Keeping an office clean is often seen as a checklist exercise. Desks, meeting rooms, reception areas — they all get their fair share of care. Yet, the places where staff relax, eat, and socialise tend to slip through the cracks. As someone who’s been cleaning offices across London for over a decade, I can say this with certainty: the staff room and office kitchen deserve far more attention than they usually get. These aren’t just side spaces — they’re the heart of any workplace. When they’re kept spotless, morale goes up, sickness rates go down, and everyone feels more respected and valued.
Let’s take a closer look at why these two areas should be treated as a top cleaning priority, not an afterthought.
The Most Overlooked Corners Of The Office
Office cleaning contracts often focus on visible, client-facing zones. The reception sparkles, desks get dusted, and glass partitions gleam. But once you walk into the staff room or kitchen, the standards tend to slip. You’d be surprised how many times I’ve seen pristine boardrooms sitting just metres away from a sticky microwave and a fridge full of forgotten lunches.
It’s easy to understand why this happens. Staff areas aren’t part of the public face of the company. Clients rarely see them, so they don’t seem as urgent. Many office managers assume that employees will keep these spaces tidy themselves. In theory, that sounds fair — adults should clean up after themselves. But in reality, shared responsibility often turns into shared neglect.
Crumbs collect on tables, coffee spills dry up unnoticed, and food odours begin to settle in. Before long, what was meant to be a relaxing space turns into something no one wants to spend time in. When cleaners are told to “just give the kitchen a quick once-over”, those messes build up quietly until they start affecting hygiene, morale, and even the company’s image.
A well-planned cleaning schedule that includes deep cleaning for staff rooms and kitchens is not a luxury — it’s a necessity.
High-Traffic, High-Touch: The Germ Hotspots Of Every Office
Staff rooms and kitchens are some of the busiest areas in any workplace. Dozens, sometimes hundreds, of people pass through them daily. They make coffee, heat meals, chat with colleagues, and touch the same handles, kettles, and fridge doors over and over.
In cleaning terms, these are what we call high-touch zones. Every switch, button, and surface is a potential carrier of bacteria and viruses. A light wipe-down won’t do much good if it’s only done occasionally. Cross-contamination can happen fast, especially in cold and flu season. I’ve seen entire teams fall ill because a single contaminated kettle handle went uncleaned for too long.
The Hidden Dangers Behind Everyday Surfaces
Let’s break down just a few areas where germs tend to thrive:
- Microwave handles and buttons – touched by dozens of hands, often with food residue.
- Fridge doors and shelves – spills, crumbs, and expired food all contribute to bacterial growth.
- Worktops and tables – home to everything from coffee stains to crumbs, often wiped with the same sponge used on other surfaces.
- Sinks and taps – perfect breeding grounds for mould and bacteria if not disinfected regularly.
- Kettle handles and coffee machines – constantly used, rarely deep cleaned.
Professional cleaners know that it’s not just about looking clean. It’s about maintaining hygiene standards that stop bacteria spreading from one employee to another. Using the right cleaning agents, disinfecting high-touch surfaces, and rotating cloths and mops between zones are small habits that make a huge difference.
Where People Eat, There’s No Room For Compromise
One of the most overlooked facts about office hygiene is that most staff members eat or prepare food in the same small kitchen or staff room. Even in offices with hundreds of workers, that one kitchenette sees constant use. This alone makes it one of the most sensitive spaces from a health and safety standpoint.
Eating areas should meet a higher standard of cleanliness than ordinary office zones. Food residue, crumbs, and moisture can attract pests, lead to unpleasant smells, and even cause health hazards. London’s Health and Safety at Work regulations are clear: employers have a duty to provide safe, hygienic facilities for food preparation and consumption. Yet too many workplaces rely on basic cleaning routines that don’t go far enough.
The Psychology Of Clean Eating Spaces
Clean kitchens don’t just reduce germs — they change the way people feel about their workplace. When staff walk into a spotless kitchen, they’re more likely to keep it that way. On the other hand, if they see sticky worktops and overflowing bins, the mindset quickly becomes, “Why bother?”
