Kitchen cleaning schedule template
By the Daybook teamPublished 20 October 2026Last checked 20 October 2026
Covers: England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with notes for Scotland
The short answer
A cleaning schedule lists what needs cleaning, how often, which product to use, and who did it. GOV.UK says to set one up and keep a record, and not cleaning thoroughly is one of the most common reasons food businesses are prosecuted.
What goes in it
| Item | Typical frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Food prep surfaces, boards | After each use | Clean, then disinfect |
| Hand-contact points | Several times a day | Handles, switches, screens, taps |
| Sinks, microwave, hob | Daily | |
| Floors | Daily | More often in service |
| Bins | Daily inside; weekly outside | |
| Fridge interiors and seals | Weekly | Move food to another fridge |
| Extraction canopy and filters | Weekly or as needed | Grease builds up fast |
| Walls, shelves, behind equipment | Weekly or monthly | Put on the deep clean rota |
Frequencies are a starting point. Set your own in your food safety management system.
Use the right product
Not every cleaning product kills bacteria. GOV.UK says to look for a disinfectant labelled BS EN 1276 or BS EN 13697, and to follow the instructions for dilution and contact time. Store cleaning products away from food.
Clean as you go
Clean and disinfect surfaces and equipment after they’ve touched raw food, before anything ready-to-eat goes near them.
Prove it
A schedule with no ticks doesn’t show anything. Make sure each task is signed by whoever did it, at the time. In Daybook, cleaning tasks are signed by name, and the week view shows anything missed.
Free template
Kitchen cleaning schedule (PDF)
Sources
Rules can change and differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Check with your local authority food safety team if you’re unsure. Daybook helps you keep records. It does not give legal advice or certify training.
Keep this record on your phone
Cleaning and pest control, signed and dated.
Daybook is the food safety diary for UK kitchens. Staff sign each check on their own iPhone; the office reads the week and makes an inspection record for any dates.