Having a clean workplace has far-reaching benefits. Not only is a neat and tidy office more visually appealing, it can also leave a good impression on clients and visitors. What’s more, a well-kept office can ward off germs and keep employees healthy. A dirty office, on the other hand, can lead to health risks and loss of productivity.
That said, below are some of the dirtiest areas in the office and how you can sanitize them properly.
Keyboards
Research shows that the average keyboard houses around 3,295 germs. Dirt and dust from your desk and carpets can get stuck in your keyboard, preventing it from working properly.
Disinfecting your keyboard requires special care, as some gaps can be hard to reach. The first step is to turn your keyboard upside down over a garbage bin and shake out any dirt. Consider using compressed air to force out grime in deep areas. Afterwards, use a cotton swab and high-quality bleach solution to wipe down the keys.
The surface of your desk
Desks are some of the most frequently touched areas in the workplace. Every day, millions of bacteria are spread across your desk that are invisible to the naked eye.
Many employees make the mistake of eating and drinking at their desks. As a result, food particles and spilled liquids can fall into computer keyboards and cause technical issues. Similarly, discarded napkins and utensils can serve as breeding grounds for germs.
Simply wiping your desks down with a damp cloth is not enough. To keep your surfaces spotless, use a high-quality cleaning disinfectant solution every day. Ideally, desks should be wiped at the beginning and end of each shift. It’s also a good idea to keep sanitation tools like Lysol or Clorox wipes on your desk.
Vending machine buttons
No matter how clean a vending machine may look on the outside, it can be an easy spot for germs to spread. Every day, dozens of people use the buttons on the vending machine bringing new sets of bacteria with every touch.
Unfortunately, conventional cleaning methods don’t work on these machines. What you can do instead is to get some antimicrobial resistance screens to protect the buttons from daily contamination. Just make sure to clean them at least once a week to prevent bacteria buildup.
Washroom doorknobs
Washrooms are home to over a million harmful microbes. Huge amounts of bacteria, fecal matter, and other dangerous particles attach themselves to doorknobs and can be transferred from one person to another.
Cleaning your doorknobs should not be taken lightly. As one of the most highly contacted surfaces in the office, it’s crucial to disinfect them thoroughly using a non-toxic cleaning solution. Other products like baking soda can keep doorknobs clean and fragrant.
Cleanliness doesn’t happen overnight. Hiring a professional cleaning company can help you set up a consistent cleaning schedule and ensure no corners are overlooked. At the same time, employees must do their part in keeping their spaces clean and germ-free. Practicing good disinfection routines will lead to a safe, comfortable, and healthy workplace.
