Office Cleaning In London: A Comprehensive Guide

However, running a successful business isn’t easy. A lot of companies find it challenging to manage their office cleaning effectively alongside their other business responsibilities and choose to outsource their commercial cleaning.

But is outsourcing your office cleaning in London the right decision for you? 

In this guide, we’re going to help you answer this question. 

We’re going to demystify and simplify what’s involved in effectively cleaning an office in London, discuss how to implement eco-friendly cleaning practices, improve your office recycling, and if you choose to outsource - how to choose the right professional cleaning company. 

Office cleaning involves much more than simply tidying up desks, taking out the rubbish, and wiping down surfaces. 

Tackling office cleaning correctly involves making sure every area of your workplace is clean, hygienic, and presentable - including vacuuming carpets, cleaning windows, dusting furniture, and paying specific attention to the cleanliness and upkeep of high-traffic areas like washrooms, meeting rooms, kitchens, and other communal spaces.

If you’re going to approach your office cleaning effectively, you also shouldn’t just focus on visible areas. It’s also important to clean the parts of your office that are often overlooked such as your walls, ceilings, blinds, light switches, and door handles.

While it’s true that some of the elements of effective office cleaning can be managed internally, a lot of successful businesses are simply too busy for employees to prioritise office cleanliness alongside their other responsibilities. 

Achieving consistently high standards of office cleanliness often requires professional expertise. Professional cleaning companies have the knowledge, equipment, and eco-friendly products to deliver the best results - making sure your office always looks its best and provides a healthy environment for your employees.

As employees began to return to the office, there was a lot of focus on maintaining social distancing, and hand sanitising stations were commonplace in offices across London. 

If we fast forward to today, a lot of businesses are failing to take heed of some of the important lessons that were learned during the pandemic and don’t have a robust approach to infection prevention in the workplace. 

Infection prevention involves using the right cleaning products and techniques to eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses and implementing the right business practices to help reduce the spread of illnesses among your staff.

An effective infection control program involves several key steps:

• Encouraging proper hand washing
• Regular cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces
• Maintaining clean communal areas
• Providing hand sanitiser throughout the office
• Educating employees about infection control best practices
• Having sick leave policies to prevent the spread of illnesses

With the right approach to infection control, your business can create a healthier work environment, significantly reduce employee sick days, and maintain business continuity.

Green cleaning involves taking an eco-friendly approach to your office cleaning - not only to help protect the planet but also to create a healthier work environment for your employees. 

One of the key aspects of embracing green cleaning is choosing to use green office cleaning products, which are biodegradable and don’t contain the toxic chemicals found in traditional cleaning solutions -  making them kinder to the environment and indoor air quality. Most green cleaning products also come in recyclable packaging, further reducing their environmental impact. 

Another important part of green cleaning is water conservation and waste reduction. Eco-friendly cleaning methods typically use less water than traditional approaches, helping to reduce water waste

Embracing green cleaning also involves making the ongoing maintenance of your office more energy-efficient. This might be achieved by using the latest technology which requires less electricity than older machines, or even scheduling cleaning during off-peak hours to reduce energy consumption. 

There is a wide range of different green cleaning products available, and it can be easy to become confused about which products are going to serve your business the best and truly help the environment. This is where certifications like the EU Ecolabel become important

You can be confident that any product that carries the EU Ecolabel is effective for office cleaning, and also meets the highest environmental standards.

There are three particular types of eco-friendly cleaning products that you might consider for your office cleaning.

• Probiotic cleaners 
  These products use beneficial bacteria to clean surfaces naturally. The good bacteria in these cleaners break down dirt and out-compete harmful bacteria to make sure your surfaces are clean and safe.
• Synbiotic products 
  These products combine probiotics with prebiotics which act as food for the beneficial bacteria, allowing them to thrive and multiply - improving its cleaning power and longevity.
• Aqueous ozone
  These products work by infusing water with ozone, to create a green cleaning solution that is incredibly effective at killing bacteria and viruses.

