Gyms, BBQ areas, rooftop terraces and function rooms are major selling points for apartment buildings. They’re also among the most complained-about spaces when they’re not looked after: greasy hotplates, sweaty equipment and overflowing bins after a busy weekend. Here’s how to keep shared facilities in shape.
Gyms
Shared gyms are high-touch spaces used by many people.
Every visit
- Wipe and sanitise equipment touch points: handles, seats, benches and screens
- Clean mirrors and glass
- Vacuum or mop floors, including under equipment
- Empty bins; restock wipes and sanitiser where supplied
Monthly
- Dust fans, vents and cabinetry
- Deep clean rubber flooring with the manufacturer’s recommended product
Broken or damaged equipment is a safety issue and should be reported immediately.
BBQ areas
The BBQ is the classic strata complaint. A good routine:
- Hotplates scraped and cleaned, especially after weekends and public holidays
- Grease trays emptied and cleaned
- Benches, sinks and tables wiped and sanitised
- Bins emptied and surrounds swept
A “please clean after use” sign and scrapers help, but they don’t replace a regular clean.
Rooftops, terraces and function rooms
- Sweep and mop floors
- Wipe outdoor furniture and glass balustrades within safe reach
- Clean kitchenettes and appliances
- Restock consumables
- Check after bookings: function rooms often need a clean after each event
Saunas and steam rooms
Warm, damp environments grow bacteria and mould. Clean frequently with products suitable for timber and tiles, follow the manufacturer’s advice, and never use harsh chemicals on sauna timber.
Shared amenities and end-of-trip facilities
Shared toilets, showers and change rooms need the standard of any public amenity: daily cleaning in busy buildings, consumables restocked and hygiene bins serviced.
Hygiene products and surfaces
Each surface needs the right product. Gym upholstery and rubber need cleaners that won’t crack or degrade them; stainless BBQ benches need degreasers that don’t leave residue; natural stone needs pH-neutral products. Strong chlorine products and abrasive pads can damage expensive finishes. Cleaners should follow the manufacturer’s guidance and the product’s safety data sheet.
Booking systems
In buildings where residents book the BBQ, theatre or function room, a check and clean after each booking prevents the next resident finding someone else’s mess. Some buildings charge a bond or cleaning fee. Before-and-after photos from your cleaner help the manager apply those rules fairly.
Summer and holidays
Shared facilities get their heaviest use over summer and school holidays. More visitors mean more litter, more grease and more pressure on amenities. Many buildings add an extra weekly visit, or a short daily check, in peak season. It’s cheaper than dealing with complaints.
What’s not in the cleaner’s scope
Some facilities need specialist contractors. Pool water and pool equipment, for example, are handled by a pool technician or caretaker, and landscaping by a gardener. Strata Cleaning Co. doesn’t provide pool cleaning, but we’re happy to coordinate with the contractors who do so schedules don’t clash.
Safety checks every visit
Cleaners are well placed to spot facility hazards:
- damaged gym equipment or loose cables
- gas BBQ faults or smells
- broken tiles and trip hazards
- slippery surfaces and pooled water
- faulty lighting
Each should be reported immediately with a photo, so the manager can arrange repairs and restrict access if needed. Our cleaners log them in our client portal.
Frequency
In busy buildings, daily attention to gyms and BBQ areas over summer is common. Smaller schemes might manage with two or three visits a week. Adjust seasonally, and review it each year.
Get it covered
Request a free quote and we’ll include your building’s shared facilities in a written scope. See also our body corporate cleaning checklist.
By Strata Cleaning Co. · 6 October 2026