Maintaining workplace hygiene isn’t just about appearance; it affects staff health, productivity, customer confidence, and compliance. Yet many facility managers still ask the same question:
“How do I know if my cleaning company is using a proper commercial cleaning process?”
The answer lies in the 7 stages of cleaning, a systematic workflow used by professional cleaners who follow NZ hygiene standards and evidence-based practices.
At QualGroup, our High-Performance Cleaning (HPC) methodology is built on these stages, ensuring consistency, safety, and measurable results across Tauranga, Rotorua, Hamilton, and the wider Bay of Plenty.
This guide breaks down each stage, helping you compare providers and understand what a professional commercial cleaning process should look like.
What Are the 7 Stages of Cleaning?
The 7 stages of cleaning are a structured, science-based workflow followed by trained commercial cleaners to reduce contamination, protect surfaces, and ensure compliance.
These cleaning steps are used across NZ workplaces, such as:
- Healthcare & aged care
- Public-sector facilities
Understanding these stages helps you quickly assess whether your cleaning provider is delivering a service aligned with NZ hygiene standards—or cutting corners.
The 7-Stage Commercial Cleaning Process
Stage 1: Preparation
Preparation sets the foundation for safe, efficient cleaning.
What this includes
- Putting on correct PPE
- Removing clutter from surfaces
- Selecting correct tools & colour-coded cloths
- Preparing chemicals to correct dilution
- Setting up signage (e.g., “Wet Floor”)
Why it matters
Proper preparation prevents cross-contamination, keeps cleaners safe, and ensures efficiency.
Common mistakes
- Dirty equipment used again
- Wrong PPE or none at all
- No chemical dilution checks
In high-performance cleaning, our teams complete a pre-start checklist before every job to eliminate these risks.
Stage 2: Cleaning
This is the physical removal of dirt, dust, and debris.
How professionals do it
- Microfibre dusting
- Vacuuming with HEPA filtration
- Wet mopping
- Cleaning high-touch points (handles, switches, taps)
Why it matters
You cannot disinfect a dirty surface. Cleaning must happen before disinfection for the process to be effective.
Stage 3: Rinsing
Rinsing removes leftover detergent and soil particles.
Why this stage is essential
Residue can:
- Reduce the effectiveness of disinfectants
- Attract more dirt
- Damage surfaces over time
Rinsing is often skipped by inexperienced cleaners, one of the BIGGEST red flags in the commercial cleaning process.
Stage 4: Drying
Removing moisture prevents microbial growth.
Drying methods
- Air drying
- Clean microfibre cloths
- Absorbent mops
Risk of skipping this stage
Moisture can create slip hazards, leave streaks, or promote bacterial growth—especially in high-traffic areas.
Stage 5: Disinfection
Disinfection targets pathogens after the surface has been properly cleaned.
Professional disinfection processes
- Hospital-grade or eco-friendly disinfectants
- Colour-coded cloths to avoid cross-contamination
- Contact time monitoring
- High-touchpoint (HTP) disinfection routines
Common mistakes
- Using cheap unapproved disinfectants
- Incorrect dilution
- Not allowing required “dwell time”
- Skipping high-touch areas
In high-performance cleaning, disinfectant dwell time is verified using digital checklists and supervisory audits.
Stage 6: Inspection
Inspection ensures the cleaning meets agreed standards.
How professionals inspect
- Visual checks
- Touch tests
- ATP or fluorescent marker auditing
- Supervisor inspections
- Digital reporting logs
QualGroup uses fluorescent marking audits on high-touch points—an industry-leading method normally used in healthcare.
Stage 7: Documentation
Documentation proves what was completed, when, and by whom.
Why documentation matters
- Supports compliance
- Reduces disputes
- Provides accountability
- Helps audit readiness
- Essential for government, healthcare, and public-sector clients
At QualGroup, digital reporting includes:
- Daily communication logs
- Before/after photos
- H&S reporting
- Attendance tracking
- Spill, hazard, and incident reports
If your current cleaners provide no documentation, this is a major red flag.
Skills, Training & Professionalism Matter
A professional cleaning workflow only works if the cleaning team is trained properly.
What professional teams must be trained in
- PPE usage
- Infection control techniques
- Chemical handling & dilution
- Colour-coding systems
- Health & Safety (NZ regulations)
- Cross-contamination prevention
Professional presentation
QualGroup cleaners always wear:
- Uniforms
- ID badges
- Proper footwear
- High-visibility vests (when required)
This ensures trust, safety, and easy identification in workplaces.
Tools, Equipment & Chemicals Used in the 7-Stage Process
Professional results require professional equipment. QualGroup uses:
- Microfibre cleaning systems
- Eco-friendly chemicals
- HEPA-filter vacuums
- Low-noise, battery-powered machines
- Electrostatic sprayers (for outbreak response)
- Colour-coded cloths and mops
Using the wrong tools—dirty mops, worn cloths, incorrect chemicals—compromises hygiene and damages surfaces.
Common Cleaning Mistakes—and how the 7 Stages Prevent Them
Poor cleaning companies often make predictable errors, including:
- Skipping rinsing or drying
- Reusing dirty clothes
- Incorrect chemical dilution
- No documented process
- No disinfection on high-touch points
- Inconsistent methods between cleaners
The 7-stage process prevents these by ensuring:
- Consistent workflows
- Cross-contamination control
- Surface protection
- Reliable hygiene results
- Clear accountability
How High-Performance Cleaning (HPC) Enhances the 7 Stages
QualGroup’s High-Performance Cleaning (HPC) takes the standard 7-stage commercial cleaning process and elevates it to deliver consistent, measurable, and NZ-compliant outcomes. HPC is designed not just to clean, but to protect people, assets, and reputations across high-traffic workplaces.
Here’s how HPC enhances each stage of cleaning:
Medically inspired methodologies– cleaning techniques informed by healthcare best practices to minimise infection risks.
Fluorescent auditing– scientifically verifying that high-touch points and critical surfaces are properly cleaned.
Infection-control principles – targeted strategies to prevent cross-contamination and reduce absenteeism.
Colour-coded systems– clearly separating tools and areas to maintain hygiene standards.
Monthly quality audits – ongoing checks ensure consistency, compliance, and accountability.
Documented SOPs – standardised procedures for every task, making workflows repeatable and auditable.
Sustainable products– eco-friendly chemicals and microfibre systems reduce environmental impact while maintaining high hygiene levels.
By integrating HPC into the 7-stage workflow, QualGroup ensures that cleaning is not only thorough but measurable, traceable, and aligned with NZ hygiene standards, giving facility managers confidence and peace of mind.
Benefits of Following the 7 Stages of Cleaning
✔ Improved workplace hygiene
✔ Reduced cross-contamination
✔ Lower illness rates and absenteeism
✔ Preserved floor, surface and assets’ life
✔ More predictable cleaning quality
✔ Audit-ready compliance
✔ Confidence in cleaning performance
Choosing a Commercial Cleaning Provider in NZ
Finding the right commercial cleaning provider isn’t just about getting a tidy office; it’s about ensuring hygiene, compliance, and peace of mind for your staff and customers.
When comparing providers, asking the right questions can make all the difference. Here are the key questions to focus on:
- Do you follow the 7 stages of cleaning?
- How do you prevent cross-contamination?
- Do you use colour-coded systems?
- How is quality monitored?
- Do your cleaners receive ongoing training?
- Do you provide documentation or logs?
- What reporting tools do you use?
Why QualGroup stands out
When it comes to commercial cleaning, experience and reliability matter; that’s exactly what we bring to the table. For over a decade, we’ve been keeping workplaces across Tauranga, Rotorua, and Hamilton spotless.
Our High-Performance Cleaning (HPC) system isn’t just a fancy name; it’s a proven, hospital-grade-inspired approach that QualGroup founders Vijo and Riya brought to commercial workplaces that ensures every surface is cleaned safely and effectively.
Our teams are trained through the QualClean Academy, fully vetted, and ready to handle even the trickiest cleaning challenges. Plus, with transparent digital reporting and supervisor audits, including fluorescent marker checks, you always know the job is done right.
Whether it’s public-sector facilities or busy commercial spaces, our results speak for themselves. With QualGroup, you get cleaning you can trust.
Take Your Workplace Cleaning to the Next Level
QualGroup’s High-Performance Cleaning system brings a medically inspired, science-based approach, delivering maximum efficiency and effectiveness to council buildings and government spaces.
HPC applies healthcare-grade principles to every public facility:
- High-touch point focus
- Colour-coded cleaning systems
- Measurable quality control
- Fluorescent marking audits
HPC ensures every building is cleaned using safe, hygienic, and sustainable practices, supported by ethical employment, secure on-site operations, and consistent quality. It delivers confidence and peace of mind that public facilities require every day.
What a Professional Cleaning Provider Should Offer
A structured, professional cleaning workflow isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for maintaining hygiene, safety, and compliance in NZ workplaces. If your current cleaning provider can’t clearly demonstrate the full 7-stage cleaning process, it’s time to take a closer look.
See the difference for yourself. Request a free commercial cleaning audit and compare your current provider against QualGroup’s 7-stage professional cleaning process.
Whether you need support with compliance documentation or a fully customised cleaning plan, our team is ready to help. Contact QualGroup today and experience the confidence of a truly professional cleaning partnership.
