Quick answer: Elevators should be cleaned daily in busy multi-unit buildings: buttons and panels wiped, walls and doors cleaned of fingerprints, floors vacuumed or mopped and mirrors polished. High-touch points throughout the building, such as door handles, intercoms, mailbox areas and push bars, need the same regular attention. Door sill tracks should be cleaned of grit regularly, and stainless steel should be cleaned with products made for it to avoid streaking and damage.
The elevator is the one space almost every resident or tenant uses every day. It’s small, enclosed and touched constantly. It’s also where people form a quick impression of how well the building is looked after.
Elevator Cleaning Checklist
Daily
- Wipe and disinfect call buttons, in-cab panels and handrails
- Clean fingerprints and smudges from walls, doors and mirrors
- Vacuum carpet or mop hard floors
- Check for spills, litter and odours
- Wipe hall call buttons on each floor, starting with the lobby
Weekly
- Clean door sill tracks of grit and debris
- Polish stainless steel with an appropriate product, following the grain
- Clean ceiling panels and light diffusers within safe reach
- Spot clean landing doors on every floor
Periodically
- Deep clean elevator carpet or scrub hard floors
- Clean elevator pads or replace them if they’re used for moves
- Check for damage and report it to the elevator contractor
Why Door Tracks Matter
Grit, gravel and small debris collect in the sill tracks where doors slide. Buildup can interfere with smooth door operation and lead to service calls. Regular vacuuming of tracks is a simple task that helps keep elevators running. Any mechanical issue should be handled by your licensed elevator contractor, not cleaning staff.
Caring for Elevator Finishes
- Stainless steel: use a stainless-specific cleaner and wipe with the grain; avoid abrasive pads and chlorine-based products
- Mirrors and glass: streak-free glass cleaner, applied to the cloth rather than sprayed on panels
- Wood or laminate panels: mild cleaner, minimal moisture
- Buttons and panels: spray product onto the cloth, not directly, to keep liquid out of electronics
Other High-Touch Points in the Building
- Main entrance door handles and push plates
- Intercom and enterphone panels
- Mailbox and parcel room surfaces
- Stairwell door handles and push bars
- Garbage and recycling room doors
- Amenity room door handles and light switches
- Parkade pedestrian doors and gate buttons
Schedule these with the same frequency as elevator buttons, and increase it during cold and flu season.
Cleaning vs. Disinfecting
Cleaning removes dirt and most germs from surfaces. Disinfecting uses a product designed to kill germs and needs to stay wet for the time on the label. For high-touch points, many buildings clean daily and disinfect during illness season or outbreaks. Eco-friendly disinfectants are available that are effective without strong fumes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should elevators be cleaned?
Daily in most multi-unit buildings, with extra attention during busy periods like move days.
Can cleaning damage elevator buttons?
Spraying liquid directly onto panels can. Apply product to a cloth first.
Who cleans the elevator pit and machine room?
Those areas are handled by the licensed elevator contractor, not cleaning staff.
Why do stainless steel panels look streaky after cleaning?
Usually because of the wrong product, too much product, or wiping against the grain.
Spotless Elevators, Every Day
EcoPlanet Property Services provides daily elevator and high-touch cleaning for strata and commercial buildings across Greater Vancouver using eco-friendly products. Request a free quote or call 604-565-5238.
