Whether it’s a buzzing restaurant kitchen, a spotless café, or a high-end kitchen showroom, there’s one non-negotiable: cleanliness.
Commercial kitchens and showroom kitchens demand a higher standard of clean; one that goes beyond the daily wipe-down and straight into safety, compliance, and customer experience. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about commercial kitchen cleaning, including why it matters, how it differs from general cleaning, and how to keep your kitchen (or showroom!) audit-ready and sparkling.
Why Commercial Kitchen Cleaning Matters
Kitchens get gross fast. Between high heat, grease buildup, constant foot traffic, and food scraps, a commercial kitchen can become a breeding ground for bacteria in hours, not days.
Here’s why cleaning matters more than ever:
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Health and Safety Compliance: In Australia, commercial kitchens are required to meet strict food safety regulations outlined in the Food Standards Code. Failure to comply can lead to hefty fines, or even closure.
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Reputation Management: Customers talk. One sighting of grime, mould, or pests can end up on social media faster than you can say “deep clean.”
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Fire Hazard Reduction: Grease buildup in kitchen exhausts and ducts is a serious fire risk. Regular cleaning reduces this threat.
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Longevity of Equipment: A clean kitchen is a well-functioning one. Equipment lasts longer when it’s properly maintained and cleaned.
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Staff Morale and Productivity: Clean, safe environments lead to happier, more productive kitchen teams. It’s that simple.
What Counts as a Commercial Kitchen?
When we say “commercial kitchen,” we’re not just talking restaurants. The following all fall under this category:
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Cafés and bistros
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Catering kitchens
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Aged care and hospital kitchens
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School or university canteens
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Hotel kitchens
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Ghost kitchens or dark kitchens
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Showroom or display kitchens (often used in design studios, appliance stores, or for filming content)
Each of these has its own unique cleaning challenges, but all of them require professional, scheduled cleaning to stay safe and compliant.
What’s Involved in a Commercial Kitchen Clean?
A commercial kitchen clean is far more detailed than your average kitchen tidy. It includes:
1. Degreasing All Surfaces
From benchtops to splashbacks, commercial kitchens are grease magnets. A proper clean involves food-safe degreasers to break down stubborn buildup.
2. Cleaning Canopies, Exhausts, and Ducts
These areas are prone to oil accumulation and are often overlooked. In fact, the Australian Standard AS 1851 mandates regular inspection and cleaning of kitchen exhaust systems to reduce fire risk.
3. Floor and Wall Cleaning
Floors take a beating in kitchens - spills, foot traffic, oil splatter. Non-slip surfaces require specific cleaning agents and tools to maintain hygiene without damaging the finish.
4. Deep Cleaning of Appliances
Think combi ovens, fryers, hot plates, and refrigerators. All of these require specialised cleaning techniques to remove burnt-on grime and ensure food safety.
5. Sanitisation of High-Touch Points
Handles, light switches, appliance knobs, and taps are often forgotten but hold the highest risk of cross-contamination.
6. Pest Prevention Measures
Regular cleaning around drains, bins, and under heavy equipment prevents pests from making a home in your kitchen.
How Often Should a Commercial Kitchen Be Cleaned?
Cleaning frequency depends on your kitchen’s usage, but as a general rule of thumb:
Cleaning Task | Recommended Frequency |
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Benchtops & Surfaces | After every service |
Floors | Daily (and spot-cleaned during service) |
Canopy & Ducts | Every 3-6 months (as per AS 1851) |
Fridges & Cool Rooms | Weekly |
Deep Clean (Whole Kitchen) | Monthly or quarterly |
Pest Prevention Clean | Fortnightly to Monthly |
What About Showroom Kitchens?
Showroom kitchens look spotless for a reason... they’re designed to impress.
Whether used for appliance demos, interior design consultations, or food photography, these kitchens often look clean but still require regular servicing to prevent dust, smudges, and hidden grime in unused appliances or under cabinetry.
For showroom cleaning, focus areas include:
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Polishing all stainless steel and glass
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Fingerprint and smudge removal from cabinetry
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Dusting and sanitising of benchtops, sinks, tapware, and appliances
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Floor buffing or mopping to maintain a pristine look
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Odour control (especially if the showroom is enclosed)
Think of it like a luxury car showroom. Everything has to be immaculate, even if no one’s "using" it.
Cleancorp’s Commercial Kitchen Cleaning Services
At Cleancorp, we take commercial kitchen cleaning seriously. Our teams are trained in food safety compliance, use eco-friendly and food-safe cleaning products, and work around your schedule to minimise downtime.
Whether it’s an industrial kitchen, a boutique bakery, or a state-of-the-art demo kitchen, we help keep your space audit-ready, staff-safe and spotless from floor to ceiling.
Here’s what sets Cleancorp apart:
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Custom Cleaning Schedules tailored to your kitchen’s risk level and usage
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Certified Technicians trained in HACCP and food-grade sanitisation
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Eco-Conscious Methods that keep your kitchen safe for both people and the planet
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Before and After Reports with images, so you can see the difference and stay accountable
Real-Life Results: Happy Clients, Cleaner Kitchens
Here are just a few examples of clients who’ve seen the difference with Cleancorp:
- A Sydney-based bakery avoided a costly pest infestation thanks to our proactive cleaning schedule.
- A Melbourne hospitality group now books quarterly deep cleans after an initial audit flagged fire risks in their ducts (these risks are now 100% eliminated).
- A Brisbane kitchen showroom saw a 25% uptick in appliance demo bookings after switching to Cleancorp for weekly maintenance cleans. Visitors kept commenting on how “fresh” the space felt.
The Cost of Cutting Corners
It’s tempting to rely on your own staff for cleaning. But unless your team is trained in commercial cleaning standards, you’re putting your business at risk, legally, reputationally, and financially.
Here’s what poor kitchen cleaning can cost you:
Risk | Potential Cost |
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Food Safety Violation | $6,000+ fines, business closures |
Fire Damage | $10,000+ in repairs, insurance complications |
Bad Reviews | Long-term revenue loss |
Equipment Damage | $1,000s in replacements |
How to Choose the Right Commercial Kitchen Cleaning Provider
When choosing a cleaning provider, don’t just go with the cheapest option. Look for:
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Industry experience
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Food-grade product use
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Insurance and certifications
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Custom scheduling options
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Transparent reporting and communication
Final Word: A Clean Kitchen Is a Better Business
Whether you’re whipping up thousands of meals a week or showing off designer cabinetry in a showroom, the cleanliness of your kitchen directly affects your bottom line.
You wouldn’t cut corners on your ingredients or your customer service — so why risk it with your cleaning?
If you're ready to level up your commercial or showroom kitchen hygiene, Cleancorp’s team is just a click away.
Want a quote or a compliance check?
Let’s talk. We’ll build a cleaning plan that’s tailored to your kitchen, your goals, and your peace of mind.
Get a Free Commercial Kitchen Cleaning Quote!