I’ll tell you straight away: cleaning a London office takes anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending entirely on its size, layout, condition and what you expect from your cleaner. If you want a quick vacuum, a bin change, and the loos wiped down, then you’re looking at the faster end. But if you’re after gleaming desks, spotless kitchens, and a proper deep clean, then clear the calendar.
I once got called in to clean a “small office in Shoreditch” – the manager said it wouldn’t take more than an hour. I turned up, mop in hand, and found three rooms, two toilets, a full kitchen, and a staff area that looked like it hadn’t seen a cloth since the week before Christmas. Took me four hours, not one. But here’s the thing: the client didn’t realise how much grime had built up until I showed him the before-and-after shots.
So, how much time does it really take? You’ve got to look beyond just the square footage. You’ve got to think about the number of rooms, foot traffic, whether it’s a creative space or a quiet admin floor, and how picky your staff are about crumbs in the keyboard tray. In this article, I’ll walk you through exactly how long different types of offices take to clean in London, and what you should consider when setting a schedule that works for your team – and your cleaners.
Is There a Formula for Working Out Cleaning Time?
Square Footage Can Help, But It’s Not the Full Story
You might be tempted to do some quick maths. A lot of companies use a basic estimate: about 1 hour per 1000 square feet for regular cleaning. But in reality, that’s just the starting point.
Think of it like measuring how long it takes to cook dinner based on how many potatoes you’ve got. Sure, it gives you a rough idea, but it doesn’t take into account whether you’re making a jacket spud or dauphinoise.
Here’s why the formula doesn’t always work:
- Open-plan vs. many rooms – a big open space is faster to clean than lots of small ones.
- Foot traffic – a quiet firm of four people is nothing like a bustling agency with 40 staff.
- Cleanliness levels – some offices keep things tidy, others treat the cleaner like damage control.
If you really want to get it right, you need a walk-through with your cleaner or cleaning company. That way, you can talk about expectations, budget, and the actual time needed – rather than guesswork based on square metres.
Cleaning a Small Office – What’s Reasonable?
A One-Room Setup or a Cosy Shared Space
Small offices are usually around 300–800 square feet – often one room, maybe with a loo and a kitchenette. Think start-ups, therapists, freelancers sharing a space – that sort of thing.
For a standard clean (think hoovering, wiping down desks, emptying bins, a once-over in the kitchen and bathroom), you’re looking at about 30 to 60 minutes. If you’ve only got a handful of people using the space, twice a week might be enough.
But here’s where people go wrong: kitchens and toilets always take longer than you think. I’ve had 300 sq ft offices take 90 minutes purely because the microwave looked like a Jackson Pollock painting and the toilet bowl was a chemistry experiment.
Set realistic expectations. If your cleaner’s flying through a “30-minute” job in 15, either they’re missing corners or your space is spotless – and let’s be honest, the second one’s rare in London.
Mid-Size Offices – The Reality of Cleaning Multiple Rooms
More People Means More Mess, and More Time
Now we’re talking about offices between 800 and 3000 square feet. These often include a reception, meeting room or two, staff kitchen, a couple of toilets, and a main work area.
Here, the time needed starts climbing. A typical clean could take 90 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the layout and how many people are using the space. If you’ve got different departments with their own rooms – HR, finance, creatives – expect extra time for each section.
More rooms = more surfaces, and more chances for someone to leave a half-eaten croissant on a windowsill. I cleaned an office in Soho with only 12 desks, but it had four rooms, two bathrooms, and a full break area. Took two hours even with me working non-stop.
Scheduling Tips for Mid-Size Offices:
- Daily cleans usually needed if more than 10 staff are in full-time.
- Kitchens and meeting rooms benefit from a quick lunchtime refresh.
- Keep a cleaning log – this helps staff respect the schedule and flag any problem areas.
Large Corporate Premises – Timing and Logistics
Whole Floors, Dozens of Staff, and Big Cleaning Needs
This is where things get serious. If you’re in charge of a large office space or full floor – anything 3000 square feet and up – cleaning turns into a well-oiled operation. Or at least it should be.
Here’s what makes a difference:
- Number of staff: more people = more bins, more toilet flushes, more footprints.
- Layout: glass walls and boardrooms take more polishing time than carpet tiles and cubicles.
- Usage: some floors host events, others are strictly for admin – the cleaner’s task list changes massively.
A proper daily clean for a large floor can take 3 to 5 hours, sometimes longer. That’s why many firms schedule this work out of hours – early morning before staff arrive, or evenings after everyone’s gone.
Cleaning Shifts & Coordination:
- Early morning shifts (5am–8am) are popular, especially in the City.
- Evening cleans (6pm onwards) give more time, but may clash with late-working staff.
- Some big firms opt for day porters – on-site cleaners handling small messes through the day.
If you’re hiring for a large site, go with a team rather than one cleaner – otherwise, you’ll be paying someone to do 6-hour marathons that aren’t sustainable.
Features That Affect Cleaning Time
It’s Not Just the Size That Matters
Let’s talk extras – because these can throw your timing off completely if you don’t plan ahead.
Do You Supply Janitorial Products?
Some clients expect cleaners to bring everything – mops, vacuum, sprays, bin liners – while others provide it all on-site.
If your cleaner has to lug everything across London, that adds time before they even start. Make sure you’re clear on what’s expected.
Office Location
London traffic is no joke. I’ve had jobs where the commute takes longer than the clean. If your office is tucked away in a restricted access area or has awkward parking, it may limit when and how cleaners can work.
Special Requests
Here are a few that need extra time:
- Deep cleaning carpets or upholstery
- Sanitising keyboards and phones
- Window cleaning inside and out
- Post-event clean-ups
If you need those done regularly, build them into the schedule. Don’t spring them on your cleaner the minute someone spills red wine on the breakroom carpet.
Final Thoughts – How to Plan Your Cleaning Schedule
Set Yourself Up for Success
The best thing you can do is speak with your cleaning provider about what you need, how often, and what’s realistic for your space. Don’t base your schedule on what worked in your old office or what a mate’s business does. London offices vary massively, and so do cleaning times.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
- Under 500 sq ft – 30–60 mins
- 500–1500 sq ft – 1–2 hours
- 1500–3000 sq ft – 2–3 hours
- 3000+ sq ft – 3–5 hours or more
But always factor in the people, the mess, and the expectation. If you want sparkling worktops, polished floors, fresh-smelling loos and happy staff, give your cleaners enough time to do their job properly.
Because there’s nothing worse than rushing a clean. Except maybe that office in Shoreditch with the science-experiment loo. That one still haunts me.…