How to Manage Cleaning Schedules in 24/7 Work Environments

16

Jan

Posted by: Admin

24/7 Working environments, such as airports, hotels, large corporate offices, and call centres face unique cleaning challenges. Unlike traditional offices with a clean downtime, 24/7 operations don't stop, meaning cleaning teams need to work alongside employees and customers. This means having a well-structured cleaning schedule in place to ensure health, safety, and productivity, with minimal disruption.

24/7 Workplace Demands

Before you create a cleaning schedule, you need to assess the requirements of your environment, for example:

• Airports and transport hubs need constant litter removal and washroom hygiene, meeting heavy footfall
• Hospitals require consistent sanitisation to reduce the risk of infection
• Hotels require flexible room cleaning and communal area cleaning
• Call centres need minimal disruption to avoid staff being affected.

Each business has it's unique high-priority areas that need to be cleaned more than others. When you understand your workplace demands, you have the opportunity to create an effective cleaning schedule.

Zoned Cleaning Approach

For 24/7 working environments, adopting a zoned cleaning approach makes cleaning manageable and effective. This involves breaking your work place into smaller zones, assigning cleaning staff to certain areas to ensure efficiency and accountability, for example:

• High touch surfaces including door handles, lifts, washrooms, and break rooms require cleaning numerous times a day
• Low traffic areas such as storage rooms and admin offices may need to be cleaned once daily.

When you organise your cleaning tasks by zone, it helps cleaning teams prioritise hygiene where it matters the most.

Staggered Cleaning Shifts

In a 24/7 work environment a single day cleaning crew is not enough to keep your environment clean and healthy. Adopting a staggered approach ensures consistency. We recommend the following cleaning structure:

• Daytime shift – deep cleaning and general maintenance
• Evening shift – washrooms, break rooms, and high traffic zones
• Night shift – floor buffing and large scale sanitising

Following a set structure ensures consistent cleaning without interrupting employees.

Make Use of Technology and Automation

Modern cleaning tools can make scheduling effective, such as:

• Scheduling software – track cleaning times, assign tasks, adapt to change
• Automated cleaning equipment – robotic vacuum cleaners can handle repetitive tasks throughout the day

Technology can help you improve efficiency, while ensuring your high standard of hygiene is maintained.

Deep Cleaning and Daily Maintenance

When your work environment is constant, it requires a balance of quick routine cleaning with periodic deep cleans. Daily cleaning should focus on surface hygiene, while deep cleans will ensure you comply with health and safety standards. Some examples include:

• Daily – sanitise desks and washrooms, empty bins
• Weekly – scrub floors, wash windows, sanitise equipment
• Monthly or quarterly – carpet cleaning and large scale disinfecting

Using a layered approach helps to prevent the build up of dirt and dust.

Conclusion

Managing cleaning schedules in 24/7 working environments is more than having enough resources, it requires a strategic approach, making use of technology, while balancing quick routine cleaning with deep cleaning. Sloane Cleaning Services has experience in cleaning 24/7 work environments, providing a healthy and clean workplace, while reducing disruption to your teams. Contact us now to find out more.