Reducing Germs & Allergens in Commercial Spaces
In commercial spaces, hygiene is about more than just making a space look clean! Commercial cleaning is vital to protect the health of everyone who enters that space. Whether you run an office, a healthcare centre, or a childcare service, proper cleaning plays a huge role in reducing germs and allergens.
Cleanliness expectations have changed drastically post-pandemic, and businesses must adapt to these changes to protect their clients and employees. This article explains how proactive commercial cleaning, such as our professional Newcastle window cleaning services, helps reduce germs and outlines steps your business can take to ensure a healthier environment for everyone.
Why Hygiene is Vital in Commercial Spaces
Shared workspaces are a breeding ground for viruses, bacteria and allergens. In an office space, dozens of people touch the same surfaces, such as desks, keyboards, phones, and bathroom facilities, every day. Research by the University of Arizona found that the average office desktop can harbour up to 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat!
In healthcare centres, hundreds of staff, patients, and visitors come into contact with shared surfaces such as reception counters, examination tables, door handles, and medical equipment throughout the day. And in childcare centres, many little hands touch the same toys, tables, and play equipment. In a single day, microbes can transfer from hands to surfaces and then to children, patients, staff, and visitors, fuelling the spread of colds, flu, and other infections.
But a clean workplace does more than reduce sickness and prevent absenteeism in the workplace! It can also enhance mental well-being, improve workers’ focus, and boost your business’s professional reputation. Management that places importance on hygiene shows both employees and clients that their health and well-being are valued.
Common Hotspots & High-Touch Areas
Each commercial space has its own ‘hotspots’, areas where germs and allergens are the most concentrated! Focusing on these areas during commercial cleaning is the key to preventing cross-contamination and reducing germs in your workplace. The most typical hotspot areas in offices, healthcare facilities and childcare centres are:
- Door handles, push plates, and handrails – Constantly touched by staff, visitors, and children throughout the day.
- Lift buttons and intercoms – Shared in multi-storey workplaces and medical facilities.
- Light switches, phones, and keypads – Frequently used but easily overlooked during quick cleans.
- Reception counters and waiting areas – High-traffic zones where people often rest their hands or belongings.
- Shared kitchen and breakroom surfaces – Coffee machines, microwaves, refrigerators, and sinks are common points of germ transfer.
- Toilets, washrooms, and nappy change areas – High moisture levels make them ideal breeding grounds for bacteria.
- Desks, surfaces, and treatment tables – Often wiped casually but rarely sanitised to clinical standards.
- Computer peripherals – Items that can harbour microbes for days, such as keyboards, mice, and touchscreens.
- Play areas and toys – These areas can be a breeding ground for germs, particularly in childcare and healthcare settings.
Each commercial space has its own ‘hotspots’, areas where germs and allergens are the most concentrated! Focusing on these areas during commercial cleaning is the key to preventing cross-contamination and reducing germs in your workplace. The most typical hotspot areas in offices, healthcare facilities and childcare centres are:
By identifying and addressing these hotspots through targeted commercial cleaning and disinfection, businesses and care providers can reduce the spread of illness and create safer, healthier environments for everyone! Our professional cleaners can help you identify the main ‘hotspots’ in your business. Contact AE Cleaning today on for your FREE, no-obligation quote!
Are Cleaning and Disinfection The Same Thing?
Many people, including some cleaners, use the terms “cleaning” and “disinfection” interchangeably. But they serve two completely different purposes:
Cleaning removes any visible dirt, dust or other debris using detergents and surfactants. It makes your commercial space look clean, but it doesn’t kill all the germs!
Disinfection involves using chemical agents, such as hydrogen peroxide or alcohol-based products, to eliminate any pathogens that may remain after cleaning.
To maintain a truly clean and hygienic environment, both of these methods are essential. Applying disinfectant straight onto dirty surfaces reduces its effectiveness. Your space should be cleaned first to remove surface-level dirt, and then followed up with a thorough disinfection to remove germs and allergens.
Professional cleaning companies employ a comprehensive two-step cleaning and disinfection process, utilising carefully selected and regulated products that effectively eliminate bacteria and viruses.
Eco-Friendly & Non-Toxic Cleaning Options
Modern workplaces are shifting towards cleaning methods that are safer for both people and the planet. Traditional cleaning products often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harsh ingredients that can cause headaches, allergies, and respiratory issues, especially in enclosed workspaces.
Eco or green cleaning solutions use non-toxic, biodegradable products that minimise environmental impact while still cleaning and disinfecting effectively! At AE Cleaning, we utilise eco-friendly products and techniques in all our cleaning services, including our Central Coast window cleaning. These eco-friendly methods help reduce energy costs, as well as water and electricity consumption!
