A clean office is a catalyst for efficiency and psychological well-being. Maintaining a schedule that includes regular trash removal and sweeping and mopping the floors ensures dirt is removed quickly, before it can cause distractions or allergen reactions in employees.
Establishing a cleaning checklist is key to ensuring your in-house team and outside professional cleaners are on the same page about what needs to be done.
Common Areas
Whether they’re conference rooms, break areas, or kitchens, common areas are where employees meet up to chat, grab food, and relax in groups. Because of their high traffic, these spaces need special attention when it comes to cleaning and disinfection.
Wiping frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, phones, and keyboards with disinfectant wipes can help minimize the spread of germs in these areas. Similarly, sanitizing countertops and restocking supplies like hand soap and toilet paper can also keep these areas clean and healthy for everyone’s use.
Keeping a routine of office cleaning is essential for any business. By following a regular cleaning schedule, businesses can maintain a professional and inviting work environment for their employees. But what happens when certain areas go overlooked during the cleaning process? These four workplace areas often get forgotten, but they’re easy to fix with a little extra effort. Here’s how.
Restrooms
If you are looking to keep your office restrooms clean and sanitary, you need to establish cleaning procedures. This helps your employees to know what areas need to be cleaned and how often, which is the best way to achieve consistent, high-quality results. Following a cleaning checklist helps ensure all surfaces are thoroughly cleaned, sets expectations and helps to prevent cross contamination.
Start by ensuring that the restroom is empty of guests before beginning your cleaning procedure. Use a long handled dusting tool to remove dust from ceiling corners, wall vents and the tops of partitions. Be sure to also wipe down light fixtures, window sills and other high areas that collect dust.
Empty trash receptacles and refill soap, paper towel and toilet tissue dispensers as needed. Consider installing touch-free fittings to minimize germ spread. Be sure to wear rubber gloves when cleaning as well to prevent contact with dangerous chemicals. Lastly, wipe down mirrors and handles to leave them sparkling clean.
Break Rooms
The office break room is a space for employees to grab a quick snack or a cup of coffee. However, it is also a breeding ground for germs. Things like microwaves, coffee pot handles, faucets, and refrigerators are touched many times during the day and breed bacteria if they aren’t disinfected properly. In addition, items like cotton dishcloths and sink sponges can be a source of spreadable germs. It’s best to use disposable paper towels and wipers in the breakroom.
Cleanup between professional cleanings can be facilitated by having plenty of storage for napkins, paper towels, and cleaning supplies in the break room. By making these cleaning supplies visible and easily accessible, people will be more likely to help keep the break room clean. In addition, having large garbage cans that are emptied often will minimize the risk of spills and bad odors. Also, making sure that the cleaning cart is stocked with disinfecting wipes and multi-surface cleaner will help people be more willing to pitch in when necessary.
Office Desks
Office desks are hot spots for germs, so enhancing your cleaning and disinfection practices here is important. This can include wiping down all surfaces, knobs, and handles on desktop furniture. It’s also a great opportunity to organize and de-clutter your workspace. Gather up all the paperwork that has accumulated, and discard any documents or files that are no longer relevant. Be sure to shred any confidential material before throwing it out. Also, give any excess pens, notepads, or scissors to co-workers who could use them.
If your desk is a wooden one, consider giving it some TLC with a wood polish. It can protect the surface from water damage and keep it looking shiny and new. Also, think about placing the computer monitor on a stand, as this can elevate it to a more ergonomic level and free up space on your clean desk. Lastly, install shelves above your desk to store binders and other resources.
Here’s a professional in office cleaning that you can employ: