Keeping Common Areas in the Office Clean and Sanitary

Keeping the office clean and sanitary helps improve health, productivity and morale of employees. It can also help to prevent the spread of germs and diseases. Employees who are exposed to unclean environments are more likely to take sick days and experience difficulties in focusing, resulting in reduced productivity. The common areas of an office, such as communal pantries or restrooms, require special care because of the amount of traffic that passes through these spaces. There are several ways you can ensure the common spaces in your office remain clean and hygienic throughout the year.

Benefits of a Clean and Sanitary Office

There are many benefits to investing in office cleaning, such as:

-Increased employee morale: It’s no surprise that a clean and hygienic office will boost employee morale, motivation and satisfaction with their jobs. Your employees will be happier and more motivated when they come into a clean and neat office, which will ultimately lead to them working harder to meet their goals.

-Increased productivity: Clutter and mess has a negative impact on our cognitive ability and can increase stress. When the brain is preoccupied with how dirty or messy a place is, even if you are not consciously thinking about it, it is unable to focus on the tasks at hand, resulting in a loss of productivity. Studies have repeatedly found a correlation between the cleanliness of a work environment and its impact on the performance and productivity of employees.

-Reduced absenteeism: A recent study found that ‘chucking sickies’ costs the Australian economy up to $24 billion in lost revenue. By keeping office spaces clean and sanitary, businesses can ensure less employees fall sick, resulting in fewer sick leaves taken.

-Fewer workplace accidents: A study by Safe Work Australia revealed that of all serious injury claims made in 2022, 23% were due to falls, trips and slips. A dirty office can be a hazard and can cause slip and fall accidents.

-Improved aesthetics: A clean and sanitary workplace can make the office look better, something both employees and customers are likely to notice. The pandemic has reduced people’s tolerance of messy and dirty spaces, and offices that look visibly dirty are likely to get a bad rep and turn customers and employees away.

How to Keep Common Areas in the Office Clean and Sanitary

Common areas in the office require special care since they are used more frequently. Research has shown that fridge handles, microwave handles and buttons, taps, vending machines and toilet seats are among the ten dirtiest places in the office. It is impossible to completely eradicate your exposure to germs, but taking care of some office cleaning practices can help minimise it. Here are some ways to keep your common spaces clean and sanitary.

-Establish a cleaning schedule: To ensure every inch of the office is cleaned on a regular basis thoroughly, it is essential to create a cleaning schedule. This schedule will include a list of all the areas that need cleaning as well as the frequency with which they should be cleaned. Ideally, common areas should be cleaned at least once a day.

-Use the right cleaning supplies: It is important to use the right cleaning supplies for the job. For example, communal pantries and restrooms should be cleaned using disinfectants since these places harbour the most bacteria. The supplies used for each space should also be switched out between cleanings so there is no chance of cross-contamination. There should also be hand sanitiser stations placed at different locations across the office.

-Encourage employees to clean up after themselves: Employees should be asked to put all dirty dishes in the dishwasher or wash them by hand if a dishwasher is not available. They should be encouraged to dispose off all garbage immediately and appropriately and avoid eating on their desks to minimise the spread of germs. They should also report spills and

messes immediately so due care can be taken to maximise workplace hygiene.

-Conduct regular inspections: Regular inspections will help to identify areas that need to be cleaned and whether some areas require more frequent cleaning than schedules. This inspection should be conducted by a designated person or team, and should include a checklist of all the areas that need to be inspected.

-Use a commercial cleaning company: The best way to ensure your common areas remain clean and hygienic around the year is to hire a commercial cleaning company. The company will have the experience and expertise to clean your office effectively and efficiently and take the load of keeping the workplace clean off your and your employees’ shoulders.

Maintaining a clean and sanitary office, especially common areas, is essential for the health and productivity of employees. By following the tips above, employers can create a safe and healthy work environment that promotes employee well-being.