Is your office getting filthy? That grime in your office can build up, cake onto furniture, and spread germs around that could potentially make you sick. When your office is messy and unkempt, your productivity falters as well, and visitors to your office would have a poor impression of your company.
Impress your guests with proper office etiquette, which includes office cleaning done thoroughly and professionally. Cleanliness is your first impression when meeting with partners, clients, and potential applicants after all. Here are some do’s and don’ts to consider when cleaning your office:
1. DO Outsource Your Office Cleaning
Outsource your office cleaning to a third-party cleaning company that will do the cleaning for you. Doing so will tick office cleaning off your list, while your partner cleaning crew does the work. Professional cleaners are also well-versed in doing their work out of everyone’s way, so the cleaning and the regular business operations don’t clash with each other.
Outsourcing your office cleaning can be much cheaper than hiring your own in-house cleaning crew on your own. Request a quote from a cleaning specialist near you to start your office maintenance, and you can often scout for quotations to find the best value for your commercial space, office, or restaurant.
Plus, outsourcing removes the need for you to screen and train new applicants, as you would need to put a lot of trust in hired cleaners, particularly if your office deals with a lot of sensitive information like banks, financial institutions, and hospitals.
2. DON’T Attempt to Clean the Office Yourself
Of course, you can always do the cleaning yourself, but what about your own work? You can’t do your regular work and clean the office at the same time, and you may not be knowledgeable enough to actually do the cleaning tasks. Cleaning is no simple matter, especially when you have materials like natural stone, wood, and organic fibers with you.
You could end up steaming plasticware, scrubbing out the varnish from wooden tables, or cleaning your marble countertops with acidic solutions – all of which will lead to irreversible damage to these items. Don’t attempt to do the cleaning. Most professional cleaners are trained by their companies on the proper methods to clean every common office material, after all!
3. DO Use DIY or Safe Cleaning Alternatives
Are you still using those harsh chemical cleaners that are causing allergies to your skin and respiratory system? Those chemical cleaning products might do the job well, but the fumes and corrosive vapors they produce are incredibly harmful to you and your coworkers when inhaled or in contact with.
Instead, go for safe alternatives like vinegar and baking soda, lemon and salt, or even some mild dish soap to clean your office. These are not only proven to work for most surfaces, but they are inexpensive, gentle on materials and skin, and won’t pose any danger to your workforce.
4. DON’T Forego Disinfection
Disinfection and cleaning go hand in hand, and sure, you can clean all you want and those stains would completely disappear. But what about those germs that are invisible to the naked eye? Bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microbes are what causes illnesses in people, and they can easily infect your workforce with diseases.
Doing a daily disinfection is the key way to prevent your office from getting sick. As you disinfect surfaces, you are killing off potential pathogens that are in your office. Consider disinfecting the air as well. Choose a disinfectant that has been proven to work, such as Lysol, rubbing alcohol, or an aerosol disinfectant that can clean the air.
5. DO Consider the Materials in the Office
Do remember, however, that different materials require different cleaning methods and cleaning solutions. For instance, marble and granite cannot be cleaned with any acidic or abrasive substances as the natural stone would etch; same with plastic and heat, as steam cleaners may warp plastic chairs, office tables, and the like.
Consider what materials you use in the office, and always refer to the manufacturer’s guide for full details of the materials used in creating the office furniture, as well as care instructions. You will need to inform your cleaning crew on these different materials so they can clean them properly.
