What Is Commercial Cleaning?
Commercial cleaning is the professional cleaning of business premises on a contracted basis. It covers every type of non-residential building: offices, shops, hotels, hospitals, schools, factories, warehouses, public buildings, and transport hubs. Unlike domestic cleaning, commercial cleaning uses industrial-grade equipment, trained and vetted operatives, documented quality systems, and written cleaning specifications.
In Ireland, the commercial cleaning market is dominated by two extremes. At the top, multinational facilities management companies like Bidvest Noonan, Chubb, and ISS serve enterprise-scale clients with contracts worth hundreds of thousands per year. At the bottom, thousands of sole traders and micro-operators compete on price alone, often with minimal insurance, no Garda vetting, and no formal quality systems.
Optus Glean occupies the space between these extremes. We are large enough to handle multi-site contracts across all 26 counties with €6.5M public liability insurance, Garda vetted teams, and formal quality management — but small enough to provide the personal service, flexibility, and accountability that multinationals cannot. If you employ 10 to 500 people, we are built for you.
Types of Commercial Cleaning
Commercial cleaning is not a single service. Different premises require fundamentally different cleaning approaches, equipment, chemicals, and training. Here is how we categorise commercial cleaning.
Contract Office Cleaning
The most common form of commercial cleaning. Daily or periodic cleaning of office environments including open-plan areas, meeting rooms, kitchens, washrooms, and reception areas. Office cleaning is typically performed outside business hours (early morning or evening) and follows a written specification that defines daily, weekly, and monthly tasks.
Retail and Shopping Centre Cleaning
Retail cleaning must work around customer traffic. Our retail teams are trained to clean during trading hours using methods that do not disrupt the shopping experience — no wet floors during peak hours, no noisy machines when customers are browsing. After-hours deep tasks handle the intensive work: floor scrubbing, window cleaning, and high-level dusting.
Hospitality Cleaning
Hotel and hospitality cleaning combines housekeeping, public area cleaning, and back-of-house cleaning. The standard is set by guest expectations, not just hygiene requirements. Every surface must look immaculate, not just be clean. Our hospitality cleaning integrates with laundry services for a seamless operation.
Healthcare and Clinical Cleaning
Healthcare cleaning is the most regulated form of commercial cleaning. It requires compliance with HIQA standards, the HSE National Cleaning Standards Manual, and infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols. Our healthcare cleaners are IPC trained, Garda vetted, and follow colour-coded cleaning systems to prevent cross-contamination.
Industrial and Warehouse Cleaning
Industrial cleaning requires specialist equipment: ride-on scrubber-dryers, high-pressure washers, industrial extractors, and confined space entry equipment. Factories, warehouses, food processing plants, and pharmaceutical facilities each have specific cleaning requirements driven by industry regulations and H&S obligations.
Educational Facility Cleaning
School and university cleaning requires Garda vetted staff, child safeguarding awareness, and scheduling around term times and school hours. Term-time cleaning focuses on daily maintenance. School holiday periods are used for deep cleaning, floor refinishing, and major maintenance work.
Commercial Cleaning Pricing in Ireland
Commercial cleaning in Ireland is priced in three ways: per hour, per square metre, or as a fixed monthly contract. The right pricing model depends on your premises and how you want to budget.
Pricing by Model
| Pricing Model | Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | €13 – €25/hr | Small offices, ad-hoc cleaning, supplementary hours |
| Per square metre (monthly) | €1.50 – €4.00/m² | Medium to large premises with measurable floor area |
| Fixed monthly contract | €400 – €5,000+/month | Any premises wanting predictable budgeting |
Pricing by Premises Size
| Premises Size | Monthly Cost (5x/week) | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small office (up to 200m²) | €400 – €800 | €4,800 – €9,600 |
| Medium office (200–500m²) | €800 – €1,500 | €9,600 – €18,000 |
| Large office (500–1,000m²) | €1,500 – €3,000 | €18,000 – €36,000 |
| Multi-floor / campus (1,000m²+) | €3,000 – €8,000+ | €36,000 – €96,000+ |
| Retail unit (up to 300m²) | €500 – €1,000 | €6,000 – €12,000 |
| Hotel (per room, per clean) | €12 – €25/room | Variable by occupancy |
What is included: All labour, equipment, cleaning products, supervision, and quality inspections. No hidden charges. VAT is additional. Prices are based on standard commercial cleaning scope. Specialist requirements (healthcare protocols, industrial equipment, etc.) are priced individually.
