Commercial Cleaning vs. Domestic Cleaning: What’s the Difference?
Cleaning is cleaning, right?
Actually, no. There’s a big difference between commercial and domestic cleaning, and if you’re a business owner, knowing the distinction matters — especially when choosing the right cleaning provider.
Let’s break it down.
What Is Domestic Cleaning?
Domestic cleaning is what you’d typically get in a private home. Think:
Vacuuming carpets
Dusting surfaces
Cleaning bathrooms and kitchens
Changing bedsheets
Mopping floors
It’s about maintaining a comfortable, hygienic space for a family or individual.
What Is Commercial Cleaning?
Commercial cleaning is designed for business premises and shared public spaces. That includes:
Offices
Retail stores
Medical clinics
Schools
Warehouses
Hospitality venues
The cleaning here is on a larger scale, often with different tools, chemicals, and requirements (e.g. compliance with hygiene standards).
Key Differences at a Glance:
Feature Domestic Cleaning Commercial Cleaning Location Private homes Business/public premises Equipment used Basic household tools Industrial-grade equipment Cleaning products Shop-bought Commercial-strength & COSHH-compliant Scheduling Flexible, casual Often out-of-hours or scheduled routines Health & Safety Minimal Essential training required Scale1-2 rooms, small areas Large multi-room spaces
Why Domestic Cleaners Can’t Always Do Commercial Work
Many people assume a good domestic cleaner can just "scale up" and clean offices — but it’s not that simple.
Commercial cleaning often involves:
Adhering to legal hygiene standards
Cleaning shared areas used by dozens or hundreds of people
Using chemical products safely
Working within tight schedules
Providing risk assessments and method statements
If you hire a cleaner without experience in commercial environments, you risk non-compliance, poor results, and even health hazards.
Why Businesses Need Commercial Specialists
Here’s why it pays to work with a dedicated commercial cleaning company:
Knowledge of Regulations: From COSHH to industry-specific hygiene standards (like for food premises or medical sites), trained cleaners know how to stay compliant.
Specialist Tools: We use industrial vacuums, disinfectants, and cleaning systems that are far more effective than what you’d use at home.
Scalable Teams: Whether it’s one cleaner twice a week or a team of four every evening, we build a plan around your space.
Professional Accountability: We’re fully insured, trained, and committed to quality assurance. You won’t find that with a casual cleaner.
Why Saaf Cleaning?
We’ve been cleaning businesses across Hitchin and Letchworth for over a decade. Our clients include offices, salons, medical spaces, and more — all with different cleaning needs.
What you get with us:
Professional cleaners trained in Health & Safety and COSHH
Fully insured service with excellent local reviews
Flexible contracts and no hidden fees
A friendly, responsive team who genuinely care
In Summary
Don’t settle for a cleaner who "also does offices". When it comes to your business, choose a company that specialises in commercial cleaning — with the experience, equipment, and systems to back it up.
Need a reliable commercial cleaner in Hitchin or Letchworth?
Let’s have a chat. Contact us today to get a tailored quote and cleaning plan.
