Working in a shared office can be a real nightmare for those of us who value neat, tidy, and sanitary spaces.  There’s really no way to control the effort coworkers will put into maintaining a clean office, which is why most business owners turn to professional cleaners and their staff to keep offices ship shape.  From keyboard to bathrooms, there are many germ-ridden places in your office…but what are the dirtiest spots you may never have considered?

Shared Equipment

You’ve probably peered into office keyboards and seen hidden crumbs, hair, and other signs that this piece of equipment is rather unsanitary.  Now imagine what you can’t see and recognize that for the most part, a keyboard is not a shared piece of equipment.  Equipment such as your photocopier can also be very dirty – in fact, when it comes to germs, the start button on a copier is among the dirtiest places in your office.  One sanitation study found that the start button may measure more than a billion colony forming units in a square inch whereas your average toilet seat has just over 3000.

Even shared kitchen appliances can be very germy.  The coffee pot handle, for example may have up to 110,000 colony forming units in a square inch and many of these microorganisms have been found to be antibiotic-resistant bacteria.  Whether this is simply because of the sheer number of people using the coffee pot, or the likelihood that those people are not washing their hands frequently enough, you’d have to imagine that other components of the office kitchen are equally germ-ridden.

Elevator buttons are likewise germ-infested.  You may have noticed that in many healthcare environments, administrators have taken to encouraging pressing buttons with elbows rather than fingers, and you’ll often find hand sanitizer dispensers next to elevator call buttons – consider using the hand sanitizer before or after (or even both) you enter or exit an elevator.

Workstations

We’ve already acknowledged that keyboards are messy, and given how much time your hand spends on a mouse, this too is a dirty component of your workstation.  But you may not have realized that even your desktop can be infested with bacteria.  Wiping keyboards, mouses, and desktops with anti-bacterial wipes can help cut down on the germs at your workstation.

The Kitchen

So, you’ve learned that the coffee pot in the kitchen is a germaphobe’s nightmare, but the single dirtiest place in your office kitchen?  Well, that’s the kitchen faucet.  Additionally, drains and the sinks themselves can have very high microbe counts making the kitchen sink often the dirties spot in a shared workspace.

So, what can you do to make your workplace more sanitary?  First and foremost, wash your hands regularly to prevent the spread of bacteria.  But also, as an employer or business owner, invest in regularly scheduled office cleaning to maintain the hygiene of your office and the health of your staff.

You may or may not be aware that commercial cleaning companies provide services for a wide variety of commercial, industrial, and domestic customers.  As such, many cleaning companies specialize in a particular area – after all, cleaning a home and cleaning a factory require vastly different skills, equipment, and expertise.  So then, what is the difference between industrial and commercial janitorial services?

First, let’s take a closer look at commercial janitorial services.  In fact, commercial cleaning encompasses a large number of different services.  In reality, commercial janitorial services include everything that is not domestic cleaning.  For example, companies that specialize in cleaning offices, hospitals, schools, and business are all technically commercial cleaning companies.  More specifically, commercial janitorial services tend to involve heavier and more frequent cleaning tasks.  Consider an office with a hundred employees that also welcomes numerous customers and visitors on a daily basis.  While you may not need to clean your home carpeting on a weekly or monthly basis, busier environments will require more frequent cleaning.

There are also highly specialized commercial cleaning services.  Have you ever visited a school and seen the janitor buffing the floors with a large, industrial machine?  Clearly, you would not have the skills, expertise, or even need to conduct this kind of cleaning in your home.  In fact, depending on the kind of business operating, cleaning needs can vary significantly.  Hospitals require regular disinfection, and health care equipment must be cleaned in order to meet rigorous safety standards.  Likewise, specialized cleaning materials may be required for commercial jobs, so it’s always best to work with professionals with expertise in a specific industry.

So, that brings us to industrial janitorial services.  How do industrial cleaning services differ from commercial janitorial services?  Actually, industrial cleaning services fall under the wider umbrella of commercial cleaning.  Of course, that doesn’t actually clarify the nature of industrial cleaning.  In a nutshell, industrial cleaning involves janitorial services for warehouses, construction sites, factories, and other large facilities.  Additionally, industrial cleaning may include specialized janitorial services such as dust and infection control, cryogenic cleaning, and pressure washing.

Another factor that distinguishes industrial cleaning from other commercial janitorial services is the demanding nature of the work.  Industrial facilities may include heavy machinery, lubricants, paint, metal shavings, not to mention other dirt and debris that needs to be cleaned to maintain a healthy work environment.  Because of the nature of industrial janitorial services, it is critical to work with a company that specializes in the kind of cleaning you require.  Always contact various commercial cleaning companies for quotes and be explicit about what your needs and expectations are before signing a cleaning contract.  Ultimately, industrial cleaning is heavy work, and you want a company that will successfully provide the services you require.

Office maintenance is fundamental when you are running a business.  Not only does a well-maintained office promote productivity and workplace health and safety, but it signals to your current and future clients that you run an organized and efficient operation.  Just take a moment to consider your own reaction when you enter an office or business that is messy, dusty, or disorganized.  Ultimately, if you want to impress, you need to keep your office in tip top condition.  Obviously, there are many different cleaning services to consider, but let’s take a closer look at window cleaning.  How often should you clean your office windows?

Now, there’s no hard and fast, one-size-fits-all answer to this question.  There are many things to consider.  Factors such as the type of business, your geographic location, the size of your office, and of course your budget all come into play.  Are you scheduling indoor or outdoor window cleaning?  Do you regularly host clients or other professionals in your offices?  Where are your windows located?  These all seem like irrelevant questions when all you want is clean windows, but they’re not.

