How Often Should You Be Cleaning Your Office Washroom?

In a busy workplace, the washroom says more about your organisation than you might think. A clean, well-maintained space promotes professionalism, supports staff wellbeing, and helps prevent the spread of illness. Yet one question often goes unanswered - how often should an office washroom actually be cleaned?

The answer depends on a range of factors, including footfall, layout, and the type of facilities in use. However, by understanding key cleaning principles and regulatory expectations, you can establish a routine that keeps your office washroom hygienic, compliant, and pleasant for everyone.

1. Why Washroom Cleaning Frequency Matters

Office washrooms experience constant use throughout the working day. Without regular cleaning, bacteria, odours, and visible dirt can quickly build up which will not just affect not just hygiene in general, but also employee morale and workplace reputation.

It has already been proven by many studies showing that well-maintained washrooms improve user satisfaction and reduce sickness-related absences. In contrast, neglected facilities can contribute to cross-contamination, poor indoor air quality, and potential non-compliance with health and safety standards. A structured cleaning schedule is therefore essential, ensuring both hygiene and efficiency in daily operations.

2. Factors That Influence Cleaning Frequency

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to office washroom cleaning, but several factors can help determine how often cleaning should take place:

  • Footfall: High-traffic washrooms (e.g., in call centres or co-working spaces) require cleaning several times a day, while smaller offices may need only one or two daily cleans.
  • Size and Layout: Larger or multi-floor offices often benefit from staggered cleaning schedules to keep all facilities consistent.
  • Type of Users: Environments with visitors or clients should prioritise presentation, with frequent checks to maintain standards.
  • Facilities Provided: The presence of showers, changing areas, or accessible washrooms often requires additional cleaning and restocking attention.

3. Recommended Cleaning Schedule for Office Washrooms

While every workplace is different, the following is a useful guide for maintaining commercial washroom hygiene:

  • High-Use Washrooms: Clean and restock every 2–3 hours during operating hours. Conduct a full deep clean at least once daily.
  • Moderate-Use Washrooms: Inspect and refresh every 4–5 hours, with one full clean per day.
  • Low-Use Washrooms: Clean once daily, with light checks for supplies and spills as needed.

However, for all office types, a weekly deep clean will be enough, this includes grout scrubbing, floor machine cleaning, and air vent sanitisation which all helps maintain hygiene and extends the lifespan of finishes and fixtures.

4. Areas That Need Regular Attention

A thorough washroom cleaning routine should focus on both visible and less obvious areas:

  • Toilets, urinals, and flush plates
  • Sinks, taps, and splashbacks
  • Floors and skirting boards
  • Door handles and locks
  • Soap dispensers and hand dryers
  • Mirrors and surfaces
  • Bins and sanitary waste units

It’s also important to use approved cleaning products which are ideally eco-friendly and low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to help with maintaining air quality and protect finishes such as tiles and grout.

5. Hygiene, Health and Compliance

Maintaining a clean washroom isn’t just about appearance; it’s also a matter of health and legal compliance. Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, employers must provide adequate and clean toilet and washing facilities for all employees. This is why regular cleaning, coupled with proper ventilation and hand hygiene facilities, ensures compliance and demonstrates a proactive approach to staff wellbeing.

Introducing cleaning logs or digital monitoring systems also supports accountability and transparency helps with keeping up with cleaning as well as, providing evidence of best practice and helping to identify high-use periods that may require additional attention.

6. Creating a Cleaning Culture

A clean office washroom isn’t solely the responsibility of the cleaning team, it’s a shared effort. Encouraging staff to report issues promptly and maintain basic tidiness helps keep facilities in top condition between professional cleans.

This can be put into place by implementing simple steps like ensuring paper towels are disposed of correctly, keeping floors dry, and reporting broken dispensers all contribute to maintaining a high standard of hygiene.

Final Thoughts

There’s no universal rule for how often an office washroom should be cleaned, but regular, proactive maintenance is key to keeping the space hygienic, compliant, and welcoming.

By assessing usage levels, investing in appropriate cleaning schedules, and choosing materials that are easy to maintain, facilities teams can create washrooms that reflect well on the workplace and support healthier, happier employees.

If you need any further information about creating the right space for your organisation, Inspired Washrooms design, refurbish and fit out commercial washrooms and changing rooms across the UK, turning old spaces into fresh, inspiring places that are ready for everyday use.

To enquire about any of our services or get started on a washroom project, get in touch on 0115 671 3867 and we'll take you through the next steps!