Common Areas Businesses Forget to Clean: A Must-Read for Companies in Surrey and Across BC
- dancleaningservice1
- Jul 21
- 5 min read
Running a business in Surrey or anywhere throughout BC comes with a long to-do list—meetings, operations, customer service, employee engagement, and yes, cleaning. While most businesses handle general cleanliness fairly well, there are many overlooked areas that are often forgotten during routine cleaning schedules. These forgotten spots can harbor germs, dust, and grime, negatively affecting employee health, customer impressions, and even your bottom line.
At Dan Cleaning Services Ltd, we specialize in commercial cleaning in Surrey and across British Columbia, and we’ve noticed a recurring pattern: businesses miss certain areas consistently. This blog will guide you through those hidden and commonly forgotten areas, and explain why it’s vital to keep them clean. If you're managing an office, retail store, or commercial facility, this guide is for you.

Why Do Businesses Forget Certain Cleaning Areas?
Let’s start with the obvious question: Why do these areas get neglected?
There are a few key reasons:
They’re out of sight or hard to reach.
They don’t appear dirty at first glance.
There’s no cleaning checklist or protocol for them.
Cleaners may focus only on visible or high-traffic zones.
While understandable, neglecting these areas can have a bigger impact than most realize.
1. Light Switches and Door Handles
One of the highest-touch surfaces in any business environment is the light switch and door handle—yet these are often overlooked during regular cleaning.
These surfaces harbor bacteria, viruses, and dirt, especially in shared spaces like meeting rooms, kitchens, and restrooms. Without proper disinfection, they can become breeding grounds for illness.
Tip: Make sanitizing handles and switches part of your daily cleaning checklist.
2. Behind and Under Furniture
When was the last time someone vacuumed or mopped behind your office desks or under the lobby couch?
Dust, crumbs, hair, and other debris build up quickly in these areas. Left untouched, they can cause:
Allergies
Pest issues
Bad odors
Regular deep cleaning is necessary to maintain a truly clean and healthy work environment.
3. Ceiling Vents and Air Ducts
In many commercial properties across Surrey and BC, air vents and ducts go months or even years without cleaning. Out of sight means out of mind—but these systems distribute air throughout the entire building.
When they’re dirty, they can:
Spread allergens
Lower indoor air quality
Cause respiratory issues
Professional commercial cleaners, like Dan Cleaning Services Ltd, can vacuum and sanitize vents, improving your building’s air quality and energy efficiency.
4. Office Chairs and Upholstery
Think about how many hours your employees spend sitting in their office chairs. Now think about how often those chairs get cleaned. Not often, right?
Fabric chairs collect:
Sweat
Dust
Food crumbs
Skin particles
And yet, they rarely get more than a quick wipe—if that. Regular steam cleaning or upholstery shampooing is essential for hygiene and aesthetics.
5. Computer Keyboards and Mice
These items are personal but shared in many environments, like front desks or call centers. Studies show that keyboards can be dirtier than toilet seats—yes, really!
They accumulate:
Skin oils
Bacteria
Food particles
Regular disinfection using alcohol wipes can help reduce the risk of cross-contamination and illness.
6. Tops of Cabinets, Doors, and Partitions
Since these surfaces aren’t in direct line of sight, they often escape cleaning routines entirely.
Dust buildup on these areas:
Looks unprofessional
Triggers allergies
Spreads onto other surfaces
It’s important to clean these elevated surfaces at least monthly, if not more often in dusty environments.
7. Breakroom Appliances
While it’s common to wipe down countertops, many businesses forget to clean inside and behind appliances like:
Microwaves
Coffee machines
Refrigerators
Toasters
Left uncleaned, these appliances become breeding grounds for mold, bacteria, and pests—a big health risk for employees.
8. Elevator Buttons and Handrails
For buildings with elevators, the buttons and handrails are among the most frequently touched surfaces. But they’re rarely given the same cleaning priority as restrooms or floors.
