What Is Maintenance Cleaning? Definition and Implementation Guide

A look behind the scenes: maintenance cleaning and its definition

Maintenance cleaning, by definition, includes regularly performed tasks aimed at ensuring cleanliness and hygiene in buildings. It is an indispensable part of ensuring a well-kept environment for employees and customers. As a rule, it is based on fixed plans that are aligned with the requirements and frequency of use of the respective premises. Typical tasks in maintenance cleaning are:

• Vacuuming: The removal of dust and dirt is often done using modern industrial vacuum cleaners. These devices also allow for efficient cleaning of large areas, reducing allergens in the process.
• Surface cleaning: Thorough wiping of work surfaces, furniture and decorative elements is often carried out with specially formulated cleaning agents. These remove visible dirt and reduce bacteria and germs.
• Emptying waste containers: The regular disposal of waste, including recyclables, ensures a clean and tidy environment. It also helps to prevent the formation of unpleasant odors, ensuring a pleasant indoor climate.
• Sanitary cleaning: In sanitary rooms, the focus is on cleaning and disinfecting toilets, washbasins, mirrors and fittings. This task ensures compliance with high hygiene standards and reduces the risk of infection transmission.
• Floor care: Hard floors are treated by wet cleaning, mopping or machine cleaning. In the process, cleaning staff remove dirt and also protect surfaces from wear and scratches. This ensures that the floor remains attractive and functional over the long term.
• Restocking supplies: Making sure soap, paper towels and toilet paper are never low is a key part of maintenance cleaning. This ensures the comfort and satisfaction of building users.

Not only does maintenance cleaning ensure that rooms are cleaned daily, it also has long-term advantages. It protects materials from wear and tear, improves the working atmosphere and conveys a professional image to the outside world. Careful planning of the individual measures creates a professional impression – among employees, guests and business partners.

Definition of basic cleaning in the context of building cleaning – flawless cleanliness

In the field of building cleaning, basic cleaning is just as important as maintenance cleaning. The definition describes it as an intensive cleaning process that goes beyond maintenance cleaning. Basic cleaning focuses on stubborn dirt and hard-to-reach areas that are not touched during everyday cleaning. The tasks involved in basic cleaning include:

• Intensive cleaning of floors: carpets, parquet and tiled floors are thoroughly treated. Depending on the material, suitable methods such as shampooing, polishing or cleaning with a steam vacuum are used. The aim is to remove deep-seated dirt.
• Removal of stubborn dirt: limescale deposits or dried-on stains are specifically removed. This often concerns kitchens, sanitary areas or production halls, where heavy soiling accumulates.
• Cleaning of walls and ceilings: vertical and hard-to-reach surfaces are also treated intensively as part of the basic cleaning process.
• Care of windows and glass cleaning: Dirt often collects on window frames, seals and edges, which is not removed by regular cleaning. Thorough cleaning of these areas increases the lifespan of the windows and enhances their appearance.
• Special cleaning of furniture and upholstery: Upholstered furniture and textile surfaces are professionally treated. The cleaning staff removes stubborn stains and heavy soiling. In this context, gentle methods are crucial.

Like maintenance cleaning, basic cleaning fulfills an essential role by definition: it ensures the long-term maintenance of materials and creates hygienic conditions that ensure a building retains its value in the long term. At the same time, thorough cleaning makes a positive impression on users, customers and business partners. Thus, basic cleaning complements maintenance cleaning and serves as the basis for a well-kept and functional environment for everyone involved.

Differences between basic cleaning and maintenance cleaning at a glance

Basic cleaning and maintenance cleaning pursue different objectives by definition, which ideally complement each other. While maintenance cleaning brings definition and structure to the daily cleaning process, basic cleaning offers a particularly intensive treatment that supports the sustainable value retention of the building in question. Alternating between regular and intensive measures creates a cleaning concept that combines hygiene and efficiency. But what exactly is the difference between the two approaches?

Regularity

• Regular cleaning at short intervals (daily, weekly)
• Carried out less frequently, usually at longer intervals

Effort

• Lower effort per unit, as it focuses on specific and selected routine processes
• High time and technical effort required

Objective

• Maintaining cleanliness and preventing wear and tear
• Removal of ingrained dirt and intensive care

Areas of application

• Standard areas such as offices, sanitary facilities or entrance areas
• Focus on hard-to-reach places and special problem areas

Practical example: targeted use of basic and maintenance cleaning

The choice between basic cleaning and maintenance cleaning depends on the specific requirements of a building. When it comes to maintenance cleaning, the definition already shows that this type of cleaning focuses on regularity and sustainability. In contrast, basic cleaning aims at intensive cleaning, which is mainly carried out at longer intervals. Together, both approaches form an efficient concept that guarantees cleanliness, hygiene and value retention.

