An office is where your employees would spend most of their time during the weekend. The average hour in a work week is around 35 to 42 hours. With this time spent in your office, you and your employees should keep your office clean and presentable, considering that it’s almost like your second home.
Moreover, most people would agree that a clean and organized office is more productive than a cluttered and dirty one. However, keeping an office clean can be daunting, especially if you have limited time and resources. Here are five ways to keep your office clean with minimal effort.
Get Door Mats
A clean office starts with clean shoes. However, this can be tough during rainy days when mud and dirt seem everywhere. Place premium personalized door mats at all entrances to prevent dirt and mud from being tracked into your office. This will encourage employees and visitors to wipe their feet before entering, keeping your floors clean and dry.
It’s also good to have some mats near high-traffic areas, such as in front of the pantry or restroom. It will help reduce the amount of dirt and dust from outside.
Encourage a No Food Policy
While having food at your desk is tempting, especially when working on a tight deadline, eating at your desk can make your space more cluttered and messy. It’s also unhygienic, as crumbs and spills are bound to happen. Food can also bring in all sorts of insects and pests such as cockroaches, ants, and flies.
One way to keep your office clean is to encourage a no-food policy. This means that employees should eat their meals in the pantry or cafeteria. If you don’t have these areas in your office, you can allow them to eat at their desks, but they should clean up after themselves immediately. Additionally, you can schedule break times so employees can have proper meals instead of snacking at their desks.
Have a Cleaning Schedule
Cleaning the office is not a one-time thing. You must have a regular cleaning schedule to maintain cleanliness and order in the workplace. Assign specific days for deep cleanings, such as mopping floors and cleaning windows. For daily cleaning tasks, such as taking out the trash and wiping down surfaces, you can create a rotating schedule so different employees are in charge of these tasks on other days.
Additionally, you should have a cleaning schedule for the common areas, such as the pantry and restroom. You should clean these areas more often than other parts of the office to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. This is essential during the pandemic, considering that the COVID-19 virus can survive on surfaces for hours and sometimes even weeks.
Invest in Quality Cleaning Supplies
The cleaning supplies you use can make a big difference in the cleanliness of your office. Invest in high-quality supplies that will help you clean effectively and efficiently. For example, microfiber cloths are great for dusting because they can trap dust particles better than regular cloths.
Similarly, you should also invest in a good vacuum cleaner. A powerful and durable vacuum can help you clean floors quickly and thoroughly. It’s also important to have the right cleaning solutions for different surfaces. For example, you need a different solution for cleaning glass than you do for cleaning carpets.
Enforce a Tidiness Policy
Even with all of these measures in place, your office won’t stay clean if your employees are not tidy. To ensure that your office is always clean, enforce a tidiness policy. This means that each employee is responsible for keeping their own workspace clean and organized. They should also put away any materials they’re not using and dispose of trash properly.
You can also assign specific tasks to employees, such as wiping down surfaces or sweeping floors. Additionally, you can conduct regular inspections to ensure that everyone follows the policy.
Another way to enforce a tidiness policy is by recycling. You can recycle paper, plastic, and metal in your office. This will not only help the environment but also declutter your office. Ensure recycling bins are in every cubicle so employees don’t have to walk too far to throw their trash.
Furthermore, you can donate old office supplies and furniture that is no longer being used. This will clear up space in your office and help those in need.
Remember that a clean office is a productive office. You can keep your office clean with minimal effort by following these tips. It will ensure that you and your employees’ time in the office won’t be wasted.
