An office should always remain clean all the time to help protect your staff and maintain a healthy work environment.
However, there are some areas in your office that can get contaminated easily and quickly. These places can hide dirt, dust, and other allergens that can cause serious health problems for you and your employees.
Contrary to what many people believe, germs are not just found in restrooms, there are also in less obvious places in the office such as your desk. Here is a list of the most heavily contaminated areas in your office:
Shared Office Equipment
Any shared equipment in your office, such as printers, copiers, and fax machines, can harbor a range of germs. This is even more likely to happen if you are pressing a button or touching a screen to use the equipment.
Doorknobs and Handles
These are some of the most touched surfaces in your office, which means they are also some of the most likely to be contaminated with germs. Make sure you disinfect these areas regularly.
Desks and Tables
Your desk and any other shared surfaces in your office can easily become contaminated with germs. Wipe these down regularly with a disinfectant solution.
Many people are always focused on the task at hand, leaving them not to think of other surfaces their fingertips touch. Always sanitize these places or hire an office cleaning service to do the job if you can’t.
Keyboard and Mouse
You use these items every day, which means they are some of the most likely to be contaminated with germs. Everything you touch, including germs, food debris, and dust, ends up on your keyboard.
Cleaning your keyboard and disinfecting your desk area is something you can do daily in addition to your regular office cleaning.
Phone
Your office phone is another item that you use daily, which means it can easily become contaminated with germs.
Wipe down your phone with a disinfectant wipe or sanitizing gel regularly to prevent the spread of germs. Make sure you clean all the surfaces of your desk phone, not only on the outside.
Light Switches
You probably don’t think about cleaning your light switches often, but they are one of the most touched surfaces in your office. Give them a quick wipe down with a disinfectant wipe or sanitizing gel every day to prevent the spread of germs.
Sinks and Counters
Your office kitchen and bathroom sinks see a lot of use throughout the day, so it’s important to keep them clean.
Everyone in the office is always in the kitchen, using sinks and counters at least once daily. Wipe down the counters and sinks with a disinfectant wipe or sanitizing gel daily. Don’t forget to clean the faucets too.
Coffee Makers and Microwaves
The coffee maker and microwave are two of the most used appliances in any office. They also happen to be some of the dirtiest.
Make sure you clean them both thoroughly at least once a week. Start by unplugging the coffee maker and take apart all the removable parts. Wash these parts in hot, soapy water.
Then clean the outside of the coffee maker with a disinfectant wipe or sanitizing gel.