Especially in high-traffic buildings in urban areas like Surrey or Burnaby, daily disinfecting is a must.
9. Trash Bins and Recycling Containers
Yes, the bags get emptied—but when was the last time the actual bin got cleaned?
Dirty trash containers:
Smell awful
Spread germs
Attract pests
Commercial cleaners should sanitize trash bins regularly, especially in food-handling areas or breakrooms.
10. Entry Mats and Carpets
Entry mats and carpets trap dirt, moisture, and bacteria brought in by foot traffic. Without regular deep cleaning, they can become a hygiene hazard and wear out faster.
Vacuuming is not enough—professional steam cleaning can help maintain both cleanliness and appearance.
11. Restroom Fixtures Beyond the Obvious
Most businesses clean toilets and sinks, but forget:
Faucet handles
Soap dispensers
Toilet paper holders
Sanitary bins
These high-touch items can quickly collect grime and bacteria. A detailed cleaning checklist ensures they’re not skipped.
12. Windowsills and Blinds
Windows themselves may get cleaned by external window services, but blinds and sills often get overlooked. Dust and pollen collect here, especially during spring and summer months in BC.
Including these in your seasonal cleaning rotation helps maintain air quality and appearance.
13. Warehouse and Storage Areas
If your business has warehousing or back storage, chances are those areas don’t receive regular attention. These spaces collect:
Dust
Spills
Cobwebs
Packaging debris
Despite low visibility, they’re still part of your workplace and should be cleaned quarterly or bi-monthly depending on use.
14. Conference Phones and Remote Controls
Many businesses in Surrey use shared equipment for presentations, but forget to disinfect:
Conference call phones
Remotes
Projector buttons
These are often touched by multiple people and can transmit germs quickly.
Why It Matters: The Cost of Neglect
Overlooking these areas doesn’t just affect cleanliness—it impacts:
Employee health (sick days, allergies, poor air)
Client impressions (dirty offices = poor brand image)
Operational efficiency (equipment wear and tear)
Compliance (especially in food, healthcare, or industrial sectors)
How Dan Cleaning Services Ltd Helps
At Dan Cleaning Services Ltd, we understand the cleaning gaps that many commercial cleaners miss. Our teams are trained to:
Identify commonly neglected areas
Use eco-friendly yet effective products
Follow structured cleaning checklists
Provide customized cleaning plans for offices, warehouses, retail, and more
We serve businesses throughout Surrey, Langley, Burnaby, Richmond, and all across BC—ensuring nothing is left behind.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to commercial cleaning, what you don’t clean can hurt you the most. From dirty vents to untouched keyboards, every hidden corner matters. If you’re a business owner or facility manager in Surrey or anywhere in British Columbia, consider this your wake-up call. A truly clean workplace is more than what meets the eye.
Ready to get started? Let Dan Cleaning Services Ltd take care of your cleaning needs, so you can focus on what you do best—running your business.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What areas do businesses most commonly forget to clean?Light switches, door handles, behind furniture, air vents, keyboards, and breakroom appliances are often forgotten in routine cleaning.
2. How often should I clean high-touch surfaces like switches and handles?Daily. These surfaces can quickly accumulate bacteria and germs, especially in shared environments.
3. Do office chairs and upholstery need professional cleaning?Yes, at least quarterly. They collect dust, sweat, and other debris that regular vacuuming doesn’t fully remove.
4. What’s the best way to ensure all areas are cleaned regularly?Use a professional cleaning company with structured checklists, like Dan Cleaning Services Ltd, or develop a strict internal cleaning protocol.
5. How do I get started with commercial cleaning services in Surrey?Simply contact Dan Cleaning Services Ltd for a free consultation. We’ll assess your space and offer a customized cleaning plan.
Company Name: Dan cleaning services Ltd
Address: 9278 120 St #309, Surrey, BC V3V 4B8, Canada
Phone Number: +1 236-591-5073
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