The Complete University Cleaning Checklist
A practical daily, weekly and monthly cleaning guide for New Zealand universities, polytechnics and tertiary education campuses
A clean university campus provides students, staff and visitors with a safe, healthy and welcoming environment. Consistent cleaning helps reduce the spread of illness, protects valuable facilities and equipment, and supports a positive learning experience across lecture theatres, laboratories, libraries, student spaces and accommodation.
Daily University Cleaning Checklist
Reception & Administration Areas
☐ Vacuum or mop entrance floors
☐ Clean entrance doors and glass
☐ Wipe reception counters
☐ Clean reception desks
☐ Sanitise EFTPOS terminals and touchscreens
☐ Empty rubbish and recycling bins
☐ Restock hand sanitiser stations
☐ Remove fingerprints from doors and glass
☐ Check entrance mats
Lecture Theatres & Classrooms
☐ Vacuum or sweep floors
☐ Mop hard floors
☐ Wipe lecture podiums
☐ Clean student desks and tables
☐ Wipe seating and armrests
☐ Sanitise high-touch surfaces
☐ Clean whiteboards and presentation equipment
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Remove food waste
☐ Organise furniture where required
Libraries & Study Spaces
☐ Vacuum carpets
☐ Dust shelving
☐ Wipe study desks
☐ Clean computer workstations
☐ Sanitise keyboards and mice
☐ Clean printers and photocopiers
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Spot clean glass
☐ Clean quiet study booths
Computer Laboratories
☐ Dust desks
☐ Sanitise keyboards
☐ Sanitise computer mice
☐ Wipe monitors
☐ Clean touch screens
☐ Vacuum floors
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Check cable management remains tidy
Science Laboratories
☐ Clean laboratory benches
☐ Sanitise work surfaces
☐ Sweep and mop floors
☐ Clean sinks
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Remove approved laboratory waste
☐ Clean shared equipment
☐ Report spills according to laboratory procedures
Staff Offices
☐ Vacuum carpets
☐ Wipe desks
☐ Clean meeting tables
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Sanitise shared equipment
☐ Dust furniture
☐ Spot clean glass
Student Lounges & Common Areas
☐ Vacuum seating areas
☐ Mop hard floors
☐ Wipe tables
☐ Clean lounge furniture
☐ Empty rubbish and recycling bins
☐ Sanitise vending machines
☐ Clean microwaves and kitchenettes
☐ Restock paper towels and soap
Cafés & Food Courts
☐ Wipe dining tables
☐ Clean chairs
☐ Sanitise serving counters
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Mop floors
☐ Clean beverage stations
☐ Clean condiment stations
☐ Restock soap and paper towels
Student Accommodation (Common Areas)
☐ Vacuum hallways
☐ Mop common kitchens
☐ Clean shared bathrooms
☐ Wipe tables and benches
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Clean lifts and lift buttons
☐ Sanitise door handles
Public Toilets
☐ Clean toilets and urinals
☐ Sanitise toilet seats
☐ Clean basins
☐ Polish mirrors
☐ Refill soap dispensers
☐ Restock paper towels
☐ Restock toilet paper
☐ Empty sanitary bins
☐ Mop floors
☐ Check odours
Sports & Recreation Facilities
☐ Clean gym equipment
☐ Sweep sports courts
☐ Mop floors
☐ Clean changing rooms
☐ Sanitise benches
☐ Restock soap and paper products
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Clean drinking fountains
Outdoor Campus Areas
☐ Empty outdoor rubbish bins
☐ Remove litter
☐ Sweep entrances
☐ Clean outdoor seating
☐ Check smoking areas
☐ Remove hazards
☐ Inspect covered walkways
Cleaning Throughout the Day
☐ Patrol public toilets regularly
☐ Clean spills immediately
☐ Empty bins before they overflow
☐ Restock soap and paper products
☐ Sanitise frequently touched surfaces
☐ Remove litter from outdoor spaces
☐ Monitor food court cleanliness
☐ Record cleaning inspections
☐ Respond promptly to cleaning requests
Weekly Cleaning Tasks
☐ Machine scrub hard floors
☐ Deep clean lecture theatres
☐ Wash desks and seating
☐ Dust high surfaces
☐ Clean skirting boards
☐ Wash internal glass
☐ Shampoo entrance mats
☐ Deep clean staff kitchens
☐ Deep clean libraries
☐ Clean lockers
☐ Wash rubbish bins
☐ Remove marks from walls
☐ Dust ventilation grilles
☐ Deep clean sports equipment
☐ Clean lifts thoroughly
Monthly Cleaning Tasks
☐ Deep clean carpets
☐ Pressure wash external pathways where appropriate
☐ Machine scrub foyers
☐ Deep clean washrooms
☐ Clean ceilings and vents
☐ Inspect flooring
☐ Review chemical stock
☐ Inspect dispensers
☐ Service vacuum cleaners
☐ Service floor scrubbers
☐ Review cleaning procedures
☐ Audit hygiene consumables
☐ Inspect emergency exits
☐ Review infection prevention practices
University Cleaning & Hygiene Tips
✔ Increase cleaning during orientation, graduation ceremonies and major campus events.
✔ Focus on frequently touched surfaces such as desks, keyboards, door handles, lift buttons and handrails.
✔ Keep lecture theatres clean between classes wherever possible.
✔ Maintain fully stocked washrooms throughout the day.
✔ Empty recycling and rubbish bins before they become full.
✔ Use colour-coded cleaning equipment to reduce cross-contamination.
✔ Schedule deep cleaning during semester breaks and holiday periods.
✔ Encourage good hand hygiene across campus with well-maintained soap and sanitiser stations.
✔ Keep common areas clean and inviting to support student wellbeing.
✔ Regularly inspect sports facilities, accommodation and food courts.
Recommended Colour-Coding System
Red – Toilets, urinals and sanitary areas
Yellow – Bathroom fittings, showers and wash basins
Blue – Lecture rooms, libraries, offices and general campus areas
Green – Cafés, kitchens and food preparation areas
Separate cloths, mops and buckets should always be used for each area to minimise cross-contamination.
Recommended Cleaning Equipment
- Microfibre cloths
- Colour-coded mops
- Commercial vacuum cleaners
- Wet & dry vacuum cleaners
- Walk-behind floor scrubbers
- Ride-on floor scrubbers (for large campuses)
- Buckets and wringer systems
- Spray bottles
- Neutral floor cleaner
- Disinfectant cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Washroom cleaner
- Food-safe sanitiser
- Hand soap
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- Bin liners
- Disposable gloves
- Wet floor signs
- Sweepers
- Water Blasters