Keep Your Restaurant Clean With This Free Restaurant Cleaning Checklist Template

Do you have a comprehensive restaurant cleaning checklist? With the frequent inspections by the Public Health and Safety Authorities, this cafe cleaning schedule, checklist and infographic will help you maintain a consistent standard. Standard that will meet and exceed PHSA's requirements.

Dirty Restaurant

Do you know that 76% of customers complained of dirty utensils or tables? That 73% complained of dirty restrooms?

And in the same survey, 79% of these customers will avoid the restaurant with a nasty restroom even if you have the best location or serve the best coffee. These are big numbers so do something to stop losing your customers.

Keeping your restaurant clean is not very difficult AND is a very big deal for the foodservice industry.

So, use this cleaning checklist for restaurant to get a clean cafe, a place where customers can enjoy their food in the company of families and friends.

Create Your Own Restaurant Cleaning Checklist Template

Every restaurant is different. Your layout, decor, type of furniture and kitchen equipment will dictate the checklist. But you can use this sample to create your own. I have prepared two separate checklists, one for the front and one for the back of a restaurant and you can visualize it in infographic form.

The best time to do cleaning works is at the end of your business day.

Free Restaurant Cleaning Checklist Template - Infographic For Front of House Cleaning

Front of House Cleaning Checklist

Restaurant Front of House Cleaning Checklist

Customer's first impression is very important. They expect the premise to be clean without any bad odors. And of course, good tasty food.

So use this restaurant front house cleaning checklist or build it up to suit your needs. This will keep the cleaning schedule in check.

Daily Restaurant Cleaning Checklist

• Vacuum Carpets - Daily vacuuming is to remove dust and dirt. Food and drink spillages must be clean immediately. This will reduce the chances of staining and mildew build-up. Carpet stains from cooking and airborne grease coming from the kitchen can be chemical clean or with hot water extraction.


• Mop Floors - Clean uncarpeted floor area using a cleaned mop and the right detergent. If not, grease, dirt and other contaminants will spread to other parts of the floor area.


• Clean Entrance Area & Door Mats - Keeping the entrance area clean is crucial. 68% of customers will exit and never to return if the entrance is dirty.


• Empty Trash Bins - Check every hour


• Clean and Sanitize Toilets - Take out the trash and empty feminine hygiene bins. Check them every hour as 86% of customers will equate a clean toilet to a clean kitchen.


• Restock Toilet Utilities - As nothing is more frustrating than to use a squeaky clean toilet but no toilet paper, towel or soap.


• Sanitize Tables and Clean Chairs - Not with filthy rags, please. As customers prefer restaurants with clean tables and chairs.


• Spot Clean Walls and Doors - With an all-purpose cleaner.


• Wipe Down Mirrors - Mist the mirror with glass cleaner. Then use a microfiber cloth to clean the surface.


• Inspect Condiment Caddies - Clean and restock if required.


• Clean Menu Cards - Wipe any stains and replace torn menu cards.


• Organize Cutlery & Linen Drawers - Restock cutlery & fresh linen


• Clean Counters  - Wipe off any stains


• Wipe Drink/Liquor Shelves - And organize bottles


• Organize Glass & China - And restock


• Coffee Machine & Appliances such as Juicers - Wipe and Clean


• Disinfect Door Handles - With antibacterial wipes or spray.


• Clean Door Track - Or vacuum if required

NOTE: If you are doing any wet cleaning, place any Caution or Wet Floor signs

Weekly Restaurant Cleaning Checklist

• Wash Glass Windows and Doors - With mild glass cleaner to remove any streaks or fingerprints.


• Inspect Air Ducts - Vacuum or dust if required.


• Blinds or Curtains - Wipe off any dust or stain. Wash on a semi-annual basis


• Air Freshener/Deodorizer - Check & Refill


• Plants/Flowers/Planters - Clean or replace water/water live plants

Monthly Cleaning Schedule for Restaurant

• Dust and Wipe Down Light Fixtures


• Dust Any Posters and Wall Art 


• Check Ceilings  - And clean any cobwebs


• Wash Walls - if required for any spills, dust etc.


• Clean Ceiling or Wall Fans

Semi-Annual Restaurant Cleaning Checklist

• Strip and Recoat all Vinyl Floors (if required)


• Extract all Carpeted Areas


• Wash Curtains 


• Clean External Signage

Who Does the Cleaning in a Restaurant?

