Commercial office cleaning glossary
Plain-English explanations of the terms you will come across.
- After-builders clean
- A clean after construction or refurbishment work, removing fine dust and debris in stages so the space is ready for furniture and occupation.
- Cleaning specification
- A written document listing every cleaning task, the area it applies to and how often it is done. It is the standard the contract is measured against and the basis for the hours and price.
- Colour coding
- Using different coloured cloths, mops and buckets for different areas, such as toilets, washroom basins, kitchens and general areas, so germs are not spread between them.
- COSHH
- The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, which require the risks from cleaning chemicals to be assessed and controlled, with training, protective equipment and safety data sheets.
- Descaling
- Removing limescale and urine scale from taps, toilets, urinals, tiles and glass using an acid-based descaler. Regular cleaning products do not remove built-up scale.
- Dilapidations
- The landlord's claim at the end of a commercial lease for repairs and works, including cleaning, needed to return the premises to the condition required by the lease.
- Encapsulation
- A low-moisture carpet cleaning method where a chemical surrounds soil particles and dries to crystals that are then vacuumed away. It dries quickly and suits regular maintenance.
- Hot water extraction
- A carpet cleaning method that injects hot water and cleaning solution into the pile and immediately extracts it with the loosened soil. Often called steam cleaning, although no steam is used.
- Key holding
- The secure storage and controlled use of a client's keys, fobs and alarm codes by the cleaning contractor, usually with a written procedure and a record of who holds them.
- Lone working
- Cleaners working alone on site, often out of hours. Employers must assess the risks and put measures in place, such as check-in calls and emergency procedures.
- Periodic tasks
- Cleaning jobs done weekly, monthly or quarterly rather than on every visit, such as high-level dusting, inside appliances, skirting boards and carpet extraction.
- Safety data sheet
- A document supplied with a chemical product setting out its hazards, safe handling, storage, protective equipment and first aid measures. Cleaning contractors should hold one for every product used.
- Scrubber dryer
- A floor machine that scrubs a hard floor with cleaning solution and immediately vacuums the dirty water back up, leaving the floor nearly dry and safe to walk on.
- Touch points
- Frequently handled surfaces such as door handles, push plates, light switches, lift buttons, handrails and shared equipment, which are cleaned and disinfected on every visit.
- TUPE
- The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006. When a cleaning contract changes hands, staff mainly assigned to the site may transfer to the new provider on their existing terms.
Last updated 6 November 2026