6 Places in the Office You Forget to Clean: Here’s Your Reminder!

6 Places in the Office You Forget to Clean: Here’s Your Reminder!

Out of sight, out of mind should not be a saying used when describing office cleaning tactics. Certain areas, like window coverings and breakroom appliances, are often overlooked. These less obvious and less visible areas need to be cleaned regularly to keep your facility a productive, safe, and healthy environment. Our cleaning experts at Berk International are sharing 6 commonly overlooked places that you should add to your office deep cleaning checklist.

Germs in the Office

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 80% of infectious diseases are transmitted by touching a contaminated surface. Certain areas, like bathrooms, tabletops, and floors aren’t typically neglected and cleaned every day. Other areas, like door handles, light switches, and even your desk, aren’t so lucky. Prevent illness and provide a safe environment for employees by remembering to clean these forgotten places.

Ceiling Fans, Light Fixtures, Vents, and Ducts

To begin your office deep cleaning checklist, it’s a smart idea to work from top to bottom. These areas are probably the most forgotten, making them the dirtiest. Begin with your light fixtures. Not only accumulating piles of dust, but they also act as a magnet for bugs. Because they’re not in our line of vision, they often go unnoticed. While you’re up there, dust your ceiling fan blades which can be another culprit for dust bunnies.

Your ventilation system is another area that is often overloaded with dust. Dirt and debris can build up within your vents and ductwork and affect employees’ health. Be sure to have your filters changed monthly and your ducts cleaned out by a professional annually.

Curtains and Blinds

Your windows are probably cleaned regularly but what about blinds and curtains? Window coverings collect dust easily and begin to look dull without regular cleaning. The longer you wait to clean them, the more dust will collect. Minimize the spread of germs in the office and ensure healthy indoor air quality with regular window covering cleanings.

Handles, Buttons, and Switches

An office entrance doorknob can harbor at least 545 CFU (colony-forming unit). This is 2.5 times more bacteria than what’s found on your home bathroom doorknob! High-touch areas like door handles, light switches, and vending machine buttons are hot spots for germs. To keep everyone healthy and safe, disinfect these areas frequently.

Microwave and Coffee Maker

Used multiple times a day but often forgotten, the office microwave and coffee maker can both contain over 30 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. Move these two essential items to the top of your cleaning checklist to eliminate germs, bacteria, and offensive odors. Don’t forget to inspect other areas in your breakroom like sink faucet handles, refrigerator door handles, and water fountain buttons.

Desk and Cubicle

According to a study published by Gerba, the average desk harbors about 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. Phones, computers, and keyboards should be wiped down and disinfected daily, but don’t forget partitions, cubicle walls, and the floor! Home to dust, crumbs, spills, and debris, proper cubicle cleaning can help not only extend the life but also avoid the spread of germs throughout the office.

Baseboards

Dusty, dirty baseboards aren’t a good look anywhere. Scuffs, grime, and cobwebs are often abundant and can be easily eradicated with a damp rag and a little scrubbing. Add dusting to your weekly checklist and deep baseboard cleaning every 6 months to keep your office looking great.
Keeping your office clean and free of germs is especially important in today’s world to help mitigate the spread of dangerous viruses and infections. When you choose Berk International for all your commercial cleaning supplies, we can guarantee that everyone who walks through your facility’s doors will stay healthy and safe.

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