In a coworking space, cleanliness is not an “extra”: it is part of the product. When there is constant turnover of people, shared areas and peak occupancy, a well-designed and comprehensive approach to cleaning reduces incidents, improves the experience and sustains the image of the space in the long term.
At Weldon, as a facility services company, we often see that coworking spaces which grow fast and become more professional are the ones that view cleaning as a measurable system, not a reactive task. The difference is noticeable in the atmosphere, in the reviews and most of all in the loyalty.
What do we mean by comprehensive cleaning in a coworking space?
Comprehensive cleaning is not “wiping down”. It is an approach that combines daily routines, periodic deep cleaning and peak time protocols, with quality control and the replenishment of consumables when necessary.
In practice, it involves coordinating floors, bathrooms, kitchens, windows, textiles (upholstery, carpets), contact points, waste management and details that have a direct impact on perception: smells, brightness, visual order and the state of common areas.
When working with clients, at Weldon we structure it as a full comprehensive cleaning company service that adapts to specific schedules, capacity and type of user (residents, hot desks, project-based teams, events). The key is to ensure the plan is realistic and consistent.
Why comprehensive cleaning is critical in coworking spaces
Coworking spaces combine factors that increase the risk of “wear and tear” of the space: high turnover, shared surfaces and intensive use of rooms, booths and coffee areas. When cleanliness falls short, problems soon follow: complaints, poor impressions, health issues and loss of trust.
Furthermore, coworking spaces compete on experiences. A user may tolerate a plain table, but will not tolerate a neglected bathroom or a sticky kitchen. Comprehensive cleaning protects your value proposition because it keeps the visible “standard” each day.
- Well-being and health: less germs at contact points and better environmental quality.
- Reputation: Cleanliness is reflected in reviews, trade visits and renewals.
- Productivity: a clean and tidy environment reduces distractions and improves comfort.
- Stable operation: fewer breakdowns due to uncleanliness (filters, screens, printing areas).
At Weldon we often insist on the simple idea that coworking is a workspace, but also a hospitality space. Therefore, comprehensive cleaning must be maintained to a “welcome” standard even on peak days.
Hotspots: where dirt is noticeable (and where it is often overlooked)
There are areas that everyone looks at and areas that no one seems to notice… until they are the origin of a problem. A good plan identifies both types and defines those responsible, frequency and method. In coworking spaces, the most sensitive points are often those of repeated contact and damp areas.
Contact points and intensive use
If you have hot desks, telephone booths or meeting rooms that rotate several times a day, these elements become dirt “accelerators”. Comprehensive cleaning should include quick (and visible) micro-routines during off-peak hours.
- Tables, chair arms and armrests.
- Handles, push-buttons, switches and push panels.
- Shared equipment: printers, screens, controllers, whiteboards.
- Cabins: interior, grilles, floor and contact points.
For reference, in protocol-driven environments, the cleaning discipline is much stricter. Without being the same, this approach inspires good practice in coworking spaces: at Weldon we apply learnings from services such as hospital cleaning to define methods, appropriate products and controls at critical points.
Damp areas and eating areas
Bathrooms and kitchens not only require cleaning: they require odour control, limescale removal, disinfection and in-depth checks. In coworking spaces, an “adequate” kitchen is perceived as a premium service; a dirty kitchen is perceived as neglect.
Another important aspect is the flow. Coworking spaces which hold events or high traffic behave, at certain times, like commercial spaces: lots of people coming in, going out and using common areas. Therefore, when planning it is often useful to rely on similar logics as those applied to the cleaning of shopping centres, adjusting touch-ups to peak hours.
Recommended frequency: a practical guide to avoid falling short
There is no single valid frequency: it depends on capacity, stall to toilet ratio, events and whether there are hot desks. Even so, a reference table helps to organise the plan and ensure that comprehensive cleaning covers the everyday and the “invisible” aspects (grilles, skirting boards, high windows) that often accumulate dirt.
| Frequency | Recommended tasks in coworking spaces | Objective |
| Daily | Complete bathrooms, replenishment of consumables, cleaning of kitchens, emptying of waste bins, cleaning of floors in common areas, cleaning of contact points in rooms and hot desks | Ensure visible standard |
| 2-3 times/week | Intensive cleaning of booths, cleaning of accessible windows, occasional descaling in kitchen, cleaning of upholstery in areas of intensive use (depending on material) | Reduce accumulated wear and tear |
| Weekly | Carpeting (if applicable) or technical scrubbing, baseboards, corners, areas behind furniture, scheduled disinfection of shared equipment | Preventing blind spots |
| Monthly | All windows and glazing, cleaning of grilles/accessible vents, polishing or maintenance of floors (depending on type), checking for odours and persistent sources of odour | Improve “new” feeling |
| Quarterly/Semi-annual | Deep cleaning of upholstery and carpets, specific treatments, cleaning at height if there are inaccessible elements, comprehensive review of the plan | Restoring quality and durability |
At Weldon we usually adjust these frequencies with a technical visit and a mapping of actual usage. Sometimes the problem is not a “lack of hours”, but poor distribution between zones and times of the day.
