End of Year Cleaning Checklist for Businesses

What Should Businesses Clean Before Closing for Christmas?

Before closing for Christmas, businesses should focus on high-touch areas, washrooms, floors, bins, and back-of-house spaces to reduce bacteria buildup, odours, and return-to-work issues in January.

A good end-of-year clean helps protect staff and visitors, prevents pest risks, and makes reopening smoother.

The Christmas Close Cleaning Checklist (Quick Version)

High-touch points

• Door handles, push plates, handrails

• Light switches, lift buttons, shared keypads

• Reception counters, shared desks, phones

Washrooms

• Toilets, urinals, sinks, taps

• Soap dispensers, hand dryers, sanitary bins

• Floors, walls around sinks, mirrors

Floors and entrances

• Mats and entrance areas

• Hard floor cleaning and protection as needed

• Spot clean corners and behind doors

Kitchens and break areas

• Worktops, microwaves, fridges, kettles

• Bin stores and food waste areas

• Touch points like cupboard handles

Waste and odour control

• Empty bins and replace liners

• Clean and sanitise bin lids and surrounds

• Deodorise problem areas and drains

A Simple Sector Guide

Offices

• Meeting rooms, shared equipment, kitchen points, washrooms, and entrance mats.

Hospitality

• Reception and guest touchpoints, washrooms, floors, back-of-house transit routes, waste areas.

Education

• Touch points in corridors and classrooms, washrooms, sports areas, changing rooms, and bin stores.

Facilities Management

• Prioritise risk zones and high traffic areas first, then schedule deep clean tasks where needed.

What People Forget Most Often

• Behind toilets and under sinks

• Bin lids and bin-wheeled handles

• Mop heads and reusable cloths that need changing

• Drains and wet areas that cause smells over closure

FAQs

How far in advance should we plan an end-of-year clean?

Aim to plan at least 1 to 2 weeks ahead to ensure you have the right supplies and time.

Should we deep clean or just maintenance clean?

Do a targeted deep clean in high risk areas, and a thorough maintenance clean everywhere else.

What is the fastest way to reduce odours over closure?

Empty bins, clean bin areas, and treat drains and wet zones to prevent smell buildup.