However, the respective circumstances are crucial: the type of use, the hygienic standards and the degree of soiling. In order to find the right approach and to use resources based on demand, companies should thoroughly analyze these factors. The criteria for choosing the type of cleaning include:

• Intensity of use: High visitor numbers, as in shopping malls or train stations, require constant maintenance cleaning, whereas a basic clean is optimal for seasonal or heavily soiled areas.
• Hygiene requirements: Industries such as healthcare set strict standards that require a combination of repeated maintenance cleaning and targeted deep cleaning.
• Type of soiling: For light dirt and dust, maintenance cleaning is recommended. However, if there is stubborn dirt, intensive basic cleaning is necessary.
• Time availability: In companies with continuous operation, maintenance cleaning offers a flexible solution. In contrast, basic cleaning usually takes place outside opening hours, as it is significantly more time-consuming.

The following examples show how basic and routine cleaning are used in different areas:

Offices

• Predominantly routine cleaning
• Dust removal, cleaning of workplaces and sanitary facilities; basic cleaning for carpets or windows at longer intervals

Industrial halls

• Combination of routine cleaning and basic cleaning
• Regular removal of dust and dirt using machines; basic cleaning for stubborn dirt

Healthcare

• Constant maintenance cleaning with additional basic cleaning
• Hygiene regulations require daily cleaning; basic cleaning for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing hard-to-reach areas

Catering

• Daily maintenance cleaning and repeated basic cleaning
• Routine cleaning for kitchen and dining area; basic cleaning to remove grease and for thorough care

Quality assurance through clear guidelines: basic cleaning and maintenance cleaning

Hygiene regulations define clear standards for building cleaning. Particularly in sensitive areas such as gastronomy and healthcare, strict requirements apply that must be properly implemented. Hygiene regulations for gastronomy or guidelines for hospital hygiene set standards for cleaning.

The definition of maintenance cleaning shows how important recurring processes are for maintaining cleanliness: it ensures a hygienic environment by consistently performing routine tasks such as removing dust and dirt. In contrast to this is basic cleaning, which reaches a deeper level of cleaning and thus removes stubborn dirt.

Tips for more order and definition in maintenance cleaning – efficient building cleaning made easy

The right approach and structured planning are crucial for effective and sustainable building cleaning. Whether it's maintenance cleaning or basic cleaning, modern technologies and well-thought-out strategies increase efficiency while conserving resources.

• Use of cleaning robots: Cleaning robots offer an automated solution for large areas, for example in office buildings or industrial halls. They work precisely and reliably, reduce the time required and enable constant cleaning even outside working hours.
• Use of modern cleaning machines: From scrubber driers to single disc machines – cleaning machines optimize the process and deliver optimal results for basic cleaning. The right combination of equipment, tailored to surfaces and materials, helps to ensure a long service life.
• Creating a cleaning plan: drawing up a detailed cleaning plan structures the tasks and ensures that maintenance and deep cleaning are coordinated effectively. Such a plan takes into account the degree of soiling, the intensity of use and industry-specific requirements.
• Use of environmentally friendly cleaning products: Sustainable products are free of harmful chemicals and protect the environment. Environmentally friendly cleaning products are suitable for daily use and achieve thorough results despite their gentle formulation.
• Integration of smart cleaning: With the help of innovative digital solutions such as sensors or cloud-based applications, cleaning needs can be monitored in real time. Such smart cleaning technologies improve resource utilization and increase efficiency throughout the entire cleaning process.
• Maintenance of cleaning equipment: Well-maintained cleaning machines deliver optimal performance over the long term. Regular inspections and maintenance prevent technical failures and ensure a long service life for the equipment.

Thorough maintenance cleaning – it's all about definition and structure

Thorough and quick cleaning is the basis for well-kept and functional environments – whether in offices, industrial halls or other commercial areas. With professional cleaning equipment for industry and well-thought-out strategies, cleanliness, hygiene and efficiency can be successfully reconciled. In this context, maintenance cleaning, as defined, creates a pleasant environment and strengthens the value preservation of buildings.