If you’re an office manager, chances are you know that cleanliness is key to creating a productive and healthy workplace. But with so many tasks to accomplish, it’s easy to miss the little details when it comes to keeping your workspace tidy and organized.
To ensure your office stays spick-and-span and free of messes, read on for the most common office cleaning mistakes you should avoid!
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Neglecting High-touch Areas
High-touch areas in office buildings, such as workstations, door handles, and elevator buttons, are often neglected when it comes to cleaning. This can not only lead to the spread of germs and bacteria but also reduce employee morale.
It’s important for office managers and business owners to ensure these surfaces are regularly wiped down with disinfectants and thoroughly cleaned with microfiber cloths. Additionally, all shared equipment should be disinfected between uses, and liquid hand soap provided for employees.
Cleaning high-touch areas on a regular basis not only helps keep a clean and tidy workplace but also helps maintain an environment that is safe from illnesses.
Inadequate Cleaning Supplies
When it comes to office cleaning, having the right supplies and tools is essential for creating an environment that is free of dirt, dust and other germs. Without the right tools, achieving a spotless office space can be impossible. It’s important to make sure that your office cleaning staff have everything they need to keep your office clean and germ-free.
Some of the most common supplies used by professional office cleaners include:
- Vacuum cleaners
- Mops and buckets
- Microfiber cloths
- Dusters
- Paper towels
- EPA-registered disinfectants
Depending on your specific needs, you may also require sponge wipes, carpet shampoo rental services, or aerosol spray cans. Professional cleaning companies can provide these supplies as part of their service, and ensure that your office is cleaned properly. Having adequate cleaning supplies not only ensures that your office is being cleaned properly; it also lessens the risk of cross-contamination from one area to another.
There should be enough supplies so that individuals do not have to share equipment between multiple rooms or areas within the same day. It’s also important for all supplies used during cleaning operations to be cleaned before being used in another area or room as well as stored in designated shelving/cabinets after each use so bacteria does not have a chance to accumulate. A professional cleaning service company can help you with this process and ensure that your office is cleaned and disinfected properly.
Not Having a Cleaning Schedule
Having a cleaning schedule is one of the most important steps of running a successful office. By keeping up with a well-thought-out maintenance plan, you can decrease the amount of time needed to keep your office clean and tidy.
The benefits of scheduling regular cleaning sessions include:
- Reducing waste of cleaning supplies
- Organizing your workflow
- Improving safety in the premises
- Setting achievable goals
In order to create the perfect schedule, you should consider factors such as the number of employees, areas that require extra attention (which may depend on foot traffic), and which areas need to be cleaned more frequently.
When it comes to office hygiene, not following a strict cleaning schedule can have serious consequences for both your staff and clients’ health. Poor hygiene increases risks such as spreading viruses and illnesses via surfaces that are rarely cleaned or using non-disinfectant products that do not eliminate harmful bacteria from surfaces. This poses more health risks in high density occupied areas.
Therefore, it is essential that you establish a daily or weekly routine for cleaning each part of your office. Pay special attention to high traffic areas like bathrooms, kitchens/canteens/break rooms/ reception desks, meeting rooms/ offices as well as shared staff equipment like keyboards and mice which accumulate lots of dust particles over time.
Another important aspect of scheduling regular cleanings is giving recognition to professionals who do an excellent job while taking extra precaution measures during their routine (such as wearing masks during times of outbreaks). This will ensure a healthy environment for everyone present in the premises, thus providing peace of mind when conducting meetings or day-to-day activities within the office settings.
Not Training Employees on Proper Cleaning Techniques
It is essential to ensure that employees understand how to clean and the correct products, tools and techniques for different areas in the office. Without proper training, even the most motivated employees can create more mess and can also be unsafe. Before assigning tasks, it is important to conduct training sessions or talks with employees and remind them of the correct cleaning procedures.
