An art gallery should feel calm and almost invisible, so the work on the walls gets all the attention. White walls, polished floors, clean glass and good lighting do that job well. Scuff marks along the skirting, fingerprints on a display case or a dusty plinth pull the eye away from the art.

Galleries also hold valuable, sometimes irreplaceable work. A careless swing of a vacuum cord or a spray of cleaner in the wrong place can cause damage no cleaning budget can fix.

This guide covers how commercial galleries, artist run spaces, studios and exhibition venues in Adelaide can keep their spaces clean without putting artworks at risk.

Quick answer: Gallery cleaning focuses on floors, walls, glass, entries, bathrooms and office areas, never on the artworks themselves. Cleaners should keep a safe distance from works, never spray liquids near them, use dry or lightly dampened methods close to displays and follow the gallery’s rules for each exhibition. Plan extra cleaning before openings and after events, and leave artwork and display case interiors to gallery staff or conservators.

The Golden Rule: Never Touch the Art

Write this into every scope of works:

• Cleaners never touch, move, dust or wipe artworks
• Cleaners never clean inside display cases
• Cleaners never spray any liquid near artworks, frames or plinths with works on them
• Cleaners keep vacuum cords, mops and trolleys away from works
• Cleaners report any damage, dust or marks on works to gallery staff

Artwork care belongs to gallery staff, registrars or conservators, who know the materials and how to handle them.

What a Gallery Cleaner Usually Covers

Floors

Galleries often have polished concrete, timber or sealed floors. They need dust mopping to remove grit, then light damp mopping with products suited to the finish. Keep mops well wrung out near walls with works hanging. Vacuum carefully near plinths and installations, keeping the cord behind you.

Walls and skirting

White walls show every mark. Spot clean scuffs and fingerprints on walls between works, as agreed with staff. Wipe skirting boards regularly. Leave wall touch ups and repainting to the gallery’s install team.

Glass

• Clean entry doors and shopfront windows
• Clean the outside of display cases with a cloth sprayed away from the case, never sprayed directly
• Clean glass balustrades and partitions

Plinths and furniture

Empty plinths can be wiped as agreed. Plinths with works on them should be left to staff. Wipe benches and seating for visitors.

Entry, reception and shop

• Clean the front counter, EFTPOS terminal and catalogue stands
• Dust shelves in the gallery shop
• Clean the entry mat and floor

Bathrooms, office and storage areas

• Clean bathrooms and restock supplies
• Clean the office and staff kitchen
• Sweep storage areas only if staff agree, since they may hold works in transit

Dust Control

Dust settles on frames, plinths and display cases and can affect some artworks over time.

• Use HEPA filtered vacuums that trap fine dust
• Use good entry mats to stop dust coming in on shoes
• Dust high ledges, vents and light fittings regularly, away from works
• Avoid dry sweeping, which throws dust into the air
• Report heavy dust on works to staff

Products and Chemicals

Some cleaning products give off fumes or residues that can affect sensitive materials. Use mild, low odour products, avoid aerosols and strong solvents in exhibition areas, and follow any product restrictions the gallery or conservator sets. Store chemicals away from exhibition spaces.

Exhibitions Change, So Should the Scope

Each exhibition can bring new layouts, floor works, installations, sound and video equipment or fragile pieces. Before each new show, walk the space with the gallery team and agree any changes to the cleaning routine, such as no go zones around floor works or installations.

Openings and Events

Opening nights bring crowds, drinks and food. Plan a detailed clean before the opening: floors, glass, bathrooms, entry and walls. Then book a clean the morning after to clear cups, spills and crumbs before the gallery opens to the public. Treat drink spills on floors quickly, especially near works.

Artist Studios and Workshops

Studios and workshops attached to galleries may have paint, plaster, clay or other materials. Agree which areas the cleaner covers and which the artist manages. Cleaners shouldn’t touch work in progress, tools or materials.

What It Costs

In Adelaide, commercial cleaning usually costs $32 to $56 per hour, or about $1.76 to $3.44 per square metre per clean. Galleries may need extra time for careful work around exhibitions, and pre opening and post event cleans are usually quoted separately.

Questions to Ask a Cleaner

Ask whether they have cleaned galleries or museums before, whether they understand the no touch rule for artworks, which products they use and whether they’re low odour, whether they use HEPA vacuums, and whether they can work around exhibition installs and opening nights. Ask for a current public liability certificate and check that it suits your needs.

An experienced commercial cleaning Adelaide team will follow your rules for each exhibition without needing reminders. Gallery offices and administration areas can be covered as part of the same office cleaning Adelaide schedule.

How Ms Clean AU Can Help

Ms Clean AU provides commercial cleaning Adelaide SA services from our base at 71 Alexandra Street, Prospect. We offer after hours and weekend cleaning, window cleaning and written scopes that set out exactly which areas and items we clean and which we leave alone. Every new site starts with a free on site assessment and a fixed written price. We hold $20 million public liability insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do gallery cleaners clean artworks?
No. Artworks, display case interiors and works in progress are cared for by gallery staff or conservators.

How should gallery floors be cleaned?
Dust mop first, then lightly damp mop with a product suited to the floor, keeping mops well wrung out near works.

Can cleaners clean display cases?
Only the outside, using a cloth sprayed away from the case. Never spray directly onto or near a case.

Which products are safe for gallery cleaning?
Mild, low odour products, avoiding aerosols and strong solvents near works. Follow any restrictions from your conservator.

When should a gallery be cleaned around an opening?
A detailed clean before the opening and a clean the morning after.

How much does gallery cleaning cost in Adelaide?
Commercial cleaning usually costs $32 to $56 per hour. Pre opening and post event cleans are usually quoted separately.

Let the Art Do the Talking

Ms Clean AU helps Adelaide galleries and exhibition spaces stay clean and calm, so visitors see the work, not the dust. We start with a free on site assessment and give you a fixed written price.

Call 0480 321 027 or email [email protected] for your free quote.
Ms Clean AU, 71 Alexandra Street, Prospect SA 5082