As offices adapt to new ways of working, cleaning expectations continue to evolve. From deeper cleans on quieter days to smarter use of data, 2026 is set to bring new priorities for hygiene, sustainability and efficiency.

Drawing on the experience of our operations leaders, we explore the key trends that will shape office cleaning in the year ahead.

 

Reflecting on 2025

The past year has revealed important shifts in how clients think about cleaning. Offices have become more dynamic, with fluctuating occupancy, packed meeting schedules and rising expectations around environmental responsibility. These changes are already shaping the priorities for 2026.

Deeper Cleans on Office Down Days

Clients are increasingly using quieter periods, such as hybrid working down days, to schedule deeper cleans. With fewer staff on site, cleaning teams can access areas that are harder to manage during peak hours. Carpets, shared equipment and high-touch points receive more thorough attention, helping maintain consistent standards across the week.

Resetting Meeting Rooms

In busier offices with multiple meeting rooms, cleaning teams are regularly asked to support with resetting spaces. This ensures rooms are ready for the next group without delays, keeping offices running smoothly. Quick turnarounds also create a professional impression for staff and visitors alike.

Weighing Waste and Supporting Sustainability

Another noticeable shift has been the addition of tasks such as weighing waste. This reflects the increasing importance of sustainability reporting, with cleaning teams now contributing directly to data on recycling and waste reduction. For clients, this provides clearer insights into environmental performance and helps them evidence progress against ESG goals.

Sustainable Sourcing Takes Centre Stage

One of the most significant trends for 2026 is the focus on sustainable product sourcing. Offices are increasingly prioritising consumables and supplies that reduce environmental impact while maintaining hygiene standards.

Clients want eco-certified options such as recycled paper and refillable soaps, as well as suppliers who can evidence ethical sourcing. At the same time, single-use plastics are being phased out in cleaning operations.

This reflects a broader cultural shift. At DOC Cleaning, sustainability is embedded in our Beyond Cleaning strategy, which places responsibility and care at the centre of our operations. Our approach was recently recognised when we received SMI’s Sustainability Award, acknowledging the steps we have taken to reduce environmental impact and strengthen supply chain transparency. We also shared the news that DOC has been Planet Mark certified for the seventh consecutive year, demonstrating our long-term commitment to reducing carbon and driving sustainability across every level of our business.

We are actively reducing single-use plastics and increasing eco-friendly packaging, as we outlined in our blog Joining The Movement For Plastic Free July 2025, where we committed to reduce reliance on disposable plastic by 50% by the end of 2025 and implemented practices such as using multi-use equipment, bulk purchasing and closed-loop chemical systems. Alongside our work with supply partners like Simply Washrooms, SMI, Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene Supplies, Spectrum Recycling, Amplify Goods and others that emphasise ethical sourcing, these efforts help us meet hygiene expectations while supporting responsible resource use.

These partnerships and initiatives allow us to source responsibly, reduce waste across all sites, and provide clients with evidence that their cleaning operations contribute to ESG goals. For offices, choosing sustainable products is becoming essential to strengthen reputation, reassure stakeholders and align with modern expectations.

Data-Led Cleaning

A trend gaining real momentum heading into 2026 is data-led cleaning. Technology now makes it possible to track and record cleaning activity as it happens, giving clients proof that standards are being met and helping operations become more efficient and responsive.

For clients, data-led cleaning provides transparency and proof that standards are consistently being met. For providers, it enables cleaning to be scheduled more intelligently, reducing downtime and increasing efficiency.

Data-led cleaning also opens opportunities for cleaning teams to deliver added value. With better workflows in place, staff can support with meeting room resets, consumable restocking or sustainability tasks such as waste tracking. Our adoption of Facility Apps highlights how digital tools are helping us provide greater accountability and measurable improvements.

Key benefits of data-led cleaning include:

• Greater transparency through digital reporting and real-time updates

• Smarter scheduling that matches cleaning to actual office usage

• Improved efficiency by reducing wasted time and duplication of effort

• Opportunities for staff to support with additional tasks such as waste monitoring or room resets

• Clearer accountability through measurable results and performance tracking

According to recent research by WifiTalents, 78% of UK cleaning firms have already adopted digital tools to improve efficiency, and many report measurable improvements in both customer satisfaction and cost savings as a result. Data-led solutions are quickly moving from a competitive advantage to an industry expectation.

Flexible Cleaning to Match Office Use

Flexibility in cleaning has become one of the defining trends for 2026. Offices no longer operate on a predictable nine-to-five schedule, and hybrid working means some days are busier than others. Cleaning services that adapt to these rhythms give businesses cleaner, safer spaces without unnecessary disruption.

