How Often Should Care Homes Clean Key Areas?

Cleanliness in care homes isn’t just about appearances—it’s a cornerstone of safety, infection control, and regulatory compliance. One of the most common questions asked by care staff and managers is: what is the ideal care home cleaning frequency? Our detailed guide to care home cleaning frequency standards and schedules explains how to structure daily, weekly, and high-risk area cleaning in line with compliance expectations.

Let’s break down how often key areas in care homes should be cleaned, what standards apply, and how to stay on top of daily tasks without letting anything fall through the cracks.

Why Care Home Cleaning Frequency Matters

Care homes are high-risk environments for cross-contamination. Residents often have weakened immune systems, which makes even common bacteria more dangerous. Regular, targeted cleaning minimises the spread of pathogens and protects everyone—from staff to visitors.

Additionally, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and NHS Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) standards both highlight the need for consistent hygiene practices. Cleaning frequency isn’t a matter of preference—it’s a regulatory expectation.

Which Areas Need Cleaning Most Often?

The answer depends on usage and risk. Here’s a breakdown:

High-Touch Surfaces (Multiple Times Daily)

• Door handles
• Handrails
• Light switches
• Call bells
• Toilet flushes and taps

These areas can harbour bacteria and viruses, especially in shared or high-traffic zones. Cleaning them at least three times daily is recommended, and more frequently during outbreaks.

Toilets, Bathrooms, and Washrooms (At Least Daily)

Able Eclipse 5 Litre Pine Disinfectant

These should be cleaned thoroughly once per day and spot-cleaned between uses if visibly soiled. Use a chlorine-based disinfectant or a product meeting EN 14476 standards.

Explore Able’s range of compliant disinfectants.

Communal Areas (Daily)

• Dining rooms
• Lounges
• Activity spaces

Clean all surfaces and furniture daily. Don’t forget items like remote controls, mobility aids, and lift buttons.

Resident Rooms (Daily + Weekly Deep Clean)

Clean general surfaces daily. Perform a weekly deep clean for each room, including bed frames, windowsills, and behind furniture. If a resident is ill, escalate cleaning frequency immediately.

Kitchens (Multiple Times Daily)

Care home kitchens are subject to Food Standards Agency (FSA) hygiene rules. Clean worktops, utensils, and equipment between uses and floors at the end of every shift.

Able Eclipse Sanitiser

Visit Able for kitchen cleaning products

Maintaining a Care Home Cleaning Schedule

Having a written cleaning schedule ensures consistency and accountability. Use cleaning logs that identify:

• What should be cleaned
• How often
• Who is responsible
• What product should be used

Auditing these logs helps you track trends and prepare for inspections. Templates are available to help you get started. To strengthen your inspection readiness, it’s also important to take a structured approach to cleaning audit preparation for care homes. This ensures your documentation, schedules, and evidence align with what inspectors expect and helps you identify gaps before they become compliance issues.

We’ve created a care home cleaning schedule template covering:

• Daily cleaning tasks

• Weekly deep cleans

• High-touch outbreak routines

• Kitchen & bathroom compliance

Choosing the Right Products

Using the right chemical isn’t just about results—it’s about resident safety. All products should be:

• Clearly labelled
• COSHH assessed
• Stored securely

Use EN-standard products for disinfection and always follow contact time instructions. Microfibre cloths and disposable mop heads reduce contamination risks.

Tips to Stay On Track

• Train staff regularly on IPC practices
• Colour-code equipment to prevent cross-contamination
• Review cleaning schedules monthly
• Conduct random spot-checks

These simple actions help your team stay compliant and reduce the risk of illness spreading.

Final Thoughts

Care home cleaning frequency isn’t a guess—it’s a system. By cleaning high-risk areas multiple times a day and following a consistent schedule, care homes can provide a safer environment for residents and staff alike.

Keeping care homes clean takes consistency—but with the right tools and routines, it’s more than manageable. It’s part of what makes a home truly safe.

Is Your Cleaning Schedule Inspection-Ready?

If you’re unsure whether your cleaning frequency meets CQC expectations:

✔ We’ll review your current schedule
✔ Highlight compliance gaps
✔ Recommend product adjustments
✔ Provide a revised schedule template

Send us your current cleaning rota and we’ll review it free.

Care Home Cleaning Frequency FAQs