How Commercial Cleaning Contracts Work
A commercial cleaning contract is a formal agreement that provides certainty for both parties. Here is how the process works from initial enquiry to ongoing delivery.
1. Site Survey
We visit your premises free of charge. We measure floor areas, count washrooms, inspect surfaces and finishes, identify specialist requirements, and discuss your priorities and concerns. The site survey typically takes 30 to 60 minutes.
2. Cleaning Specification
Based on the site survey, we produce a detailed cleaning specification. This document lists every area of your premises and specifies exactly what cleaning tasks are performed, how often (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly), and to what standard. The specification becomes part of the contract and is the benchmark against which quality is measured.
3. Fixed-Price Quotation
You receive a clear, all-inclusive monthly price based on the specification. There are no hidden charges for equipment, products, or supervision. The price covers everything. Optus Glean does not use automatic annual price escalation clauses — any price changes are discussed and agreed in advance.
4. Mobilisation
Once the contract is signed, we typically mobilise within 7 to 14 days. Mobilisation includes recruiting or assigning cleaning operatives, ordering equipment and products, setting up site access and security, briefing the team on your specification, and introducing the team to your site contact.
5. Ongoing Quality Management
Quality does not maintain itself. Optus Glean operates a documented quality inspection programme. Site supervisors perform weekly inspections against the cleaning specification. Contract managers perform monthly audits. Any deficiencies are documented and rectified within 24 hours. Clients receive monthly quality reports and have a dedicated contact for any issues.
How to Switch Commercial Cleaning Provider
If you are unhappy with your current cleaning company, switching is simpler than most people think. Here is the process.
- Review your current contract — Check the notice period (typically 1 to 3 months) and any break clauses. Most contracts allow termination with written notice.
- Invite alternatives to survey — Ask 2 to 3 cleaning companies to visit and quote. Insist on a written specification, not just a price.
- Compare like for like — Ensure each quote is based on the same scope. The cheapest price is not the best value if the scope is different.
- Check credentials — Insurance certificates, Garda vetting confirmation, client references, and ICCA membership.
- Give notice — Submit written notice to your current provider per the contract terms.
- Mobilise — Optus Glean handles the transition, including any staff TUPE considerations where cleaning operatives transfer between employers.
We understand that switching provider feels daunting. Our mobilisation team has managed hundreds of transitions and will handle every detail so you experience zero disruption.
What Makes a Good Commercial Cleaning Company?
Not all cleaning companies are equal. Here are the criteria that separate professional commercial cleaning companies from the rest.
| Criteria | Professional Standard | Red Flag |
|---|---|---|
| Public liability insurance | €6.5M+ (Optus Glean: €6.5M) | Under €2M or no certificate provided |
| Employer's liability | €13M+ (Optus Glean: €13M) | Not disclosed or minimal |
| Staff vetting | Garda vetted, references checked | No vetting process mentioned |
| Contract terms | 12 months with clear break clause | 36-month lock-in with auto-renewal |
| Pricing | Written specification, fixed monthly price | Verbal quote, hourly rate only |
| Quality management | Documented inspections, monthly reports | No inspection process |
| Equipment | Company supplies all equipment and products | Asks client to provide supplies |
| Staff pay | Above NMW (reduces turnover) | NMW or below (high turnover) |
Commercial Cleaning Add-On Services
Regular contract cleaning maintains the daily standard. But buildings need more than daily cleaning to stay in top condition. Here are the services that complement your commercial cleaning contract.