One of the biggest advantages of aqueous ozone is that it breaks down into water and oxygen after use, making sure that no harmful residues are left behind.

Some businesses might have reservations about the impact of switching to green cleaning products, with questions about the effectiveness and costs of their office cleaning. 

However, many green cleaning products are just as effective as traditional cleaners, and often more cost-effective in the long run - as they contribute to a healthier work environment, potentially reducing sick days and improving productivity.

Bonus Tip #1: Cleaning desks and workstations

Even when you hire a professional cleaning company, keeping your office clean, tidy, and hygienic should be something that all employees play a part in on a daily basis.

Keeping your desks and workstations clean is essential for maintaining a hygienic and productive office environment. 

Encouraging your employees to keep their personal spaces tidy not only improves the overall appearance of your office but also contributes to employee health and wellbeing - with studies showing that a clean workspace can reduce stress, enhance focus, and boost overall productivity.

Here are some practical tips to help make sure your desks and workstations stay clean:

• Implement a clean desk policy
  Encourage employees to tidy their desks at the end of each day. This habit helps to keep your office looking organised and uncluttered, and can actually improve employee focus and productivity.
• Provide the right cleaning supplies
  Having the right tools on hand makes it easier for everyone to keep their desks clean. Make sure staff have easy access to cleaning products like sprays, wipes, cloths, and sanitiser.
• Clean regularly used equipment
  When employees are cleaning their desks, advise them to pay special attention to keyboards, mice, phones, and desk surfaces. Regular cleaning of these frequently touched items can help reduce the spread of germs.

Bonus Tip #2: Starting a recycling program in your office

Implementing an effective recycling program is another great step toward creating a more sustainable office environment. 

By putting a robust recycling program in place, you're not just helping the environment - you're also demonstrating your company's commitment to sustainability. This can send a powerful message to both your employees and your clients, showing that you care about making a positive impact.

Starting a recycling program might seem a bit daunting at first, but with the right approach, it can quickly become a part of your office culture. 

Here are some steps to help you get started:

• Conduct a waste audit
  The first step to take is to look at what types of waste your office produces the most. This will help you focus your efforts where they can make the biggest difference.
• Set up clearly labelled recycling bins
  Place recycling bins in convenient and strategic locations throughout the office, and make sure they're clearly labelled so everyone knows what goes where.
• Provide training for employees
  Provide training or handbooks about the importance of recycling for your business, and clear guidance on expectations for employees. Also include practical advice on what can and can't be recycled. The more your team knows about why recycling is important, and what is expected of them - the better they'll participate.
• Regularly monitor and look for ways to improve
  It’s important to regularly check how your office recycling program is going and make adjustments as needed. This might involve tracking how much you're recycling or getting feedback from employees on ways it can be improved.

Implementing a successful recycling program relies on ongoing commitment and participation from everyone in the office. With this in mind, it might also be worth considering appointing someone who can oversee the program and keep everyone motivated.

Bonus Tip #3: Office carpet cleaning

Keeping your office carpets clean isn't just about making your workplace look good - it's also important for your office air quality and extending your carpet’s lifespan.

Vacuuming your carpets regularly is one of the most important things you can do, but effective carpet cleaning goes beyond that. 

Your office carpets also need deep cleaning to remove embedded dirt and allergens that vacuums can't reach, and if there are any unexpected spills or stains - it’s important to take the right approach, quickly

Different types of carpets are likely to require different cleaning methods such as steam cleaning, dry cleaning, and shampooing. It all depends on your carpet type and specific business needs.

So there is a lot more to office carpet cleaning than you might think, which is why we always recommend seeking the expertise of a professional cleaning company.

But in the times between each professional carpet cleaning, we’ve got some tips to help keep your office carpets in top shape:

• Set a regular cleaning schedule
  Vacuum high-traffic areas daily and other areas weekly to help prevent the buildup of dirt.
• Deal with spills immediately
  Taking quick action with the right products can stop stains from setting in, making them easier to remove.
• Use entrance mats
  Placing mats at entry points can help to reduce the amount of dirt brought into the office.

