The Complete Warehouse Cleaning Checklist
A practical daily, weekly and monthly cleaning guide for New Zealand warehouses and distribution centres
A clean warehouse creates a safer workplace, protects stock from damage, improves operational efficiency and helps reduce workplace accidents. Regular cleaning also minimises dust build-up, keeps storage areas organised and supports compliance with workplace health and safety requirements.
This checklist is suitable for warehouses, distribution centres, logistics facilities, storage warehouses, fulfilment centres and wholesale operations throughout New Zealand.
Daily Cleaning Checklist
Reception & Office Areas
☐ Vacuum or mop entrance floors
☐ Clean entrance doors and glass
☐ Wipe reception desks and counters
☐ Sanitise EFTPOS terminals (where applicable)
☐ Dust office furniture
☐ Empty rubbish and recycling bins
☐ Restock hand sanitiser stations
☐ Remove fingerprints from glass and stainless steel
☐ Check entrance mats
Warehouse Floor
☐ Sweep warehouse floors
☐ Machine sweep large warehouse areas
☐ Remove loose pallet wrap
☐ Remove cardboard and packaging waste
☐ Keep pedestrian walkways clear
☐ Check emergency exits remain unobstructed
☐ Remove trip hazards
☐ Inspect floor markings
☐ Remove spills immediately
☐ Empty warehouse rubbish bins
Storage Racking & Shelving
☐ Remove loose packaging
☐ Remove dust from lower shelving
☐ Keep aisles clear
☐ Inspect for damaged pallets
☐ Remove empty pallets from aisles
☐ Report damaged racking
Picking & Packing Areas
☐ Wipe packing benches
☐ Clean packing equipment
☐ Empty cardboard bins
☐ Remove plastic wrapping
☐ Sweep floors
☐ Keep packing stations organised
☐ Restock packing consumables
Loading Dock
☐ Sweep loading dock
☐ Remove pallet wrap
☐ Remove cardboard waste
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Clean dock levellers
☐ Check dock doors
☐ Keep vehicle access areas clear
☐ Remove slip hazards
Forklift Charging Area
☐ Sweep floors
☐ Remove rubbish
☐ Inspect spill kits
☐ Keep charging stations tidy
☐ Ensure emergency equipment is accessible
Staff Lunchroom
☐ Clean benches
☐ Sanitise tables
☐ Clean sinks
☐ Wipe microwaves
☐ Clean refrigerator handles
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Vacuum or mop floors
☐ Restock paper towels
☐ Refill hand soap
Locker Rooms
☐ Sweep or vacuum floors
☐ Mop floors
☐ Wipe benches
☐ Clean lockers externally
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Clean hand basins
☐ Restock soap
Staff Toilets
☐ Clean toilets and urinals
☐ Sanitise toilet seats
☐ Clean hand basins
☐ Clean taps
☐ Polish mirrors
☐ Refill soap dispensers
☐ Restock toilet paper
☐ Refill paper towel dispensers
☐ Empty sanitary bins
☐ Mop floors
☐ Check odours
Throughout the Day
☐ Remove packaging waste
☐ Empty bins before they overflow
☐ Clean spills immediately
☐ Keep aisles free of obstructions
☐ Restock washroom consumables
☐ Clean high-touch surfaces
☐ Maintain hand sanitiser stations
☐ Record completed inspections
Weekly Cleaning Tasks
☐ Machine scrub warehouse floors
☐ Deep clean picking and packing stations
☐ Dust shelving
☐ Clean skirting boards
☐ Wash internal windows
☐ Clean ventilation grilles
☐ Wash rubbish bins
☐ Remove marks from walls
☐ Deep clean lunchroom
☐ Inspect floor markings
☐ Inspect dispensers
☐ Clean loading dock thoroughly
Monthly Cleaning Tasks
☐ Pressure wash loading docks
☐ Pressure wash warehouse entrances
☐ Machine scrub warehouse floors
☐ Dust high-level racking (where safe and appropriate)
☐ Inspect warehouse flooring
☐ Review cleaning chemical stock
☐ Inspect cleaning equipment
☐ Service industrial vacuum cleaners
☐ Service floor scrubbers and sweepers
☐ Review warehouse cleaning procedures
☐ Audit consumable stock
☐ Inspect emergency exits
☐ Clean ceilings and ventilation systems
High-Touch Surface Checklist
These surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected regularly throughout the day.
☐ Door handles
☐ Roller door controls
☐ Forklift steering wheels
☐ Forklift controls
☐ Shared pallet jacks
☐ Hand scanners
☐ Touchscreen computers
☐ Time clocks
☐ Packing benches
☐ Light switches
☐ Tap handles
☐ Flush buttons
☐ Locker handles
☐ Refrigerator handles
☐ Microwave controls
☐ Reception counters
Warehouse Cleaning & Safety Tips
✔ Keep aisles and emergency exits clear at all times.
✔ Remove pallet wrap, cardboard and packaging waste regularly to reduce slip and trip hazards.
✔ Clean spills immediately using the correct spill response procedures.
✔ Reduce dust build-up to help protect stock, equipment and warehouse air quality.
✔ Inspect racking regularly and report damaged shelving immediately.
✔ Use industrial-grade cleaning products suitable for warehouse environments.
✔ Use colour-coded cleaning equipment to reduce cross-contamination between warehouse, office and staff facilities.
✔ Schedule machine scrubbing during quieter operational periods whenever possible.
✔ Inspect cleaning equipment regularly to ensure safe operation.
✔ Maintain cleaning records as part of your workplace health and safety programme.
Recommended Colour-Coding System
Red – Toilets and sanitary areas
Yellow – Warehouse floor, loading docks and storage areas
Blue – Offices, reception, meeting rooms and public areas
Green – Lunchrooms, kitchens and food preparation areas
Separate cloths, mops, brushes and buckets should always be used for each colour-coded area to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Recommended Cleaning Equipment
- Industrial microfibre cleaning cloths
- Colour-coded cleaning cloths
- Colour-coded flat mops
- Industrial vacuum cleaners
- Wet & dry vacuum cleaners
- Walk-behind floor scrubbers
- Industrial floor sweepers
- Pressure washers
- Neutral floor cleaner
- Industrial degreaser
- Multi-purpose cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Washroom cleaner
- Hand soap
- Alcohol hand sanitiser
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- Bin liners
- Disposable gloves
- Wet floor signs
- Long-handled dusters
- Industrial brooms
- Sweepers