How Often Should Commercial Spaces Be Cleaned?
The right cleaning frequency varies depending on the type of facility you manage, whether that’s an office, healthcare centre, or childcare service. Here is a general guide based on each type of commercial space:
Offices & commercial buildings: Daily surface cleaning and disinfection 2–3 times weekly.
Healthcare & dental clinics: Multiple cleanings are performed daily, and the area is fully disinfected between patients.
Childcare & education facilities: Daily thorough cleaning, alongside frequent disinfection of surfaces, toys, and play areas.
Retail spaces: Daily cleaning and increased disinfection of counters and card readers.
In addition to daily maintenance, businesses should also perform periodic deep cleaning tasks, such as floor scrubbing, Newcastle window cleaning, carpet cleaning, upholstery sanitising, and air vent cleaning.
How AE Cleaning Ensures Hygienic Results
At AE Cleaning, health and safety are at the heart of everything we do. We go beyond surface-level cleaning to create genuinely hygienic environments for our clients.
Our approach includes using colour-coded tools and cloths to prevent cross-contamination between bathrooms, kitchens, and general areas. We select hospital-grade disinfectants approved for use against bacteria and viruses, and use them in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Our team also uses HEPA-filtered vacuums to capture fine dust and allergens, improving your workplace’s indoor air quality. We conduct regular staff training in infection control, proper use of PPE, and safe handling of chemicals. This includes quality assurance inspections to ensure every clean meets our health and hygiene standards.
Whether you manage an office, medical practice, or childcare facility, we customise cleaning schedules to suit your operations! This ensures a consistently clean and healthy environment without disrupting your workflow. Contact us now on for a free personalised quote!
Hygiene Checklist for Business Owners
We’ve created a handy hygiene checklist for business owners to help you keep your space clean in between professional commercial cleans:
Daily habits
- Wipe down shared surfaces (phones, desks, handles)
- Empty bins and recycling regularly
- Encourage hand sanitiser use at entrances and meeting rooms
Weekly habits
- Clean air vents and replace filters
- Sanitise shared kitchen equipment
- Schedule professional cleaning for high-traffic areas
Monthly or quarterly
- Conduct deep cleaning (carpets, upholstery, vents)
- Review cleaning logs and update protocols
- Audit cleaning supplies for expiry or over-use
Maintaining a visible checklist fosters accountability and demonstrates to staff that hygiene is a shared responsibility among all. Save this checklist for later to ensure your workspace stays clean and hygienic at all times!
Credentials & Certifications to Look For
When searching for a commercial cleaning provider, ensure they meet industry standards that verify professionalism and compliance with hygiene standards. These are the qualifications you want to look for:
Occupational Health & Safety certification – Confirms adherence to safe work practices.
Infection Control Training – Essential for Cleaning Healthcare or Childcare Environments.
Public liability insurance – Protects your business in case of accidental damage or injury.
Police-checked staff – Provides peace of mind in secure or sensitive workplaces.
Book Your Commercial Clean With AE Cleaning
Clean, hygienic workspaces keep everyone happy and healthy! They prevent the spread of illness, boost your professional reputation, and reassure your employees and clients that your business values their wellbeing. Hiring professional commercial cleaning services is well worth the investment, and it’s a simple way to protect people and productivity in your business.
At AE Cleaning, we offer professional commercial cleaning services. We take great pride and care in our work, ensuring outstanding cleaning results every time. We are a small, family-run business, so you can be assured of excellent customer service. Our team is punctual and reliable, and our services are competitively priced.
We offer a wide range of cleaning services in both Newcastle and the Central Coast:
Central Coast Cleaning Services:
Newcastle Cleaning Services:
We have built a strong reputation in both Newcastle and the Central Coast for professional commercial cleaning services and satisfied customers. The number of returning customers we receive is a testament to the excellent services we offer.
We service Newcastle, Central Coast, and surrounding areas, including Merewether, Hamilton, Bar Beach, Waratah, Cooks Hill, Kotara, Mayfield, Stockton, Broadmeadow, Georgetown, Adamstown, Fletcher, Carrington, The Junction, Wallsend, Lambton, Maryland, Shortland, Waratah West, New Lambton, Islington, Hamilton South, Kooragang, Maryville, Gosford, Erina, Terrigal, Wamberal, Avoca Beach, and Tuggerah.
No matter where you are located in Newcastle or the Central Coast, AE Cleaning can provide outstanding cleaning results for your workplace. Fill out our contact form or call us today on for a free quote!
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