What Is It Called When You Clean Office Buildings?

Mela Leni

Quick Answer:

Cleaning office buildings is commonly referred to as commercial cleaning, office cleaning services, or in broader terms, facilities cleaning. In Australia, these services are typically classified under the commercial property maintenance or facilities management sectors.

But ask anyone who actually works in or runs a commercial cleaning business, and they’ll tell you—it’s about so much more than wiping desks and vacuuming carpets.

What Is Office Building Cleaning Officially Called?

In the professional services industry, the act of cleaning office buildings is most accurately labelled as commercial cleaning or office cleaning. These terms are used interchangeably in Australia, though “office cleaning” narrows in specifically on corporate and administrative environments.

For example:

A cleaner maintaining a legal firm in Melbourne’s CBD? That’s office cleaning.
A team cleaning a warehouse, retail store, or gym? That’s more broadly commercial cleaning.

In business directories, tenders, and government codes, the official classification usually sits under:

ANZSIC Code 7311 – Building and Other Industrial Cleaning Services

This includes:

Regular office cleaning
Post-construction clean-up
Window cleaning
Carpet steam cleaning
Sanitary bin servicing

Why Do We Have So Many Terms for Office Cleaning?

Because no two buildings—or businesses—are the same.

Here are just a few of the terms you’ll hear in Melbourne’s cleaning industry:

Office Cleaning – Routine cleaning of workspaces, often out-of-hours.
Commercial Cleaning – A broader category including retail, hospitality, medical, and more.
Contract Cleaning – Ongoing services arranged via formal agreements.
Janitorial Services – More common in the US, but sometimes used here in larger facilities.
Facilities Services – Includes cleaning, but often bundled with waste removal, maintenance, and security.

The name tends to change depending on who’s paying the bill or what industry they’re in. But the goal’s always the same—keep the workplace clean, compliant, and comfortable.

What Do Office Building Cleaners Actually Do?

A lot more than most people think. Anyone who’s ever walked into a spotless kitchen at 7am knows that magic didn’t happen on its own.

Common office cleaning tasks include:

Emptying bins and recycling
Sanitising desks and high-touch points
Vacuuming and mopping floors
Cleaning toilets, showers, and shared facilities
Dusting ledges, blinds, and vents
Cleaning kitchens and restocking consumables

Advanced or periodic tasks might include:

Carpet steam cleaning
Window and glass partition cleaning
Floor polishing and sealing
Disinfecting with fogging equipment
Post-event or builder’s clean-ups

Melbourne’s commercial cleaning companies often tailor their services based on location and building type. For instance, offices in Southbank’s high-rise towers need different schedules and safety procedures than a ground-level co-working space in Fitzroy.

Who Hires Office Cleaning Services?

Nearly every business that operates in a shared workspace. Here’s a snapshot of who’s usually doing the hiring:

Small business owners – often looking for once- or twice-weekly visits.
Facility managers – in charge of multi-floor buildings or corporate campuses.
Strata committees – who arrange cleaning for common areas like lobbies, lifts, and toilets.
Co-working operators – needing daily attention to high-traffic zones.
Government departments – often through formal tender processes.

Many companies in Melbourne prefer outsourcing over hiring in-house. It’s more flexible, ensures professional-grade results, and often costs less than maintaining internal cleaning staff.

Real Insight: What Office Cleaning Feels Like When It’s Done Right

There’s something calming about walking into an office that’s been freshly cleaned.

The subtle citrus scent in the air. Vacuum lines on the carpet. A sparkling sink in the staff kitchen. It’s one of those things that’s easy to overlook—until it’s missing.

Psychologically, clean environments are linked to:

Increased productivity
Reduced sick leave
Higher staff satisfaction
Better client impressions

In fact, a recent survey by Safe Work Australia found that cleanliness was ranked among the top five environmental factors influencing employee wellbeing.

Social proof helps too. Major organisations often include “clean, COVID-safe facilities” in their hiring and promotional material. Because these days, hygiene is reputation.

What Does Office Cleaning Look Like in Melbourne Specifically?

In Melbourne, the commercial cleaning sector is well-developed, with providers catering to everything from boutique consultancies in Collingwood to government offices in Spring Street.

A few local trends include:

Eco-conscious products – More clients request biodegradable or low-allergen cleaning solutions.
Out-of-hours cleaning – Evening and early morning cleaning is standard, especially in high-rise offices.
COVID-safe services – Touchpoint disinfection, fogging, and hand-sanitiser restocking remain common.

And then there’s flexibility. Melbourne businesses—particularly post-pandemic—are requesting hybrid schedules, adjusting their cleaning needs based on changing staff attendance.

FAQ: Common Questions About Cleaning Office Buildings

Q: Is there a difference between office cleaning and commercial cleaning?

A: Yes, but only in scope. Office cleaning is a type of commercial cleaning focused on workplace settings like admin offices, tech firms, or coworking hubs.

Q: What time do cleaners usually work?

A: Most office cleaning is done before 8am or after 6pm to avoid disrupting staff.

Q: Do cleaners provide supplies?

A: Usually, yes. Most commercial cleaning companies provide their own equipment and products, but businesses can request eco or hypoallergenic options.

Final Thoughts

So, what’s it called when you clean office buildings?

It’s called commercial cleaning, office cleaning, or sometimes contract cleaning—but beyond the labels, it’s a critical support service that keeps modern workplaces functional, professional, and safe.

Melbourne’s business owners know that hiring the right cleaner can make or break a work environment. From sparkling glass doors to disinfected desks, the impact is quiet but powerful.

To understand how much you should be paying, or what service levels to expect, this article on Office Cleaning Melbourne breaks it down with practical, local insight.

And if you're managing staff or workspace hygiene, Safe Work Australia's cleaning guidance offers solid advice backed by national health standards.

After all, no matter what you call it—cleaning keeps everything moving.