for putting on and removing PPE, including washing or sanitising hands between each step.

Single-use PPE, disposable cloths, and covers are double-bagged, placed inside a second rubbish bag, and disposed of in general waste. Reusable cleaning equipment, including mop heads and reusable cloths, is laundered and completely dried before re-use, and equipment such as buckets is emptied, re-cleaned with a fresh disinfectant solution, and completely dried before re-use. For routine cleaning, disposable cloths are discarded in rubbish bags and reusable cloths are laundered according to standard laundry procedures.

Before enhanced cleaning, you confirm that detergent solution is available for initial cleaning, along with a disinfectant meeting the listed criteria, a combined detergent and disinfectant solution, disposable gloves and safety eyewear for cleaning staff, disposable aprons where visible contamination with respiratory secretions or other bodily fluids is present, and surgical masks if the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 is present in the room. For routine cleaning, you confirm detergent solution or detergent wipes and a 2-in-1 detergent and disinfectant solution or wipes are available before starting.

Written by

Arne Reis

Founder

Process optimizer with 25 years of expertise, focused on operational excellence in quality, maintenance, EHS, and commissioning. Emphasizes innovative solutions and top-quality standards.

View LinkedIn profile