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Is Your Workplace Really Clean? Cartridge People’s 2026 Survey Reveals All
From shared desks and equipment to kitchens, washrooms, and high-traffic areas, cleanliness is more important than ever, especially with flu viruses reaching the highest levels since 2001 in December 2025.
To better understand how businesses are managing hygiene today, Cartridge People recently conducted a Workplace Hygiene Survey. It explores cleaning expectations, employee attitudes towards their own and others’ hygiene and overall perceptions of cleanliness within the workplace.
Is Cleaning Frequent Enough?
One of the most encouraging findings is that cleaning is happening regularly in most workplaces. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (74%) reported that general cleaning tasks are carried out daily or multiple times per day. Many organisations are ensuring cleanliness maintains a consistent high standard, with over half relying on external or mixed cleaning providers rather than leaving hygiene solely to general staff.
However, frequency alone doesn’t always translate into confidence. While 81% of respondents feel their workplace cleaning arrangements are effective, a noticeable minority remain neutral or dissatisfied.
Access to Cleaning Supplies Drives Good Habits
Cleaning teams play a vital role, but cleaners aren’t often present all day. This means that daily hygiene also depends heavily on employee access to cleaning supplies. Small tasks like washing up coffee mugs, wiping a small spill, and making sure rubbish is put in the appropriate bin often fall onto the individuals creating such mess.
While 58% of respondents said cleaning products like wipes and sanitiser are always available, a further 25% said they’re only sometimes accessible. Around one in ten respondents reported that supplies are rarely available or not provided at all. High-touch surfaces, shared equipment, and busy communal areas need regular attention, especially in busy offices.
When products aren’t easy to find or are unavailable, hygiene becomes something people put off: leaving used kitchenware in the sink or forgetting to wipe crumbs and spilt food from lunch, assuming someone else will deal with it. Making cleaning supplies visible and convenient encourages employees to take immediate action and helps maintain standards between scheduled cleans.
Hygiene Is Important But Behaviour Isn’t Always Consistent
Nearly three-quarters of respondents said personal hygiene at work is very or extremely important to them, and 80% wash or sanitise their hands several times a day or more.
Handwashing is most common after toilet use and before eating, but fewer people consistently clean their hands after handling shared equipment or coming into contact with colleagues. These everyday interactions are easy to overlook, yet they play a significant role in how germs spread in shared environments. During the colder months, colds ravage workplaces. It’s possible that less people would be impacted if everyone was more vigilant in their own cleanliness.
Simple reminders, signage, and easy access to hand sanitiser can help bridge this gap and reinforce good habits beyond the obvious moments.
Is There A Hidden Hygiene Gap?
One of the most interesting findings was about personal workspaces. While some employees clean their desks or equipment daily, nearly 30% clean rarely or not at all, 14% of which say they don’t clean their workspace whatsoever.
This doesn’t necessarily reflect a lack of care. More often, it points to unclear responsibility or lack of suitable supplies. When expectations aren’t defined, people may assume desk hygiene isn’t their role, particularly in busy workplaces.
This becomes an issue particularly in spaces where hot desking is popular. Employees expect their space to be clean, yet do not take action to ensure it is clean for others. Providing desk-friendly wipes and clearly communicating shared responsibility can make a significant difference with very little effort.
Responding to Hygiene Concerns
The survey also highlights the importance of responsiveness. While 31% of respondents have raised hygiene concerns that were addressed, 15% have either reported issues that weren’t resolved or wanted to raise concerns but didn’t.
No one wants to work in a messy office. Unaddressed hygiene issues, even minor ones, can undermine trust and make employees feel that cleanliness isn’t taken seriously. Clear reporting processes reinforce a culture where hygiene is everyone’s responsibility and make the workplace a better experience.
Small Improvements, Big Impact
Interestingly, when asked what would improve hygiene, respondents focused on practical changes rather than major structural ones. More frequent cleaning and better supplies topped the list, followed by clearer communication and training.
A key takeaway from the survey is having clear boundaries around who is responsible for maintaining certain areas of the office. Having external cleaning teams attend regularly is one thing, but getting employees to maintain cleanliness during times when a cleaning crew isn’t there is just as important. Employees need to be held accountable and any additional cleaning required should be shared equally across the team.
Supporting Better Workplace Hygiene
At Cartridge People, we support businesses with a wide range of professional cleaning supplies, from disinfectant wipes and hand sanitiser to paper products and janitorial essentials. Having the right products available, where and when they’re needed, makes it easier for both cleaning teams and employees to maintain high hygiene standards every day.
As this year’s survey shows, workplace hygiene is no longer just about compliance; it’s about creating environments where people feel comfortable.
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