One way this flexibility plays out is through deeper cleans on down days. When fewer employees are in the office, cleaning teams can carry out tasks that are harder to complete during peak hours, such as carpet care, detailed workstation cleaning or maintenance in shared kitchens. This approach mirrors how retailers prepare stores ahead of the Christmas shopping rush – using quieter times to tackle the tasks that set the stage for busy periods.

High-traffic spaces such as meeting rooms and collaborative areas benefit from responsive cleaning. In retail, peak hours demand extra attention to restrooms and touchpoints, and the same principle applies in offices where frequent resets are needed between back-to-back meetings. Cleaning teams that can quickly refresh rooms, restock consumables and restore order help offices run efficiently while maintaining a professional atmosphere for staff and visitors.

Flexibility extends to visible hygiene. As highlighted in our blog How to Prepare Your Store for the Christmas Shopping Rush, customers feel reassured when they see cleaning in action. The same is true in offices. Scheduling more visible cleaning rounds on busy days helps build confidence among staff and visitors, showing that hygiene is actively managed.

Flexible cleaning supports waste and resource management too. Frequent checks of bins, restrooms and consumables prevent overflow or shortages, reducing complaints and maintaining a positive workplace experience. With dynamic scheduling and the right tools, cleaning teams can respond in real time to shifting demands, keeping offices efficient, professional and welcoming.

Employee Wellbeing Through Clean Environments

Another core trend for 2026 is the recognition of cleaning as a driver of employee wellbeing. Businesses understand that a clean workplace not only reduces sickness but also boosts morale and productivity. Visible hygiene is becoming a non-negotiable part of creating a positive culture.

Well-maintained spaces help staff concentrate by reducing distractions, while confidence in hygiene supports attendance and retention. As outlined in our blog The Hidden Costs of Poor Office Hygiene, overlooking cleanliness undermines both employee satisfaction and business outcomes. Offices that embrace wellbeing-focused cleaning are investing in healthier, more engaged teams.

The wellbeing benefits of effective cleaning include:

• Fewer sickness absences through reduced germs and allergens

• Higher concentration levels thanks to clutter-free, organised spaces

• Stronger morale when staff see hygiene being actively maintained

• Better retention as employees feel valued in a clean, cared-for workplace

• Enhanced productivity in an environment that supports focus and comfort

Smarter Partnerships Between Clients and Providers

A final trend that will shape office cleaning in 2026 is the expectation of stronger partnerships between clients and providers. Cleaning is now seen as part of broader business strategy, with providers expected to contribute insight and innovation as well as service delivery.

This will mean closer collaboration around sustainability reporting, planning schedules in line with occupancy and business priorities, and introducing new tools or methods to add value. Providers who can demonstrate leadership and adaptability in these areas will be seen as trusted partners capable of supporting long-term business goals.

To see how we collaborate with clients across different sectors, take a look at our case studies, which show the practical ways we tailor services, build partnerships and deliver measurable results.

Looking Ahead

In our blog on Top Office Cleaning Trends For 2025 we highlighted how hybrid working, sustainability and wellbeing were shaping client expectations. Those themes remain central, but as we move into 2026 they are becoming sharper, more data-driven and more sustainability focused.

Focus Area	2025 Practices	2026 Trends
Eco-friendly solutions	Introduction of greener products and reduction of single-use items	Sustainable sourcing backed by measurable ESG actions such as waste weighing
Machinery & equipment	Adoption of modern machines to improve speed and efficiency	Integration of digital tools and advanced platforms for real-time monitoring
Waste solutions	Basic recycling initiatives and efforts to cut waste	Structured reporting on recycling performance and active contribution to ESG reporting
Sustainability certification	Interest in BICSc and other certifications to evidence standards	Deeper client expectation for verified supplier credentials and transparent sourcing
Employee training & wellbeing	Focus on staff hygiene training and visible cleaning to reassure employees	Wellbeing positioned as part of workplace culture, with cleanliness tied to engagement and retention

This progression shows how cleaning priorities are shifting from broad commitments to more strategic and accountable actions, where both providers and clients are expected to evidence performance and impact.

The year ahead offers opportunities to use data and technology to improve efficiency, evidence performance and create value for clients. The challenge will be balancing innovation with sustainability commitments and cost management. Careful planning and responsible sourcing will be key to achieving this balance.

Office cleaning in 2026 is moving well beyond routine maintenance. It is becoming smarter, more flexible and more strategically important, with a direct impact on workplace culture and business success.

Get in Touch

Offices in 2026 will expect cleaning providers to be proactive, sustainable and innovative.

We are already preparing for this future, drawing on over five decades of experience alongside the adoption of modern tools like NANDO, PEGO and Facility Apps. If you are looking for a commercial cleaning partner that understands emerging trends and can deliver consistent, measurable results, we would be delighted to work with you.

Contact us today to learn how our office cleaning services can help your business stay ahead in 2026 and beyond.