11 Most Effective Office Cleaning Tips & Tricks

Workspace cleanliness is crucial to running a successful business. For starters, it helps create a

good first impression on clients. After all, it’s an indication of professionalism.

What’s more, the cleanliness of your office is typically associated with the image of your brand. If your workspace is clean and maintained, consumers will look at your brand in a positive light.

Most importantly, a clean office helps boost productivity and morale. Employees are happy and efficient when their place of work is in pristine shape.

Having said all of that, how can you go about maintaining your place of work? Read on to learn about the most effective office cleaning tips and tricks.

Organize Files and Documents



The first step to maintaining a workspace is to be organized. Having loose papers, documents, and files scattered all over your office is far from efficient, especially when they start to pile up.

What’s even more cumbersome is when important papers and files are scattered in places only you know about because you put them there. What if one of your employees needs to get a hold of these papers or documents and you’re not there?

So, how exactly do you go about organizing such important papers and files? Begin by using filing cabinets to separate your files according to essential categories such as product specs, customer profiles, work orders, invoices, estimates, vendor info, and so forth.

When trying to organize your files, be sure to label each file so that it’s easier to pinpoint the file you need when the time comes. Also, stick to a single method of filing, be it filing by numerical or alphabetical order.

Done filing? Time to sort out the documents that you, or your employees, need to have handy at all times, whether for continuous or immediate reference. For such documents, you can use desktop trays or mountable pockets.

Another step you ought to take is to archive files and dossiers that are no longer being used frequently. This will help you save a ton of space, and it’ll lessen the clutter in your office. We suggest sending these outdated file folders to a storage facility instead of storing them in your office space.

In short, every category of items in your workplace must be labeled and assigned to a specific place within your workplace so that you and your employees don’t have to think twice about where these items are. If you have any freebies that you don’t use around your office, get rid of them.

You must also keep in mind that, over time, more papers, files, and docs will be added, so you want to make sure there’s ample growth space for future items.

Clean and Maintain Electronics



Electronics are arguably the most frequently utilized office space essentials, which is why they’re breeding grounds for dirt and contaminants. The more they’re used, the more bacteria, germs, and dirt they accumulate, and so it’s critical to pay special attention to their cleanliness.

Firstly, start by lightly wiping all screens. You don’t need any special cleaning products or cleaning equipment for monitor wiping. All you need is a soft microfiber cloth dampened with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and distilled water. The same cloth can be used to wipe dust and fingerprints off of other surfaces.

Next, you want to direct your attention to all the keyboards within the office; they’re probably compacted with dirt and food particles. Grab a can of compressed air and use it to blow at each keyboard. This will help remove dirt, dust, and debris.

If you don’t have access to compressed air cans or if you simply don’t like using them, you can invest in a specialized vacuum cleaner that’s able to blow compressed air. An excellent example is the DataVac Pro.

You’re not done with computer keyboards yet. After having blown them free of dirt and debris, you want to grab small swabs of cotton, dampen them with rubbing alcohol, and then use them to wipe every key. Every single key probably has germs and bacteria on it, so don’t skip any.

Further, you want to thoroughly wipe the underside of each keyboard, as it’s also one of the ripest breeding grounds for bacteria and germs. A lot of food crumbs are found there, too.

In addition to computer screens and keyboards, you want to wipe down all other computer components and other electronic devices, including computer towers, fax machines, telephones, printers, and so forth. Be sure to unplug every device before you begin wiping it.

Prioritize Cleaning the Break Room



The break room may not be the place where employees dwell the longest, but it’s the place where they go to rest and clear their heads for a while during their shift.

That said, keeping break rooms clean and immaculate will help keep employees happy and it’ll boost their overall morale. This is why it’s one of the most important office cleaning tips.

To prevent the room from looking like one of those messy kitchen areas, there are a number of things that you need to maintain. Firstly, rather than having each employee come to work with meals and eating utensils, promote the preparation and storing of meals within the break room.