- Deep Cleaning — Quarterly or biannual intensive cleaning that reaches areas daily cleaning does not touch. From €500 per clean.
- Carpet and Floor Cleaning — Hot water extraction, encapsulation, and hard floor stripping and sealing. From €3.00/m².
- Window Cleaning — Internal and external window cleaning using water-fed pole, rope access, or MEWP. From €2 per window.
- Pressure Washing — Car parks, entrances, loading bays, and building exteriors. From €1.50/m².
- Washroom Services — Managed consumable supply: soap, paper, sanitary bins, air fresheners. From €50/month.
- Laundry and Linen — Commercial laundry for hospitality and healthcare clients. From €2.50/kg.
Bundling these services with your contract cleaning saves money and simplifies management. One company, one contract, one invoice.
Industries and Sectors
Optus Glean provides commercial cleaning across every major sector. Each sector has dedicated pages explaining how we tailor our service to specific industry requirements.
- Corporate and Office — Banks, law firms, tech companies, government offices
- Healthcare — GP surgeries, dental practices, nursing homes, pharmacies
- Hospitality — Hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, event venues
- Education — Schools, colleges, universities, creches
- Construction — Post-build cleans, site welfare facilities
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Cleaning
How much does commercial cleaning cost in Ireland?
Commercial cleaning costs €13–€25 per hour in 2026. Monthly contracts: small office €400–€800, medium office €800–€1,500, large office €1,500–€3,000+. Per square metre: €1.50–€4.00/m²/month. Specialist cleaning (healthcare, industrial) is priced individually based on scope and compliance requirements.
What is included in commercial cleaning services?
Standard commercial cleaning includes vacuuming and mopping, bin emptying, washroom cleaning and sanitisation, desk and surface wiping, kitchen and breakroom cleaning, dusting, glass and mirror spot-cleaning, and consumable restocking. The exact scope is defined in a written specification. Periodic add-ons include carpet cleaning, window cleaning, deep cleaning, and floor refinishing.
What is the difference between commercial cleaning and office cleaning?
Office cleaning is a subset of commercial cleaning. Commercial cleaning covers all business premises: offices, retail, hotels, factories, hospitals, schools, and public buildings. Different premises require different equipment, chemicals, and protocols. Optus Glean provides specialist cleaning for every commercial premises type.
How does a commercial cleaning contract work?
A contract specifies what areas are cleaned, how often, to what standard, and at what price. It includes all labour, equipment, and products. Contracts run 12–36 months with fixed monthly pricing. Optus Glean offers 12-month contracts with clear break clauses and no automatic price escalation.
How do I switch commercial cleaning provider?
Check your notice period (typically 1–3 months), invite alternatives to survey and quote, compare written specifications, check credentials (insurance, vetting, references), give written notice, and agree mobilisation with your new provider. Optus Glean handles the entire transition including staff TUPE considerations.
What qualifications should commercial cleaners have?
Garda vetting, H&S training, COSHH (chemical safety) training, manual handling, and environment-specific training (IPC for healthcare, Safe Pass for construction). Supervisors should hold BICSc or equivalent qualifications. Optus Glean provides comprehensive training before deployment.
What is ICCA certified cleaning?
ICCA (Irish Contract Cleaning Association) is the industry representative body. Members must meet standards for employment, insurance, training, and service quality. ICCA membership signals professional operation and is a useful quality indicator when selecting a commercial cleaning company.
Can I get commercial cleaning outside business hours?
Yes. Most commercial cleaning is performed early morning (6am–8am), evening (6pm–10pm), or overnight to minimise disruption. Some clients require daytime cleaning, and our teams are trained to clean around active workspaces. Optus Glean offers 24/7 scheduling including weekends and bank holidays.
