How Often Should a Commercial Space Be Deep Cleaned?

As someone who’s worked with countless facilities managers, office supervisors, and property owners, one question we hear all the time is: "How often should we deep clean our commercial space?"

Let’s break it down.

Why Deep Cleaning Matters for Commercial Spaces

Routine cleaning is essential—but it only covers the surface. Deep cleaning tackles the grime, bacteria, and allergens that build up over time in carpets, vents, tile grout, furniture, and high-touch areas. According to the CDC, high-touch surfaces in commercial spaces can harbor harmful bacteria and viruses for days if not properly disinfected.

In fact, the EPA notes that indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, especially in facilities that lack routine deep cleaning of vents, upholstery, and carpets.

If your workspace has:

• High foot traffic

• Shared workstations or equipment

• Restrooms and breakrooms used daily

• Clients or customers visiting regularly

  
  

...then deep cleaning isn’t a luxury—it’s a business necessity. Clean spaces contribute to healthier employees, better first impressions, and even improved productivity. A study by ISSA found that regular deep cleaning can reduce absenteeism by up to 46% in office environments.

How Often Should Different Spaces Be Deep Cleaned?

The answer depends on your industry, traffic, and usage. Here's a general guide:

Offices:

• Frequency: Every 3 to 6 months

• Why: Dust buildup in vents, carpet allergens, and neglected touchpoints like phones and keyboards can affect health and productivity. In a 2022 study by the American Lung Association, workplaces with routine deep cleaning had 30% fewer respiratory complaints from employees.

  
  

Medical & Healthcare Facilities:

• Frequency: Monthly or more

• Why: These environments require frequent deep sanitation to meet strict health regulations and protect patient safety. The CDC recommends frequent disinfection of all clinical areas, especially exam rooms and shared medical equipment.

  
  

Retail Stores:

• Frequency: Every 2 to 4 months

• Why: Heavy foot traffic and changing product displays can leave behind hidden dirt, spills, and dust. Clean floors and surfaces also reduce the risk of slips, contamination, and negative customer perception.

  
  

Educational Institutions:

• Frequency: Quarterly and during school breaks

• Why: High student density means more germs and more cleaning needed, especially in cafeterias and restrooms. Schools that adopted routine deep cleaning protocols saw a 20–40% drop in student absenteeism related to illness, according to ISSA.

  
  

Warehouses & Industrial Facilities:

• Frequency: Semi-annually or quarterly, depending on processes

• Why: Dust and debris can impact machinery, safety, and product integrity. OSHA recommends regular deep cleaning of production areas to minimize fire hazards and contamination.

  
  

Restaurants & Hospitality:

• Frequency: Monthly

• Why: Health inspections are frequent, and deep cleaning ensures compliance and a positive guest experience. Areas such as kitchens, dining areas, and restrooms require constant sanitation to meet health codes.

  
  

What Does a Commercial Deep Clean Include?

At Jan-Ex, our deep cleaning service typically includes:

• Carpet and upholstery extraction

• Hard floor scrubbing and buffing

• Disinfection of high-touch surfaces

• Restroom sanitization

• Breakroom appliance and surface cleaning

• Window and partition detailing

• Air vent dusting

  
  

We also tailor our checklist based on your space. For example, a healthcare office may require additional disinfection protocols for waiting rooms, while a law firm may focus more on upholstery, boardrooms, and shared desks. That’s why we recommend you schedule a free walkthrough so we can build a cleaning plan around your exact needs.

Signs It’s Time for a Deep Clean

If you're not sure when your last deep clean was, that’s a sign in itself. Other indicators:

• Persistent odors that linger even after regular cleaning

• Dull-looking or stained floors and carpets

• An increase in employee sick days

• Complaints from clients, visitors, or tenants

• Dust accumulation on vents, ledges, or behind furniture

Neglecting deep cleaning can lead to bigger costs down the road—both in terms of repairs and lost productivity.

Let's Make It Easy: Schedule a Free Walkthrough

Whether you're managing a single office or multiple facilities across New England, Jan-Ex is here to help. We’ll walk your space, assess your needs, and provide a customized deep cleaning plan—no pressure, no obligation.

Schedule a free walkthrough today and get ahead of dirt before it impacts your business.

For immediate assistance or to fast-track your cleaning request, email cstanza@jan-ex.com.

Works Cited:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility. CDC.gov.

2. ISSA – The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association. (2022). Standards and Best Practices.

3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home.

4. American Lung Association. (2023). Health Impacts of Indoor Air Quality.

5. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (2022). Housekeeping and Maintenance Guidelines.