Stairwell Cleaning: How Often Is It Really Necessary?

The stairwell is the calling card of every building. It provides the very first impression that visitors, clients, or potential new tenants get of a property. But how often does it actually need to be swept and mopped? Is once a month sufficient, or does it require weekly cleaning?

This question regularly leads to discussions between tenants, owners, and property management companies. In this article, we explain which factors influence the cleaning frequency and why hiring a professional service provider is often the best choice.

Factors Influencing Cleaning Intervals

There is no strict legal regulation dictating exactly how often a stairwell must be cleaned. The optimal frequency heavily depends on the individual usage of the building:

1. Type of Usage (Commercial vs. Residential)

• Commercial Properties & Offices: These experience a high volume of visitors and employees during the day. Dirt from the street is continuously tracked inside. For office buildings, daily to several times a week stairwell cleaning is the standard.
• Residential Buildings: Classic apartment buildings have lower traffic. A rhythm of once a week (usually on Fridays or Saturdays) has become established here, ensuring the building is clean for the weekend.

2. Season and Weather

In the summer, routine sweeping and light mopping are often enough. In autumn (leaves, dampness) and winter (road salt, slush), significantly more dirt is brought into the building. Pro Tip: Adjust the cleaning intervals during the winter months or commission targeted special cleanings to protect floor coverings from aggressive salt residues.

3. Size and Number of Units

Naturally, less dirt accumulates in a two-family house than in a high-rise building with 30 units. The presence of pets or small children (strollers tracking in mud) also plays a significant role in determining the cleaning schedule.

What is included in professional stairwell cleaning?

Many underestimate the effort behind thorough stairwell cleaning. It's not just about quickly mopping the steps. A professional cleaning plan includes, among other things:

• Sweeping and damp mopping of all stairs, landings, and hallways.
• Cleaning handrails: Extremely important, especially in times of heightened hygiene awareness.
• Entrance area: Cleaning glass doors, mailbox systems, and intercom panels.
• Doormats: Beating and vacuuming the dirt-trapping mats in the entrance area.
• Cobwebs: Regular removal from corners and basement stairways.
• Basement and attic: Less frequent (usually monthly), but still necessary.

Tenant Rotations vs. Cleaning Company

The traditional tenant rotation system, where residents take turns cleaning the stairwell, is increasingly losing relevance. The disadvantages are well known:

• Disputes over the quality of cleaning.
• Tenants failing to fulfill their duties due to illness, age, or vacation.
• Lack of professional cleaning agents and equipment.

The solution? Hiring a professional cleaning company. The costs can be allocated transparently and fairly to all tenants by the property management as part of the operating costs (ancillary costs).

Conclusion

A weekly stairwell cleaning is the golden middle ground for most residential buildings. For commercial properties, the intervals should be significantly shorter.

Do you want to avoid arguments in your building and maintain the value of your property? HMS Leka offers a reliable and thorough cleaning service. We ensure that your stairwell always leaves a perfect impression. Contact us for an individual quote!