TL;DR: Daily cleaning handles high-traffic mess and hygiene issues. Weekly cleaning focuses on deeper tasks and restocking. A mix of both keeps spaces clean without overdoing it or overspending.
Key Takeaways:
Keeping communal spaces clean might sound simple, but it usually sparks one of the most debated questions for landlords, housing associations, and property managers: should cleaning happen every day or will once a week do? It’s not just about keeping things tidy.
How often you clean can affect your budget, the feel of your building, and how residents view the space.
Getting the schedule right isn’t just smart. It can truly make a difference to how a building feels and functions.
A communal area refers to any shared space inside a residential or commercial building that is accessed and used by multiple people.
This could be an entrance hall, stairwell, hallway, lift, or shared kitchen and lounge. These areas often deal with high foot traffic, meaning dirt, rubbish, and germs can build up quickly.
Since they’re part of everyone’s daily routine, keeping them clean is key to maintaining a pleasant and hygienic environment.
Daily cleaning might seem like overkill at first glance, especially if you’re watching the budget. But in busy buildings, it’s often the only way to keep things under control.
Here’s what a solid daily routine usually covers:
Lift buttons, handrails, door handles, and intercoms get constant use throughout the day. Without regular attention, they can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Building entrances are mess magnets. With people constantly coming and going, mud, dirt, and rubbish show up fast.
A quick daily clean helps keep things looking tidy and well-kept. It also sets the tone for the rest of the building, showing residents and visitors that the space is cared for from the moment they step in.
Overflowing bins in shared areas aren’t just unpleasant to look at. They can attract pests and become a health concern.
Spotting and sorting them early avoids bigger issues and helps maintain a cleaner, safer environment.
Small messes can quickly turn into big problems if ignored. Muddy footprints or coffee spills are easier to handle when they’re dealt with the same day.
Even something as minor as a sticky handrail or food wrapper left overnight can leave a bad impression and lead to more mess piling up.
If you’re managing an event-heavy property or planning a seasonal spike in foot traffic, daily cleaning routines can benefit from additional planning and coordination.
Our guide on how to plan cleaning for festivals and concerts shares helpful tips that also apply to busy communal areas during peak times.
For more details on what’s included in professional communal area services, see our communal cleaning page.
Weekly communal cleaning is a cost-effective choice for buildings that don’t see much daily foot traffic.
It helps maintain a clean and orderly space by handling routine tasks like vacuuming, mopping, sanitising surfaces, and keeping shared areas tidy.
For quieter properties, this schedule is often enough to keep things looking presentable without the need for daily attention.
This is the part where cleaners tackle the grime that builds up over time.
Weekly deep cleaning typically includes vacuuming carpets to remove dust, debris, and allergens that settle into the fibres. Walls, doors, and railings are wiped down to get rid of fingerprints and smudges.
These steps help restore a clean, polished look and prevent the buildup from becoming harder to manage later.
Dust builds up faster than most people realise, especially in corners, vents, and along skirting boards.
Regular weekly cleaning helps tackle the kind of buildup that often goes unnoticed during day-to-day cleaning.
These tasks help improve air quality and make shared spaces feel better maintained and healthier to use.
Shared areas like toilets and kitchens need to stay clean and well-stocked. During weekly cleaning, essentials such as toilet paper, soap, and air fresheners are refilled or replaced.
These small tasks help keep shared spaces functional and comfortable for everyone.
If your communal building occasionally doubles as an event space or hosts gatherings, post-event cleaning becomes just as important as regular schedules.
For insight on handling these cleanups properly, take a look at our article on why professional post-event cleaning is essential.
Sometimes, the most effective plan is a mix of both daily and weekly cleaning. Daily quick cleans focus on visible, high-traffic areas.
These typically include wiping down handrails, disinfecting lift buttons, emptying bins, and dealing with litter or spills that pop up throughout the day.
It’s about keeping the space fresh and preventing dirt from building up too quickly.
Weekly detailed cleans, however, cover tasks that don’t require daily attention but still play a key role in maintaining a clean and safe environment.
These often involve deeper cleaning of floors, thorough dusting in less obvious areas, and restocking shared washroom and kitchen supplies.
This step ensures nothing gets overlooked in the long term.
By combining both approaches, you get the benefit of consistent day-to-day maintenance without losing sight of the deeper work that keeps communal areas truly clean.
It’s a sensible option for buildings that need to stay presentable without stretching the budget.
We know every building is different, which is why we don’t offer one-size-fits-all packages.
At LZH Cleaning Group, we tailor our cleaning schedules to suit your building’s foot traffic, usage, and budget.
Our experienced team knows how to spot the details others miss and always works to high professional standards. Most importantly, we treat your property with care and respect.
To see what’s included in our service, visit our full communal cleaning service page.
We’ve helped dozens of property managers across the Bedford keep their communal areas clean, safe, and presentable; without wasting a penny.
Whether your building needs a light daily refresh, a deep weekly scrub, or a smart mix of both, we’re here to help you create the right cleaning schedule.
Our team can walk you through your options and tailor a plan that suits your building’s needs.
Contact us now to book a site visit or get a tailored quote.