Typically, interior window cleaning is less costly and scheduled more frequently than exterior window cleaning.  A small office with only a few staff that rarely host clients probably has more limited window cleaning needs.  If you have windows within your offices (for example, between private offices and shared office spaces), or your main entry features windows, your cleaning schedule may vary.  Even the geographic location of your offices is important.  Weather, landscaping, or an urban or suburban location are also factors that influence window cleaning frequency.

When it comes to weather, if you are situated in a climate with a lot of rain or a rainy season, you’ll likely require more frequent exterior window cleanings during this season.  Some business owners choose to regularly schedule window cleanings and then increase that schedule or add cleanings whenever weather plays a bigger role.  If you’re considering landscaping, factors such as surrounding trees can impact cleaning schedules.  For example, birds and insects can definitely leave their mark, so you may need to have your office windows cleaned more frequently.  Likewise, windows on an office on a busy urban street with high traffic is likely to get dirtier faster than windows on a quiet street.

Ideally, you want to work with a professional cleaning company that can help you develop an office window cleaning schedule that works for you and your business.  When you collaborate with professionals, you can trust that you’ll get effective window cleaning services that allow you to keep your office in its best possible condition.  And ultimately, this is good business for your business.

Whether or not you are aware, you are being judged by the cleanliness of your workplace.  It may be that coworkers are judging the condition of your personal office, or clients are evaluating your business by the state of your offices – a clean office signifies diligence, efficiency, and hard work.  Additionally, a clean office is a productive office as a well-organized work space is easier to navigate in addition to the impact of regular sanitation on improved health among staff members.  The following tips for a clean office are designed to be implemented by all levels of staff from cleaners to executives.  Let’s have a closer look.

Your Personal Work Station

No matter how thorough your cleaning staff, the likelihood that your personal work station will be cleaned from top to bottom is low.  Items such as keyboards, calculators, and telephones will normally get a superficial wipe down, at best.  Still, these are some of the items that are most commonly used and therefore often carry the most germs.  A thorough cleaning removes dirt and debris and reduces your exposure to germs and airborne allergens.  Start with an air duster to remove debris from spaces and crevices and finish up by wiping surfaces with a disinfectant wipe.

When it comes to cleaning screens and monitors, you’ll need to find the right products for the job.  Antibacterial wipes are not effective for computer monitors or device screens; yet, it’s also important to keep these items dust free to reduce your exposure to allergens.  A damp microfiber cloth or cleaning products specifically designed for device monitors are ideal.  In a pinch, you can use paper towel lightly dampened with warm water to remove dust from your displays.

Finally, cleaning staff will likely wipe desk and work surfaces, but they likely will not move your personal or work items to do a thorough wiping.  If you need to keep files or other items on your desk, remember to take some time weekly to wipe these surfaces on your own.  Otherwise, remove all items from your desktop at the end of the day so that cleaning staff can do the job right.

In the Kitchen

The work kitchen is always difficult to maintain, especially in busy offices.  One tip is to set up a cleaning roster where different teams are responsible for different tasks each week.  For example, assign one team to clean the microwave and one to clean the coffee maker and rotate these jobs weekly.  You should also schedule a rest week where that team has no responsibilities.  And speaking of the microwave, consider investing in a cover for foods to eliminate the impact of splashes inside the microwave.  And of course, always encourage staff members to clean up after themselves!

What is Office Cleaning Maintenance?

Commercial cleaning service represent a diverse array of office maintenance tasks, but since every company has its own unique maintenance needs it can be difficult to clearly define office cleaning maintenance.  Imagine operating a small business from a home office and consider cleaning needs compared to major city office building – clearly maintenance tasks are not going to be the same.  So, if you’re curious to know more about professional commercial cleaning, you might start by asking, “what is office cleaning maintenance?”

First, it’s important to understand that cleaning services can be delineated based on the frequency of the cleaning services, the location of the cleaning services, and even the type of facility.  Nevertheless, for the sake of providing a comprehensive introduction to office cleaning maintenance, it is useful to start with a review of typical daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning services while keeping in mind that your unique business needs will impact service delivery.

With respect to daily duties, office cleaning specialists endeavor to maintain your space such that the image of your business is well-represented.  A clean, inviting office free of clutter and dust tells your customers that you care about the work you do.  Moreover, regular cleaning ensures the health and safety of your employees so that they can be more efficient and productive.

Examples of daily cleaning tasks for your office will typically include:

• Removal of garbage and recycling
• Vacuuming carpets and floors
• Mopping and disinfecting floors
• Dusting furniture such as desks, chairs, and tables
• Disinfecting door handles, phones, and other items contacted frequently
• Window cleaning
• Fingerprint removal from surfaces such as glass doors, door frames, or light switches
• Ensuring indoor and outdoor spaces are free of litter and clutter
• Spot cleaning surfaces such as walls and doors

In addition to general office spaces, daily cleaning tasks in the kitchen and washroom are incredibly important to ensure hygiene.  Bathroom and break room surfaces should be disinfected to create the most sanitary environment possible.  Other daily cleaning tasks include but are not limited to:

• Replacing hand towels, soap, and toilet paper
• Removing trash and recycling
• Cleaning mirrors, faucets, and countertops
• Cleaning microwaves, fridges, and other kitchen equipment
• Spot cleaning surfaces such as walls and doors
• Vacuuming and mopping floors
• Disinfecting toilets.

When it comes to less regular cleaning services, it is important to work closely with your cleaning professional to develop a schedule that works for your business.  For example, hard floors should be buffed on a weekly or twice-monthly basis, but this cleaning should be scheduled so as not to interfere with daily operations.  Likewise, vents, exterior window surfaces, and other office fixtures should be regularly attended to, but your unique needs will determine the frequency of cleaning schedules.