Did you know a clean and well-sanitized office can impact workers’ productivity? According to research, the physical work environment affects the worker’s psychological perceptions and reactions. Another study supports the claim that the physical work environment influences employee well-being and performance. Therefore, a clean and organized workspace is the first step to promoting productivity, in addition to the apparent health benefits.
Investing in professional office cleaning services is necessary to improve productivity or protect your employees’ well-being. But are you confident that you’re cleaning in all the essential spots? Take note of these commonly overlooked areas during office cleaning to make the most of your office cleaners. At the same time, you can be confident that you have an adequately sanitized office space that isn’t a health hazard.
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Most Overlooked Areas in the Office When Cleaning
Even if your office hires cleaners regularly, are you sure they’re not missing key areas? Take note of these overlooked office areas and ensure they are addressed on your next cleaning schedule.
Computers & Keyboards
Computers and keyboards are a fixture in modern office space. But, unfortunately, they’re notorious for harboring bacteria and germs.
Dirt, sweat, food debris, and nasty things can accumulate between the keyboard spaces. Other computer parts are equally vulnerable to collecting dirt and bacteria. Even the screens are dust and fingerprint magnets!
Since you come into contact with the computer and keyboards while doing your work, there is a risk of exposure to harmful germs and bacteria. In addition, dirty computer parts and hardware can also be prone to damage. If you have to replace your computers and parts frequently, it could negatively impact your bottom line.
Printers & Photocopiers
Like keyboards and computers, these items of office equipment come with many buttons and crevices where dust and other allergens can hide. So if you place them inside pull-out drawers, it’s essential to clean those drawers as well as the printers and photocopiers.
Many employees touch the printers and photocopiers during the day, which could lead to the transfer of harmful bacteria. Wiping them down daily is insufficient. Your office cleaning company should include them during your cleaning routine to ensure they are safe and not becoming instruments for transmitting germs and bacteria.
Kitchen and Pantry Appliances
The pantry is one of several common areas in the office. Therefore, it’s crucial to thoroughly clean the pantry, especially the appliances that employees use regularly. For example, the sink and the microwave. These are commonly used items in the kitchen pantry and should always be kept clean.
However, regular cleaning won’t be enough if many use them daily. You need to thoroughly disinfect the kitchen appliances and pantry surfaces to avoid the spread of bacteria. Depending on how many people use these kitchen appliances, you can schedule a monthly or weekly cleaning schedule.
Pay close attention to neglected kitchen appliances, such as the coffee maker, tea kettle, and water dispenser. Ensure the cleaners perform a deep individual cleaning on each appliance.
Lighting Fixtures & Fans
All offices have lighting fixtures and fans to make the working environment comfortable and suitable for employees. But you may be surprised to know how many offices neglect cleaning them regularly, even if they do hire office cleaners. Instead, most offices focus on the walls, floors, and work surfaces. However, you should also consider the lighting fixtures and ceiling fans, as they can accumulate dirt over time.
Layered dust and dirt can also pose additional problems. For example, for lighting fixtures, too much dust can affect the lighting fixture’s ability to offer proper illumination to the office space. Meanwhile, too much dust on ceiling fans could facilitate the spread of allergens in the room.
Regularly cleaning the lighting fixtures and ceiling fans should be part of your regular office cleaning schedule. It ensures that you can get rid of any dust and dirt that not only depletes your employees’ productivity but could also pose a health threat.
Door Handles and Keypads
It might seem obvious, but door handles and keypads are often neglected when it comes to office cleaning. But imagine how many people touch these surfaces daily! Therefore, it is one of those overlooked areas in the office that can facilitate the spread of bacteria.
Whether you have door handles or use fingerprint scanners to access your office space, paying attention to these surfaces is essential to maintain an office in pristine condition.
Shared furniture is a standard fixture in offices, especially in reception or break rooms. When you hire a professional cleaner for the office, make sure they take the time to clean the shared furniture. Many people use the furniture daily, especially if you have visitors in the office, too.
People can come into contact with any surface in the shared furniture and spread germs that way. To maintain a healthy office environment, get your office cleaners to condition, rinse, and steam clean the shared furniture, especially the upholstered ones. This type of furniture can accumulate odor and germs, so they need special attention.
Other types of shared furniture, such as tables or those with hard surfaces, must be wiped down regularly. You should also use this same approach in the conference room. Ensure the conference room equipment, such as shared keyboards and remote control for presentations, is thoroughly clean and sanitized.
Ducts & Vents
Since they’re out of sight, it’s easy to neglect cleaning the ducts and vents when regularly cleaning your office. However, they’re critical to ensuring a clean and healthy work environment.
You need a professional cleaning service to maintain your ducts and vents and ensure they are thoroughly cleaned. It’s vital to improve the air quality within your office and prevent the spread of allergens.
Conclusion
The list of commonly overlooked areas during office cleaning is not exhaustive. However, you get the idea that it’s easy to miss seemingly obvious spots that require cleaning. Each office set-up is different, so you must pay attention to the areas in your office that you might not have given attention to regarding cleaning. Inspect your office to see if there are any spots you haven’t cleaned for a while.