If you are running a small cafe or restaurant, you can save monies by assigning your staff to do the cleaning works. Contracting out cleaning works may be useful if you do the annual deep steam cleaning.

In their standard list of duties and responsibilities, insert in their cleaning responsibilities.

For example:

• A dishwasher, responsible for cleaning tableware and utensils, can clean the dish cleaning area, remove trash, store supplies in the kitchen, etc.


• Cooks to clean grills, ovens, fryers etc.

Explain these to your staff during a job interview. Once hired, continue to remind them of your expectations. This will ensure the day-to-day cleaning schedule to run better.

Restaurant Kitchen Cleaning Checklist Template

Cafe Cleaning Schedule for Kitchen Area

Restaurant Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

Follow this checklist or use it to build your own. A clean and orderly kitchen will get staff to work fast and dish out good tasty food served on clean plates. Because you do not want people to get sick and run the risk of the restaurant closed for health violations.

Daily Cleaning Schedule for Restaurant Kitchen

• Wipe down the Grill/Fryer/Flattop/Range between Cooking - And underneath the equipment. Change the foil linings.


• Wipe Down Preparation Areas between Tasks - And use disinfectant


• Switch Cutting Boards Between Tasks


• Change Sanitizing Water and Rags 


• Empty Trash Bins - And replace liners and disinfect disposal area


• Wash Can Opener, Meat Slicers, and Other Knives


• Wipe Down Walls of any splashes


• Mop Floors - Do thorough cleaning to remove grease and food spills


• Wash All Food and Drink Machines - including microwave oven, kettle, waffle, toaster, etc. 


• Clean Cooker Hood and Filter 


• Clear Up Floor Drains - Unclog drain, clear sink, and sanitize sink 
  


• Clean Refrigerator, Ice Machines,  Steam Table and Meat Drawer 


• Laundry Machine - Clean both inside and outside


• Clean and Sanitize Staff Toilet


• Sanitize Doors and Door Handles


• Clear & Clean All Working Spaces

Weekly Restaurant Cleaning Checklist

• Clean and Sanitize Walk-ins


• De-lime (if you use chemical sanitizers) Sinks, Dish Machine, and Faucets


• Clean Ovens - The sides, walls, and racks.


• Check, Clean on Pest Control


• Clean Light Fixtures and Switches

Monthly Restaurant Cleaning Checklist

• Empty & Clean Grease Traps


• Refrigeration Coils -  Clean to remove dust


• Wash Walls and Ceiling - Otherwise, grease will build up over time and difficult to clean


• Hot Line Washing - To prevent any clog.


• Freezers & Ice Machine - Empty out, clean and sanitize


• Use Degreaser - Behind stoves, fryers, and ovens. This will prevent grease fire.

Semi-Annual Restaurant Cleaning Checklist

• Deep Clean -  Kitchen hood, duct, vent and fan


• Remove Clutter -  And reorganize working and storage area


• Fire System - Check on fire sprinkler system and portable fire extinguishers

Get Your Restaurant Cleaning Supply from Amazon.com

For the best deal and for good bargain, browse through these list of items from Amazon.com for your restaurant cleaning needs on cleaning supply and restaurant cleaning equipment. 

Looking for Help to Start, Grow & Run a Successful Restaurant?

At BestTemplates, there are over 1000 business designs, forms, templates & documents to help you achieve success in your cafe business. Pop over to their website and browse through not just templates for restaurants but also for legal, accounts, marketing, business proposals, brochures, reports and etc.

So, What's the Big Deal?

The deal is on the money.

A clean restaurant will translate into several savings and advantages. So put that in your business plan. Benefits that you will see in the short, medium and long term such as:

• Repeat customers who like the clean ambiance and good food.


• A pleasant restaurant for customers to bring their families and friends.


• A better place for staff to work and hence, lower staff turnover. 


• Good cleaning habits will reduce the chain of contamination.


• Reduce chances of fire risk.


• Avoid unnecessary fines from authorities, which can be hefty.


• Efficient equipment means energy savings and less downtime.


• Will also extend equipment life.


• Lower pest control cost.


• Reduce wastages from the front of the restaurant and kitchen.

Like all things, any schedule, if not monitored well, will not be effective. So do your part.

Proud of Your Clean Restaurant?

Share it on social media or publish it on your restaurant's website.

Do you have something to share or add to these restaurant cleaning checklists? Feel free to add them in the comment box below.

Cheers.