It is recommended to provide demonstrations on proper cleaning methods that should be followed in each area of the office space—regardless of the size of your business. This includes emphasizing the importance of using personal protective equipment such as: gloves when handling chemicals or wipes when cleaning sanitary surfaces. Also consider providing additional protective items like safety glasses and masks when possible, especially if handling harsh chemicals or operating machinery.
Clear written instructions detailing what items must be cleaned and how frequently will help set expectations for everyone involved in the cleaning process. When it comes to chemical usage, staff should be aware not only how much they should use but also where they are using it; while improper mixing or concentrations can cause serious health hazards, incorrect dilution can reduce effectiveness sometimes leading to bad odors or staining carpets.
Lastly, provide feedback on a regular basis in order for employees to maintain a high level of cleaning quality standards across their workspace.
Not Regularly Disinfecting Surfaces
One of the most common office cleaning mistakes is not regularly disinfecting surfaces and equipment. A properly cleaned workplace should be free from bacteria, germs, and dirt. Regularly disinfecting surfaces that are used frequently – such as door handles, keyboards and telephones – will reduce the amount of contaminants present in the workspace and help prevent the spread of disease and illness.
For maximum effectiveness, use a product that is specifically designed to eliminate 99.9% of germs in five minutes or less while leaving a residual effect that kills additional germs in an hour or less.
Not Addressing Spills and Stains Promptly
Mishaps happen, and there is no shortage of potential spills, accidents, and stains in the office. No matter how careful everyone is, messes still occur and occasionally need to be cleaned up. One of the most common mistakes made while cleaning office spaces is not addressing spills and stains in a prompt manner. If a spill isn’t taken care of right away, it can quickly spread—causing further damage to carpets and furniture. Moreover, the longer the spill sits, the harder it will be to remove it—creating an even bigger headache for those tasked with cleaning.
No matter the type of mess or spill, quick action should be taken to minimize any potential damage. This can include blotting or absorbing as much liquid as possible before applying any cleaning agents or solutions to the affected area. An effective cleaner should also be selected when dealing with specific types of messes, as this will help to ensure that stains and spots are removed properly with minimal risk for discoloration or abrasions on surfaces. Keeping an adequate supply of cleaning items handy can also make successful stain removal more likely. In some cases though—especially with substances like ink—it may be best to call a professional service for assistance in preserving your office materials and furniture.
Not Taking Care of the Trash and Waste Disposal
Maintaining a clean, sanitary office environment is essential to promote healthy habits at work and help prevent the spread of germs. However, many people avoid taking the necessary steps to keep their workspace clean and this can lead to an increase in contamination.
One essential aspect of office cleaning that gets overlooked more often than not is trash and waste disposal. All organic and inorganic waste should be removed on a regular basis to prevent dirt and grime buildup, foul odors, pest infestation, and poor air quality. Proper garbage bags should be used since loose rubbish can easily tip over or be scattered around by animals, insects or wind. Grease-resistant trash bags with tightly sealed lids can also help reduce spills when disposing of potentially hazardous liquids such as oils or paint thinners. Additionally, all sharp objects such as broken glass or blades need to be removed immediately with protective gloves before any deep cleaning operation is implemented to avoid accidents or injuries.
To maintain order and provide a safe environment for employees to work in, waste management protocols have to be followed closely.
Not Cleaning Hard-to-reach Areas
When it comes to cleaning, most people tend to focus on cleaning visible surfaces and forget the areas that are often hard to reach. This includes undersides of furniture, top shelves, corners of walls, and other small crevices. Cleaning these areas may require using ladders or other specialized tools, which may seem like a lot of work. Nonetheless, cleaning these often forgotten or hard-to-reach spaces is crucial when it comes to keeping your workplace as clean and hygienic as possible.
Furthermore, dust accumulation in these places can lead to cross-contamination if it gets on other surfaces – high shelves can lead dust particles coming off and onto tables and other items around them without us ever seeing it happen. Not only that but sticky substances like cobwebs need to be removed too as they can attract pests – having them in the office is unhygienic and can impede productivity too!
