By SDB Clean
Give the cleaner a clear brief
An office cleaning checklist says what needs cleaning. A handover explains how the work can happen in your particular workspace. For a small St Albans office, a single page is often easier to maintain than a long document that nobody updates. Name one person who can answer questions and keep a dated version of the agreed scope available to both the office contact and cleaning team.
Define room priorities and frequency
List each area and the tasks that matter most: toilets, kitchen surfaces, meeting rooms, reception and floors. Separate tasks expected at every visit from periodic detail work. If the office has a meeting-heavy day or an unusual amount of foot traffic, tell the team in advance. Agree what should be prioritised when an occupied room cannot be accessed, instead of leaving the cleaner to guess.
Set rules for desks and equipment
A clear-desk rule helps cleaners reach surfaces without moving confidential papers or personal belongings. Identify desks that can be cleaned and any areas that should be left alone. Screens, keyboards and other electronics need appropriate instructions and should not be treated like ordinary worktops. Agree whether equipment cleaning is included and which manufacturer-approved method applies before it is attempted.
Record access and closing arrangements separately
Confirm the cleaning window, the named contact and whether staff will still be present. Share keys, alarm details and access codes securely with authorised people, rather than printing them on a checklist visible to visitors. Explain which doors must be checked at the end and who should be contacted if there is a problem. Update arrangements when staff or access permissions change.
Agree supplies and waste handling
Specify who provides products, equipment, bin liners and washroom supplies. Identify ordinary waste and recycling points, and explain any site-specific disposal rules. Specialist or hazardous waste should be handled under a separate appropriate arrangement. Use a simple stock note so missing soap, liners or paper can be reported before the next visit.
Use a short, repeatable quality review
Check a small set of agreed outcomes: accessible kitchen surfaces, washroom presentation, bins and floors. Record the date, the area and the issue clearly if something needs attention. Avoid judging completion only by scent or by whether a room looks tidy. Review the brief when the team grows, rooms change use or a different cleaning frequency is needed.
Copy this handover structure
Office contact: ____. Cleaning window: ____. Rooms and visit priorities: ____. Periodic tasks: ____. Desk and equipment rules: ____. Supply responsibility: ____. Waste arrangements: ____. Secure access instructions: held separately. Completion checks and feedback contact: ____. Ask SDB Clean to agree the scope before the first visit so both sides have the same expectations.
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