Secondly, promote refrigerator cleanliness and orderliness. An excellent way to do so is to assign a weekly day for disposal, during which all lingering food items will be tossed out, and all appliances will be wiped thoroughly.

You should also disinfect all the tables, chairs, shelves, and sinks after every last lunch break. This needs to happen on a daily basis to prevent the build-up of grime, bacteria, and germs.

Most break rooms contain a microwave; if yours does, the microwave’s interior and exterior must be wiped clean on a day-to-day basis. Otherwise, you risk the growth of mold within the microwave.

Also, it goes without saying that all dishes must be washed and dried on a daily basis, and the drainer can also use a good wipedown.

Regularly Disinfect All Restrooms



Not only is cleaning and disinfecting the restrooms in your work area one of the most important office cleaning tips, but it’s also an absolute necessity and a safety measure.

No matter what type of business you run, your restrooms will be used frequently by customers, employees, or both. This calls for thorough daily cleaning.

Failure to clean and maintain your bathrooms regularly can result in a number of safety and health problems, from the build-up of bacteria and germs to the spreading of infections.

If you run a major business and have intact cleaning schedules, your hired commercial cleaning company or cleaning employees will take care of disinfecting the restrooms as well as all your other cleaning needs.

If you run a small business and are currently unable to resort to office cleaning services, however, we’ll help you develop an effective restroom cleaning schedule and sequence.

Firstly, you want to grab a toilet brush and a potent disinfecting cleaner. Use them to clean all toilet bowl components, from the toilet seat and lid to the exterior and base of the bowls.

We strongly recommend using deodorizing cakes or tabs to keep toilet bowls fresh between cleaning sessions.

Next, you need to apply a disinfectant onto the restroom’s sinks and counters. Further, the floors must be swept and mopped thoroughly. More on floor cleaning shortly.

After having cleaned the bathrooms, you want to make sure all paper towel holders, toilet tissue rolls, and soap dispensers are refilled. This step is often overlooked until someone reports that they’re running low on paper towels, toilet tissues, or soap.

Don’t Forget Your Workstations



You spend most of your workday on your workstation, so you should treat it as your shine. If there’s unnecessary clutter on the desk, get rid of it.

Piles of unnecessary files and papers? Label them, organize them, and then store them in their designated areas (refer to the first office cleaning tip).

Dust, grime, and debris? A thorough wipe-down will do the trick; you don’t even have to stand up. The cleanliness and neatness of your workstation will positively influence your productivity.

Aren’t you forgetting something? Your desk drawer! Even if you’re the most organized person in your workplace, it’s likely that your desk drawer contains a few unnecessary items, from the pen that stopped working last week to paper clips and stapler pins that shouldn’t be there.

When you’re emptying out your desk drawer, you might be surprised to find items that you’ve been looking for for a while, too. Make sure your desk drawers are free of dust and grime before moving on to the next item on your office cleaning checklist.

Clean Your Windows Regularly



Windows tend to accumulate dust and grime over time; not a sight to behold. In addition to ruining the appearance of the workplace, dusty windows impair the view and restrict sunlight, which can negatively affect the mood and atmosphere within the office, reducing productivity.

After spending hours looking at your computer monitor and pounding at the keyboard, don’t you just crave some natural light? What are you waiting for, then? Grab a cleaning cloth and a surface cleaner, and just give the inside of your windows a good wipe.

As far as the outside of the windows, you’ll have to resort to a window cleaning service, unless you’re able to fly or climb walls. Window cleaning services don’t charge a whole lot, and you don’t need to hire them often. Once a month or so should be enough.

Please bear in mind that windows tend to get overly dusty in the spring, so make sure window cleaning is at the top of your spring cleaning checklist.

Deep Clean the Office Every Spring

Since we just mentioned spring cleaning, we feel the need to put emphasis on its importance. Despite being one of the most colorful times of the year, spring comes accompanied by quite a few health issues, most common of which are spring allergies, of course.