How to design a comprehensive cleaning plan that really works
The most common mistake is to copy a traditional office cleaning plan. A coworking space needs a more dynamic approach: touch-ups based on times, fast protocols between reservations and a quality control visible to the user.
1) Diagnosis by zones and flows
Start by zoning: reception, open space, rooms, booths, kitchen, bathrooms, “quiet” zones, storage, printing areas and access areas. Then identify the flow: which areas are used in peak times and which are saturated during events. This reading avoids over-cleaning irrelevant areas while neglecting critical ones.
2) Check-lists and measurable standards
A check-list is not bureaucracy if it is used correctly, it is in fact the best way to ensure consistency. Define simple standards (“bathroom without visible marks”, “streak-free mirrors”, “dirt-free kitchen”, “crumb-free floor”) and review results. In comprehensive cleaning, the important thing is that the standard is repeatable week after week.
3) Smart schedules and touch-ups
In coworking spaces, cleaning just before opening is not enough if the space is full by mid-morning. It often works best to combine a daily cleaning with short, discrete touch-ups. For this, the office cleaning methods are a good starting point, but with the added consideration of the logic of rotation and “hospitality” that coworking spaces require.
In our case, when we implement a plan in a coworking space, we usually agree with the manager on a “map of moments”: what is cleaned first thing in the morning, what is touched-up during lunchtime and what is left for deep cleaning after hours, minimising interference with users.
Products, sustainability and perception: what you don’t see also counts
Comprehensive cleaning is not just about cleaning more, but about cleaning better. Suitable products, correct dosage and tools (microfibre, double bucket systems, technical mops) make all the difference in results and caring for materials. They also help to avoid “chemical” odours that make sensitive people uncomfortable.
If your coworking space is all about well-being, a sustainable approach will be a good fit; thus involving a reduction in the use of plastics, lower impact products and processes that improve indoor air quality. And if the space has a high turnover (including day passes or visitors), it is worth considering similar logics to the cleaning of tourist apartments: not because of the type of property, but because of the need to leave each area ready to a consistent standard, time and time again.
Warning signs: when your coworking space needs to rethink cleanliness
Sometimes the problem does not emerge all at once, but is rather an accumulation. If you spot several of these signs, it’s time to review your approach and move from a “cleaning out of habit” to a well-planned, comprehensive clean.
- Recurrent complaints relating to toilets, kitchen or odours.
- Streaks on glass, mirrors or black surfaces (very noticeable in photos).
- Visible dust on grilles, skirting boards, corners and areas behind furniture.
- Persistent stains on carpets or room upholstery.
- Uncontrolled consumption of paper, soap or bags (lack of clear routine).
At Weldon, when one of these signs appears, we usually propose a simple review: a walk-through of critical areas, a “before and after” photo in blind spots and a frequency adjustment. Most of the time, small changes can restore a sense of care without costs soaring too high.
Common questions from coworking managers
What is the difference between disinfection and comprehensive cleaning?
Disinfection is a part of the process, focused on reducing microbial load. Comprehensive cleaning is the complete framework that includes disinfection where applicable, but also maintenance, detail control, frequency and verification. In coworking space, it is the combination of all of the above that sustains the standard.
How do I prevent cleaning from annoying users?
With planning: performing noisy or more invasive tasks outside working hours, short off-peak touch-ups and discreet procedures in work areas. When the plan is smart, the cleaning becomes almost invisible, but the result is noticeable at all times.
What should I ask of a supplier to ensure quality?
In addition to the quote, ask for a zoning plan, frequency, products and a control method (check-lists, monitoring, audits). In coworking spaces, quality is sustained by routine + measurement, not by generic promises.
A clean coworking space conveys professionalism even before someone sits down to work. If you want your space to feel cared for every day, comprehensive cleaning should be part of the operation. At Weldon our approach is that of a plan tailored to actual usage, with clear standards and touch-ups where they really make an impact, so that the user experience is consistent and the space maintains its value over time.