Sometimes office messes happen gradually. You start laying a few pieces of scrap paper on top of each other, and before you know it, there’s an overwhelming pile. Other times the chaos happens quickly, like when a cup of hot coffee tips off your desk and onto the newly washed carpet.
Fortunately, keeping a clean office doesn’t have to be a challenge.
Here are four simple tips you can follow to keep your office clear and tidy:
1. Deal with a Desk Clutter
Some of the most common causes of clutter include:
- Paper: Take a few minutes at the end of each day to organize the paper you have into separate categories (receipts you no longer need, important notes from colleagues, incomplete to-do lists, etc.) before putting sections away in the correct places or disposing of them.
- Pens: Many of us have a dozen or more pens at our desks, but how many do we really use? Start by separating the pens that work from those that don’t. Next, decide which pens you’re likely to use (and should therefore keep) and which are going to remain unused. Dispose of any broken pens and put good (but unused) ones back for your co-workers.
- Paperclips and Staples: If you have a box at your desk right now, start by taking a few to keep close by. The rest can be divided amongst your co-workers.
The key with all stationary (paper, pens, staples, tape, etc.) is to maintain a well-stocked and well-organized central repository for all your office’s supplies.
2. Keep Food off Your Desk
Many of us (over 39% according to one 2012 study) have grown accustomed to simply reaching for our sandwich at lunch, eating it while responding to a few emails or finishing that last-minute task.
But taking a proper lunch break can bring real benefits:
- Keep your desk (and office clean): Desks typically aren’t the cleanest places around the office. In fact, they can be some of the dirtiest. A study by Kimberly-Clarke Professional found that 27% of keyboards had adenosine triphosphate (ATP) counts above 300, meaning their level of contamination was high.
- Stay healthy: Sitting in one position without taking breaks can be hard on your body. Taking 15 to 30 minutes to enjoy your lunch or socialize with co-workers can curb overindulgence and give your mind a well-earned rest.
What are the three dirtiest surfaces in your office? Read our blog (the answers might surprise you)!
3. Make Sure You Dust and Disinfect
If there are too many things on your desk (paperwork, electronics, etc.), it can be difficult to deal with dust before it’s built up. After tidying your desk, you can wipe any accumulated dust away with a wet cloth or paper towel.
Remember, though, to also use a disinfectant. Applying a damp cloth will let you get rid of superficial particles, but it won’t remove the more stubborn germs (it will only spread them around). To eliminate illness-causing bacteria, keep pre-moistened towelettes or a disinfecting spray at hand.
What’s the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting? Read our blog to find out!
4. Work with a Professional Cleaning Company
Keeping your office space clean and tidy makes it a welcoming, comfortable place for employees and visitors alike:
- Day Porter and Matron Services: Day porters and matrons provide a constant presence in your building, maintaining a high level of cleanliness and reacting to immediate concerns in between your comprehensive, scheduled cleaning sessions. They can keep lobbies and common areas tidy, prepare conference rooms, ensure washrooms are always stocked and fresh, and more.
- Touch Point Cleaning: Touch points are those surfaces which come into frequent contact by multiple people (door handles, light switches, electronics, etc.). Touch point cleaning targets those common problem spots, removing pathogens to keep illnesses at bay.
- Specialized Services like Hard Floor or Carpet Care: Whether it’s a thorough polish or deep clean, hard floors and carpets require special attention to keep them looking and performing their best all year round.
Professional cleaners can use their experience, equipment, and supplies to make keeping your office clean a hassle-free process for you. Work with them to determine the schedules and services that make the most sense for the unique needs of your building and business.
At Sunshine, we are dedicated to delivering industry-leading office cleaning services using the best equipment, products, and practices. Contact us today to discuss your office cleaning needs!
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