In spring, plants shed a lot of pollen to fertilize the soil, triggering all sorts of allergens in the process. During this time, a lot of your employees will probably be suffering from a rash and endless sneezing. They may even have a common cold.

Other problems that come with spring include headaches as well as nasal and chest congestion. That being said, it’s crucial to take spring cleaning seriously so that nothing within your workplace triggers any allergies your employees may have.

We don’t recommend taking spring cleaning into your own hands. It’s best to resort tocommercial cleaning services, as they provide thorough, deep cleaning using advanced cleaning solutions.

Give Your Plants a Gentle Wipe



Plants are always a healthy addition to office spaces. Not only do they add character to the place they’re in, but they also boost its aesthetics, purify indoor air, eliminate toxins, and release humidity into the atmosphere. These are all roles an air-conditioned office can benefit from.

If you don’t already have plants in your office, you need to get some as soon as possible. If you do, make sure to give your plants a gentle wipe from time to time using a damp piece of cloth to eliminate built-up dust and dirt. And, of course, don’t forget to water them.

Don’t Forget Your Office Floors



Your office flooring is probably the one surface that requires your attention the most. It’s where everything falls and accumulates, from dust and dirt to food crumbs and more.

If left ignored, your office flooring could become a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Also, it’ll lose its shine and brightness. Note that there will come a time when your office floors will need to be replaced and that the more you clean and maintain it, the longer its lifespan will be.

We recommend that you mop your office flooring on a daily basis and that you contract with a cleaning service to deep-clean the floor as well as carpet, upholstery, and workstations.

Miscellaneous Office Cleaning Tips



In addition to the above-mentioned tips, here are a few other misc office cleaning tips and tricks that will help speed up the cleaning process or make it more convenient:

• If you or your employees have allergies, you may want to opt for silk or plastic plants instead of actual plants because, like we already mentioned, plants shed and release pollen into the air, which can trigger allergic reactions.
• If you’re a cleaning freak and you’re looking to achieve the best possible outcome with your mopping, we strongly recommend using a steam mop. It’ll leave your office floor sparkling.
• When the floor is being mopped, it’s highly recommended that you inform your employees/colleagues to prevent potential slips and falls. You can put safety signs around the office to do so.
• Put trash can liners at the bottom of every trash can in your office. This makes it easier for you to replace trash bags. Also, be sure to put a trash can near every workstation so that colleagues don’t have to get up all the time.
• Keep disinfectant wipes handy, as they’re perfect for quick clean-ups. Disinfectant wipes come in handy when dealing with lunch crumbs, liquid spills, and similar day-to-day accidents.
• Don’t clean around items. If you’re going to clean a certain area, be sure to remove every single item in that area so that you can clean under it, especially if that area has a lot of tables and shelves.
• You and your workers need to develop the habit to keep your office space organized and tidy. Dedicating a few minutes for cleaning every day will prevent the office from looking like a mess. It’ll also reduce the number of times you call on professional cleaners.

Resort to Office Cleaning Services



One of the best office cleaning tips we can give you is to hire a professional to do all of the hard work. Where are you going to get the time to do all of the above from, anyway?

And let’s face it, professional cleaners are probably going to do a better job cleaning than you since they utilize specialized equipment and cleaning solutions that aren’t available to the public.

It’s also worth noting that hiring a professional cleaning service will help save you money in the long run. Think about it, you’ll no longer need to buy cleaning supplies, and you’ll have more time to focus on your work and productivity.

Since you won’t have to worry about cleaning equipment and supplies, you’ll have extra storage space to keep outdated papers, files, and archives.

A commercial cleaning service will provide total office care at scheduled times, from bathroom and kitchen cleaning to window, floor, and carpet cleaning.

Most commercial cleaning companies also provide personalized packages to accommodate the needs of different businesses, too, meaning you’ll only pay for what you need.

Another thing worth noting is that more and more cleaning companies are employing office composting. Instead of sending organic office waste to the landfill, they make use of the waste by composting it.