Every area of an apartment block should be kept clean, but some areas are used more frequently than others. Maintaining cleanliness in shared areas, from the main entrance to the lobby and lift cabins, is highly recommended. The frequent passage of people can damage these shared areas of residential complexes. Here are a few ways to clean common areas and keep your commercial building in the best possible condition.

A clean, tidy and fresh communal area in a building gives tenants a good first impression.

Develop a regular cleaning programme

A clean environment plays an important role in maintaining the brand image of your building. The biggest mistake is to let the shared areas of a building get dirty by not cleaning them regularly. These areas are used more frequently and the constant movement of people brings with it dust which, over time, will make lounges, corridors and even lifts dirty. The simplest solution is to call in a professional cleaning team who will intervene according to a regular schedule, on a daily or weekly basis.

Clean communal floors and carpets

Floors and carpets are two of the busiest areas, receiving a huge amount of foot traffic. As a result, dirty floors and carpets are inevitable. However, it is unacceptable to enter an apartment block with sticky, dirty floors. If floors and carpets are not cleaned regularly, they will have to be replaced sooner, which will cost you in the long run.

Floors: Your building probably uses a hard floor in the lobby and entrance areas. Remember that these floors need to be swept dry frequently and washed with water once a week. In addition, floors need to be polished and any stains removed. They also need extra attention during the wet and snowy seasons of the year. Regular cleaning of these surfaces is essential. This reduces the risk of slips and falls and always gives the space a professional appearance. Carpets: Carpets and rugs are also found in communal areas. They should be vacuumed and cleaned promptly. You should also schedule a carpet shampooing service on a regular basis. Otherwise, you’ll need to remove old carpets and replace them with new ones. Don’t forget to clean every day or even more than once a day if possible.

Cleaning windows and doors

These surfaces in your building are quick to show fingerprints or dirt, whatever the weather outside. You can ask your customers to keep the inside of windows and doors clean with basic cleaning. But you also need to keep the outside clean. Regular cleaning and polishing should be considered. These glass surfaces should be professionally cleaned at least twice a year.

Note that it is advisable to hire a good condominium cleaning team to carry out a thorough cleaning. This also includes window frames, door handles and sill areas, which tend to get dusty easily. Cleaning windows and doors allows more natural light into the shared spaces of your building. As a result, it can reduce the amount of light on the building and provide an attractive clean atmosphere.

Clean toilets in shared areas

Toilets are one of the shared areas that also need to be treated regularly. In the course of a day, a large number of people pass through the toilets. As a result, these areas in a block of flats may need cleaning on a daily basis.

Take a look at how many people use this space each day. Sometimes a quick clean of the communal area and emptying of the small dustbin may be enough for the day. You should also consider hiring a professional cleaning company to come in during off-peak hours and deep clean the toilets. This includes disinfecting toilets, urinals and sinks, replenishing toilet paper and soap supplies, and emptying all waste bins.

Take care of lifts and stairs

Lifts and staircases are other very busy areas in a residential building. They need to be kept clean and attractive. You should regularly clean and polish the mirrors in lifts, disinfect the buttons and sweep or vacuum the floors. Similarly, staircases should be swept regularly, and handrails and handles disinfected.

Clean the reception desk

The reception desk is often the first point of contact for visitors, so it needs to be clean and tidy. This includes keeping the desk free of dust, ensuring there is no visible rubbish, and regularly disinfecting surfaces, particularly the telephone and computer keyboard.

Maintain furniture and outdoor areas

Furniture in communal areas, such as sofas and chairs, should also be cleaned regularly using appropriate products. This will help maintain a fresh and welcoming appearance. In addition, the landscaping around the building plays a part in visitors’ first impression. Make sure that outdoor areas are clean and well maintained.

Waste and recycling management

Effective waste management is essential to maintaining a clean environment. This includes emptying bins regularly and ensuring that residents know where the recycling bins are. Encourage residents to use the recycling bins and inform them about the materials that can be recycled.

Hire a professional cleaning team

To ensure a high level of cleanliness, it is strongly recommended that you hire a professional cleaning team. A well-trained and equipped team will be able to meet the specific needs of your residential building.

Belux Cleaning is a professional cleaning company that has been in existence for 25 years and cleans several hundred buildings throughout Belgium. If you would like more information about us or a quote for your cleaning plan, please do not hesitate to contact us via our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!

In a nutshell…

By applying these cleaning tips, you can ensure that the communal areas of your residential building remain clean and welcoming, while preserving the value of your property in the long term. A clean environment not only helps to create a positive impression but also promotes the well-being of residents.

FAQ

1. How often should the common areas of a residential building be cleaned?

It is recommended that common areas be cleaned on a daily basis due to the high level of traffic. However, some items such as windows can be cleaned less frequently, for example twice a year.

2. What are the benefits of keeping communal areas clean?

Keeping communal areas clean helps create a positive first impression, improves resident satisfaction, reduces the risk of cleanliness incidents such as slips, and helps preserve property value.

3. Should I hire a professional cleaning team or can I rely on residents to keep things clean?

Hiring a professional cleaning crew is highly recommended to ensure a high and consistent level of cleanliness. Residents can be encouraged to maintain cleanliness, but a professional team will ensure a thorough clean.

4. How can I encourage residents to help keep communal areas clean?

You can encourage residents by regularly communicating the importance of cleanliness, providing recycling bins, organising community clean-up days, and recognising and rewarding positive behaviour.

5. Is it necessary to clean outdoor spaces such as landscaped areas and building entrances?

Yes, it is important to clean and maintain outdoor spaces as they contribute to the first impression visitors and residents have of the building. Regular maintenance of outdoor areas also helps to preserve the value of the property.

6. What cleaning products are recommended for communal areas?

It is recommended to use cleaning products that are environmentally friendly and free of harsh chemicals. This will help maintain a healthy environment for residents and minimise the impact on the environment.