What Are the Overlooked Areas for Commercial Cleaning?

Commercial Cleaning’s Most Overlooked Areas

Even with regular commercial cleaning, there are several areas in a business that tend to get overlooked. These spots often aren’t in plain sight, making them easy to forget, but they can harbor dirt, germs, and allergens that impact the cleanliness and safety of your space.

Here are some of the most commonly neglected areas that need your attention:

High-Touch Surfaces

Light switches, door handles, elevator buttons, and other frequently touched surfaces are breeding grounds for bacteria and germs. Even though these areas are used constantly throughout the day, they often don’t get the attention they deserve during routine cleaning. A simple wipe-down with disinfectant wipes or sprays can significantly reduce the spread of germs and help maintain cleanliness and a healthier workplace.

Break Rooms & Kitchens

The break room or kitchen area is where employees prepare and consume food, making it one of the most critical spaces to keep clean. While countertops and floors may be wiped down occasionally, areas like refrigerator handles, microwave buttons, and cabinet handles often get neglected. These spaces are prime spots for bacteria buildup if not regularly sanitized, and they can quickly become unhygienic if left unchecked.

Under Furniture & Behind Equipment

It’s easy to overlook the areas beneath desks, chairs, and large office equipment. These spaces collect dust, food crumbs, and other debris that can affect air quality and hygiene. Regularly moving furniture and using a vacuum with a long hose attachment to reach these hidden spots will ensure your entire office is clean and free from allergens.

Air Vents & HVAC Systems

The HVAC system plays a crucial role in maintaining air quality, but it’s often neglected during cleaning routines. Dust and allergens can accumulate in vents, circulating through the air and potentially causing respiratory issues among employees. Regular maintenance and cleaning of air vents and HVAC systems are essential to ensure good indoor air quality and prevent the buildup of harmful particles.

Restrooms & Sanitation Stations

While the main parts of restrooms, like toilets and sinks, often receive attention, areas like faucet handles, soap dispensers, and door handles can easily go unnoticed. These high-touch spots are hotspots for germs, and neglecting them can lead to the spread of illness and poor hygiene standards. Regularly cleaning and disinfecting these smaller, often forgotten surfaces is key to maintaining a sanitary restroom environment.

The Risk of Subpar Cleaning Solutions

Neglecting key areas during routine cleaning can have serious consequences for your business. These overlooked spots are often the breeding grounds for germs, allergens, and other harmful substances that can affect the well-being of everyone in your space—in addition to customer perception. Here’s what you need to consider:

Employee Health and Wellness When high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, light switches, and break room equipment, are neglected during cleaning, germs and bacteria can easily spread throughout the office space. This can result in an increase in illness, absenteeism, and decreased productivity.
Customer Perception and Reputation A dirty or poorly maintained business can leave a lasting negative impression on customers, clients, and visitors. When customers encounter dirty restrooms, neglected break rooms, or dusty air vents, it can make them question your attention to detail and overall professionalism.
Legal and Regulatory Concerns Depending on your industry, neglecting cleanliness can lead to potential legal liabilities. In healthcare, food service, or manufacturing, failure to maintain sanitary conditions can violate health and safety regulations, resulting in fines or penalties.

Now that you have a better understanding of the risks involved with subpar cleaning—and know the areas that are crucial for thorough commercial cleaning—let’s explore some tools and techniques to help get you started.

A clean office is essential for your employees—but do you know which tasks are most important to complete daily? Check out our guide to learn how to properly clean and disinfect key areas in your work environment every day.

Tools, Techniques, and Cleaning Frequencies You Need to Know

When it comes to maintaining a truly top-notch business space, addressing those commonly overlooked areas is essential—but it’s also important to know how often these spaces need attention and the best ways to clean them.

While a routine cleaning schedule is important, there are certain areas that need more frequent attention to stay hygienic and safe. Fortunately, a professional commercial cleaning company has this knowledge, and they can help ensure that your business stays clean. Here’s what you should know:

High-Touch Surfaces: High-touch surfaces like door handles, light switches, elevator buttons, and countertops should be cleaned and disinfected at least once a day, especially in high-traffic areas.
Break Rooms & Kitchens: Break rooms and kitchens should be cleaned daily to prevent the buildup of bacteria from food preparation.
Under Furniture & Behind Equipment: The areas underneath desks, office furniture, and behind large equipment should be cleaned at least once a week.
Air Vents & HVAC Systems HVAC systems and air vents should be cleaned and maintained at least once a quarter. Dirty vents can lead to poor air quality, circulation of dust and allergens, and even mold buildup.
Restrooms & Sanitation Stations Restrooms should be cleaned and sanitized multiple times a day, particularly in high-traffic areas. Faucet handles, soap dispensers, and door handles are high-touch areas that need to be disinfected regularly.

To properly clean and sanitize these often-overlooked areas, commercial cleaning services rely on specialized tools and techniques. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most effective methods:

Microfiber Cloths and Wipes: These are excellent for wiping down high-touch surfaces, preventing the spread of germs without pushing them around.
Vacuum Cleaners With HEPA Filters: For hard-to-reach areas, a vacuum with a long hose attachment and a HEPA filter ensures dust and allergens are effectively removed.
Extendable Cleaning Tools: Janitorial teams use extendable tools to reach high or difficult-to-access areas like air vents, light fixtures, and behind office equipment.
Disinfectant Sprays: For surfaces that need sanitizing, disinfectant sprays are applied to kill harmful bacteria and viruses, reducing the risk of illness spreading.
Deep-Cleaning Equipment: Commercial cleaning companies may also use steam cleaners, pressure washers, and specialized tools for deep cleaning tasks.

A professional commercial cleaning company can help you keep your workplace spotless by addressing overlooked areas with precision and care. With the right equipment and cleaning techniques, janitorial services ensure that every corner of your business is clean and hygienic.

Give Your Business a High-Quality Cleaning From American Maintenance

American Maintenance’s professional commercial cleaning and janitorial services are designed to tackle those often-overlooked areas, ensuring your workplace remains spotless, hygienic, and inviting. Whether it’s high-touch surfaces or hidden spaces behind furniture, our experienced team can keep your business in top shape.

Contact us today to schedule a customized cleaning plan that meets your needs.