The cleanliness of the premises is the “business card” of every company. It is, therefore, important to keep your space clean to make a good impression on your customers. Indeed, cleaning your offices is a mark of professionalism. In addition, a clean workplace promotes the productivity and efficiency of your employees. Their morale will be high, and they will be more fulfilled in their work. With that said, let’s take a look at how to properly clean your work environment. Here are 11 tips and tricks for effective office cleaning.
1. Organize your files and documents
First and foremost, start by organizing your office. This will prevent a pile of loose papers, documents, and files from accumulating. The most annoying thing is when one of your colleagues can’t find an important file that only you know where you’ve put it; how will they do it in your absence? How to organize your documents? Start by organizing them in binders by category: products, customers, orders, invoices, quotes, vendors, etc.
Don’t forget to label each file so you can get your hands on it when it comes. Be sure to stick to only one filing method, alphabetically or numerically. Done with filing? Sort files that you and your employees can easily access and store in garbage cans or mountable document holders.
Another tip:
- Archive files and folders you almost never need, and don’t hesitate to put them in the archive to free up space in your office.
- In short, consider labeling all your documents and office items and store them in a way that you and your colleagues can easily find them.
- Get rid of anything you no longer use.
- Remember to save room for papers and documents you’ll need to file later.
2. Clean and maintain your electronic devices
Over time, dust and dirt accumulate on your electronic devices. The ones you use every day can quickly turn into real dust and bacteria nests. To keep them in good condition, it is important to clean them regularly. Start by lightly cleaning all screens. You don’t need to use any special product or equipment, just a soft microfiber cloth soaked in a mixture of half distilled water and half white vinegar. You can use this same cloth to remove fingerprints and dust from other surfaces.
Next, focus on all the keyboards in the office; they are often full of dust and detritus. Use a can of compressed air to spray each keyboard to remove dust, dirt, and detritus. If you don’t have a can of air or don’t want to use one, you can buy a small compressed air vacuum on Amazon. You’re not done with the keyboards yet, as you’ll need to carefully clean each key on the keyboard with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol. The keys of the keyboard are also nests of germs and bacteria.
In addition, you will have to clean under all the keyboards; they are real nests of germs and bacteria and are very often full of detritus. You should not only clean computer screens and keyboards but also all other electronic devices such as central units, fax machines, telephones, printers, etc. Be sure to unplug each device before cleaning.
3. Make your break room a priority
The break room is probably not where your employees linger the most, but it is definitely where they relax and clear their heads. That being said, if your break room is spotless, your employees will feel good and boost their morale. That’s why you should make it a priority when cleaning your office.
To keep your break room from looking like a messy kitchen, set a few rules. First, suggest that your employees don’t bring their lunch but prepare it on-site. Then dedicate one day of the week to cleaning and tidying the fridge, emptying everything, and wiping down all the appliances.
Every day, remember to disinfect all tables, chairs, drawers and sinks after each meal to prevent the spread of dirt, bacteria, and germs. Most restrooms have a microwave; if this is your case, clean it inside and outside every day to avoid mold. Needless to say, clean and dry the dishes and drainer.
4. Disinfect the toilet regularly
Cleaning and disinfecting restrooms is a priority and necessary, especially for safety reasons. No matter what type of company you are in, your bathrooms will be used frequently by your customers and employees. Therefore, they need to be cleaned thoroughly every day. If you don’t do it properly and regularly, it can have serious health and safety consequences for everyone, including more germs, bacteria, and infections.
If you own a large company and regularly use a cleaning company, you can be sure that the professionals will disinfect the toilets and everything else. If you’re a small business owner and can’t afford such a service, we’ll help you find a solution that works for you. First, use a toilet brush and a strong disinfectant to clean everything: the seat, the bowl, the outside, and the inside of the bowl.
Use deodorizing tablets to keep the bowl fresh between cleanings. Next, disinfect the bathroom sinks and countertops. Floors should be swept and mopped thoroughly. After cleaning the bathrooms, don’t forget to check that all the towel racks, paper dispensers, and soap dishes are stocked, and often this step is overlooked.
5. Don’t forget your workstation
You spend most of your day at your workstation; you need to treat it like it’s your sanctuary and don’t let clutter set in. Do piles of files and papers accumulate on your desk, and you no longer need them? Stick labels on them, file them, and put them in the right place.
Got dust, dirt, and junk? A good wipe-down will do the trick. You won’t even have to get up from your chair. You’ll work better with a clean and tidy workstation. Are you sure you haven’t forgotten anything? Your desk drawer! Even if you’re the most organized person, I bet your drawer is full of little unnecessary supplies, a pen that hasn’t been written since last week, paper clips, or staples that shouldn’t be there. When you clear out your drawer, you’ll be surprised to find lots of things you’ve been looking for a long time. Don’t forget to clean out your desk drawers before moving on to another task.
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