That mental shift matters. People treat their workspace based on how it’s maintained. If management puts effort into keeping shared areas pristine, employees respond with more respect and care. It creates a loop of good habits — something every office could benefit from.
Food Safety Isn’t Optional
Even something as simple as cleaning the microwave correctly matters. Food splatters left behind can harden and turn into breeding grounds for bacteria. Regular disinfection, fridge checks, and bin sanitisation should be part of any professional cleaning plan.
Office kitchens often contain the same hygiene risks as small commercial kitchens but without the same level of oversight. Treating them with equal seriousness can prevent everything from mild stomach bugs to pest infestations.
A Reflection Of Management And Workplace Culture
You can tell a lot about an organisation by looking at its staff kitchen. If it’s clean, organised, and smells fresh, it says the company cares about its people. If it’s chaotic, smelly, and neglected, it sends a very different message.
As a professional cleaner, I’ve seen how staff interpret these details. When employees notice that management invests in keeping their rest areas clean, it builds quiet respect. It tells them that their comfort matters, not just their output.
Cleanliness Builds Trust And Morale
A clean staff room shows attention to detail and thoughtfulness. It’s one of those subtle factors that improves workplace satisfaction without anyone realising why. People feel more relaxed during breaks, conversations flow better, and that sense of “we’re valued here” grows stronger.
For office managers, this isn’t just about hygiene — it’s about leadership. When staff rooms and kitchens are prioritised in cleaning budgets and schedules, it demonstrates consistency and care. It shows that standards apply everywhere, not just where clients can see.
Reducing Staff Turnover Through Careful Maintenance
It might sound far-fetched, but maintaining a clean and comfortable kitchen can actually help reduce staff turnover. Employees spend a surprising amount of time in these communal areas, especially during busy days. When those moments of rest happen in a pleasant, hygienic space, it makes a genuine difference to wellbeing and job satisfaction.
Neglected staff facilities, on the other hand, have the opposite effect. They contribute to low morale and resentment. No one wants to eat lunch in a dirty room or wash their mug in a grimy sink. The smallest details often have the biggest impact.
The Professional Cleaner’s Perspective: What Works Best
From a cleaner’s point of view, staff rooms and kitchens need both daily attention and scheduled deep cleans. A quick tidy isn’t enough — these spaces must be disinfected, refreshed, and kept under constant review.
Here’s how the most effective offices handle it:
1. Daily Cleaning Routine
- Empty and sanitise bins.
- Wipe all surfaces with food-safe disinfectant.
- Clean and dry sinks and taps.
- Wipe microwaves, fridges, and kettles externally.
- Mop floors with antibacterial solution.
2. Weekly Or Fortnightly Deep Clean
- Clean inside microwaves, fridges, and cupboards.
- Check and discard expired food.
- Descale kettles and coffee machines.
- Sanitise handles, switches, and drawer fronts.
- Clean behind appliances and under counters.
3. Staff Cooperation
The best results come when cleaning professionals and office staff work together. A few clear rules — like labelling food, emptying mugs, and reporting spills — can make maintenance far easier. Good cleaning relies on teamwork, not just contracts.
Cleaner, Healthier, Happier Workplaces Start In The Kitchen
If you want a thriving office, don’t just polish the boardroom — polish the kettle. The state of your staff areas reflects everything about how your company operates. It affects morale, health, productivity, and the overall impression employees take home at the end of the day.
For office cleaners like me, prioritising these spaces is a matter of pride. A clean kitchen tells a story — one of care, respect, and professionalism. It’s where the day begins for many workers, with the first cup of coffee, and where it often ends, with the final chat before heading home. Keeping it spotless isn’t just hygiene — it’s good business sense.
So next time you review your office cleaning plan, take a good look at your staff room and kitchen. If they’re shining, your team will be too.
