Sound familiar? “Receptionist? More like ‘office maid’ these days!” If you’ve ever felt like your job description mysteriously morphed to include dusting, vacuuming, and mopping, you’re not alone.
Many receptionists, admins, and office managers are being saddled with cleaning duties, even when it’s not officially part of their role and they know next to nothing about cleaning an office like a professional.
But hey, a clean office lobby is important. It’s the first impression visitors get of a company and no one wants to walk into a space that looks like a tornado hit it.
So whether you do have experience in cleaning or just trying to avoid a passive-aggressive Post-it note from your boss, this guide is for you.
We’ll cover everything there is to know about cleaning an office lobby efficiently and effectively, even if you’d rather be doing literally anything else.
Get cleaning supplies. There are bound to be a couple of materials and solutions hidden in a storage room somewhere in the office. Worst case, you’ll have to convince your boss to buy these. How else are you going to clean?
The materials you need don’t have to be fancy. A few essentials will do the trick:
- All-purpose cleaner for cleaning countertops and door handles
- Disinfectant for high-touch surfaces like elevator buttons or door handles. A disinfectant spray or wipes will do the trick.
- Glass cleaner for smudged windows and glass doors.
- A couple of microfiber cloths to wipe down surfaces without leaving cloudy streaks
- Mop and bucket for lobbies with hard floors.
- Broom and dustpan
- Vacuum cleaner for carpeted areas and to clean upholstery as well. Can also be used on hard flooring to get rid of dust and debris.
- Trash bags for waste disposal and collection
Pro tip: If you’re dealing with seemingly stubborn stains that have been ignored for months (or worse, years), consider getting a carpet stain remover or a degreaser (for fingerprint removal).
Your step-by-step guide to cleaning the lobby like a pro (don’t quit your job yet, just hold on for a few more weeks!)
Alright, enough complaining. Let’s get down to business. Here’s your step-by-step guide to turning that chaotic lobby into a welcoming space.
Step 1: Dust and wipe down surfaces
- Start dusting objects in high areas, like light fixtures, ceiling fans, and ledges.
- Then, move to eye-level cleaning by wiping down reception desks, tables, and decorative items with a microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner.
- Pay attention to door frames, baseboards, and other surfaces that may collect dust.
Step 2: Move onto the floor
- Clear any furniture or obstacles that might be in the way. Set them aside in a corner in the meantime.
- Sweep or vacuum hard floors to remove dirt and debris. If the vacuum has attachments choose the crevice cleaner to collect dust from edges and corners.
- Use a damp mop and floor cleaner to clean hard flooring. Wring it out to avoid leaving puddles.
- If your lobby is carpeted, vacuum the entire area including under furniture and rugs.
Step 3: Wipe down windows and doors
Cleaning windows is another crucial task when cleaning a lobby, as it can make or break customer perception. Here’s how:
- Spray a small amount of glass cleaner on a microfiber cloth (do not spray directly on the glass) and wipe in a circular motion.
- (Optional): Use a squeegee to clean large windows or glass doors.
- Remove dust and grime from window frames using a damp microfiber cloth.
Step 4: Disinfect high-touch, or surfaces that frequently come into human contact
- Door handles, elevator buttons, handrails, and reception desks are all high-touch.
- Use a disinfectant wipe or spray to clean everything on these surfaces — phones, pencil holders, laptops, computers, mice — you get the idea.
- Allow the disinfectant spray or wipes to sit for the recommended contact time.
Step 5: Take out the trash
- Gather all trash and recycling bins.
- Empty into the appropriate disposal containers.
- Replace liners or wash bins if needed.
- Return the bins to their designated areas.
Step 6: Final touches
- Arrange furniture, magazines, or any other items that might be out of place.
- Fluff pillows and cushions (if applicable).
- Check for any lingering spots or smudges (but you’ll probably skip this step).
Let’s face it: Your boss can’t expect you to clean an office lobby like janitorial companies do (so leave it to them!)
Look, we get it. You have a job to do and that probably doesn’t involve wiping down windows or taking out the trash. While a clean lobby is important, your time is even more valuable. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your productivity or sanity to keep the office looking presentable.
That’s where professionals that provide janitorial services come in. As a commercial cleaning company, we have the three es: experience, equipment, and expertise. We can tackle even the most challenging cleaning tasks that you dare not do.
The next time your boss drops the “cleaning” bomb, don’t panic. Politely remind them you’re not a professional cleaner (you might even make things worse). And that you’d be happy to connect them with a reputable office cleaning company like Craddock’s Cleaning Services.