Therefore, making sure hard-to-reach areas are regularly cleaned should be a priority for any workspace – maybe have someone specialize in this or invest time each week for a deep clean so that you know everything is taken care of!
Not Having a Protocol for Deep Cleaning
Deep cleaning isn’t just a one-time event – it’s an ongoing process. To establish a successful protocol for deep cleaning, you need to identify the areas of your office that require the most attention and come up with a plan to tackle these areas on a periodic basis. The frequency of the cleanings will depend on how often the office is used, but in general deep cleanings should be done at least once every month or two.
Simple and regular cleanings should include dusting surfaces and mopping floors, but deep cleanings should involve more intensive tasks such as steam cleaning carpets, polishing furniture, washing windows, scrubbing walls and ceilings, and sanitizing light fixtures and door handles. It’s important to create a checklist that outlines all of the steps you need to take during the deep cleaning process so that nothing is overlooked or forgotten. A checklist can also be used as an accountability tool to make sure everyone involved with the process is completing their assigned tasks in a timely manner.
Not Keeping Track of Inventory and Restocking Cleaning Supplies
It is essential to keep track of the inventory so you can restock cleaning supplies when needed. This means that it is important to keep records of how much cleaning products are being used, as well as when each item should be replaced based on your specific needs. For example, if you are running out of glass cleaner faster than normal, it could be a sign that you should add an extra bottle of glass cleaner to your shopping list.
Having the right amount of cleaning supplies ensures optimal productivity, prevents the risk of mistreating surfaces due to lack of products or improper use of supplies and avoids delay in completing tasks or damage to parts or equipment. Make sure you always check for any spillage or leakage before restocking in order to avoid overstocking as well as running out unexpectedly in the midst of cleaning tasks.
Using Harsh Chemicals for Cleaning
When it comes to office cleaning, many businesses make the mistake of using too many harsh chemicals. It’s easy to think that strong cleaners are the best-performing products, but this can have adverse effects on your workplace. Harsh chemical cleaners can pose a safety risk for employees and customers if they are not used properly, and they can also give off strong odors that may bother staff and visitors.
It’s important to make sure you use the right type of cleaner in each area of your workplace. Opt for natural solutions like white vinegar or baking soda whenever possible. These substances are effective cleaners without containing harsh synthetic ingredients that can be bad for both people and the environment.
For tasks like deodorizing carpets or washing windows, consider using green cleaning products made with plant-based ingredients rather than abrasive chemicals that may damage delicate surfaces or pollute nearby areas with fumes. The same goes for hard surfaces; try non-toxic floor cleaners free from volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Your janitorial staff should also take extra care when storing any chemical solutions onsite – never leave bags or containers of any kind unattended in work areas as long-term exposure to certain VOCs has been linked to cancer and respiratory issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common office cleaning mistakes?
Some of the most common office cleaning mistakes include not paying attention to details, not vacuuming regularly, neglecting to dust, not sanitizing bathrooms, and not cleaning and organizing clutter.
How often should I vacuum the office?
You should vacuum the office at least once a week to ensure the removal of dust and dirt.
What is the best way to clean and organize clutter?
The best way to clean and organize clutter is to have designated areas for items, such as filing cabinets, shelves, and drawers. This will help keep the space organized and make it easier to clean.
Conclusion
Taking the time to identify common office cleaning mistakes and the easiest ways to avoid them is the key to keeping your workspace looking neat and professional. With routine cleaning and maintenance, clutter will remain low, surfaces will be spotless, and dirt and dust won’t accumulate as quickly. Additionally, following these tips when performing deep-cleaning tasks like carpet or furniture cleaning can also help keep your office in top shape.
By being aware of common office cleaning mistakes you can ensure that your workspace is always clean enough to make an impression on visiting clients or customers.