Achieving a high level of cleanliness that is also kind to the environment often requires partnering with a professional cleaning company.

With a wide choice of cleaning companies to choose from, it's important to know what to look for in a partner, to make sure you're entrusting the cleanliness of your office with a reliable company experienced with office cleaning in London. 

First of all, try to look for a company with a proven track record in office cleaning, that should understand the unique cleaning needs of different office environments.

You’ll also ideally want to choose a company that can handle all your cleaning needs, from routine office cleaning tasks to more specialised services like carpet cleaning, window washing, and infection prevention.

It’s also a good idea to look for certifications like ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 14001 for environmental management, and also membership to professional bodies like the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) to give you peace of mind that your office will be cleaned to industry best practices

It’s also important to make sure you get a clear statement of work and transparent costs for your cleaning services, to make sure there are no nasty surprises when it comes to invoices. 

When you’re evaluating different cleaning companies on cost, it’s worth noting that the cheapest option isn’t always the best - a slightly higher price might work out as better overall value if it means higher quality cleaning, healthier staff, and more environmentally friendly cleaning practices.

The cleaning company you choose will hopefully become a long-term partner for your business, so you want to ensure the agreement is right and offers real value.

Some of the key points to consider before you sign your contract include:

• Scope of services
  Make sure the contract clearly outlines all the cleaning tasks that you expect to be delivered, so there is no confusion for anyone.
• Eco-friendly practices
  Check that the company uses eco-friendly cleaning products and modern equipment that minimise environmental impact.
• Flexibility
  The needs of your business are likely to change over time. Find out how easily the contract can be adjusted as your business evolves.
• Quality control
  It’s worth asking how the company ensures consistent cleaning standards, and how they monitor the performance of their cleaning staff.
• Staff training and security checks
  Ask about the company’s approach to staff training, and the security check process for new employees. This is important to ensure both the quality of cleaning and the security of your office.
• Insurance coverage
  Make sure that the company has adequate insurance coverage to protect against any accidents or damages that might occur during cleaning.

Depending on the complexity of your cleaning contract, it might also be a good idea to consider including a Service Level Agreement (SLA). 

An SLA sets out specific performance standards and details what will happen if these aren't met, giving you extra peace of mind.

But no matter which partner you choose, it's important to put the right assessment steps in place to make sure they're consistently delivering the high cleaning standards you expect. 

One way to do this is through regular inspections, where you check the quality of cleaning not just in obvious areas like floors and desks, but also the less visible spots like under furniture, and behind equipment. Paying attention to these commonly overlooked areas can reveal a lot about the thoroughness of your cleaning service.

Your employees can also provide valuable insights on the quality of your office cleaning partner. 

Consider setting up a simple system for staff to report cleaning issues or share feedback. This not only helps you keep tabs on the cleaning quality but also shows your team that you value their input.

Regular communication with your cleaning company is also an important factor in maintaining high standards. If problems are identified during your cleaning assessments, it's important to address them quickly and constructively with your cleaning partner and work together to find a solution. 

With more than 20 years of experience providing high-quality, sustainable cleaning services across London, we're the ideal partner to help keep your workplace clean, hygienic, and healthy - at the same time being kind to the environment.

We place sustainability at the heart of everything we do by using eco-friendly cleaning products, and the latest innovations in cleaning techniques and technology to minimise our environmental impact.

We also appreciate that your business is completely unique and needs a tailored approach to office cleaning - which is why we create customised cleaning plans tailored to your specific requirements and schedule.

Our experienced team is fully trained, vetted, and committed to delivering excellent results, ensuring your office always looks its best.

We're proud to hold ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications, which means you can trust us to provide consistent, high-quality, and environmentally responsible office cleaning services.

Plus, with our flexible contracts, we can adapt to your changing business needs without any hassle.

By choosing Green FM, you're not just hiring a cleaning service - you're partnering with a company that genuinely cares about your office cleanliness, your employee wellbeing, and the planet.