Maintaining a clean office is essential to both employee well-being and business continuity. By implementing a strategic cleaning plan that targets common germ hot spots and follows office hygiene best practices, you can create a healthier, more resilient work environment.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to prevent the spread of germs in offices through proper cleaning practices.
How a Clean Office Reduces Illness
A workplace that follows office cleaning best practices for hygiene directly protects employees from the germs that cause illness. Routine cleaning removes dust, dirt and pathogens from high-touch surfaces, helping to prevent the spread of germs in offices and reduce the risk of outbreaks.
By reducing illness through cleaning, your business experiences fewer employee sick days and improved workplace morale.
Your Office’s Most Common Germ Hot Spots
Some areas in an office harbor far more germs than others. Recognizing and regularly cleaning these germ hot spots is essential for maintaining workplace hygiene and preventing the spread of illness. In your germ prevention cleaning checklist, you should include these areas:
- Desks and workstations
- Shared computers and keyboards
- Door handles, elevator buttons and light switches
- Breakroom countertops, sink handles, refrigerator doors and coffee makers
- Bathroom faucets, flush handles and door locks
Office Cleaning Best Practices
Following expert guidelines ensures your cleaning efforts produce tangible results for employee health. For optimal hygiene, it’s best to clean first, then disinfect:
- Cleaning: Use detergent or soap and water to physically remove dust, dirt and debris from surfaces. Cleaning helps reduce the amount of germs, but it does not kill them.
- Disinfecting: After cleaning, use a disinfectant to eliminate any remaining germs on high-touch surfaces. Choose one that’s registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as this ensures it is effective. Always follow the product’s contact time, as it indicates how long the surface should remain wet to achieve complete disinfection.
Clean and disinfect high-traffic areas and shared equipment regularly. You can clean other areas when they are visibly dirty. Make sure you use microfiber cloths for better dirt and germ removal. Additionally, wear gloves and change them regularly to prevent cross-contamination.
Encouraging Employee Participation in Maintaining Cleanliness
Maintaining a healthy office is a team effort. Encourage employees to wipe down their workstations and shared technology daily, use hand sanitizer and follow posted handwashing guidelines. Provide disinfectant wipes and sanitizer stations throughout the workplace for easy access. When everyone takes small steps, it helps prevent the spread of germs and keeps your entire team safer.
Partner with Professionals for a Healthier Workplace
Constantly keeping your office clean and germ-free can be challenging, especially as your team grows. That’s why it’s best to enlist the help of cleaning experts. Since 1976, Professional Building Maintenance (PBM) has brought industry-certified technicians to every job, using proven methods and advanced equipment to deliver thorough, reliable cleaning.
Contact us today to get a free estimate for your office space.
