Office spaces are often thought of as being pretty clean — and to be fair, at a visual level, they usually are. After all, they need to provide a safe place for employees, while presenting a positive image of the company to any visitors. But with that said, sometimes there are germs lurking in hidden — and not-so-hidden — corners of your office space.
That’s why the team here at Jim’s Cleaning has put together some of the most commonly overlooked spots in the office when it comes to cleaning. So keep the sanitiser and soap handy and get ready to wipe down some unexpected surfaces next time you’re doing some office cleaning.
1. Doorknobs and door handles
Doorknobs and door handles are some of the grubbiest spots in any office, and yet one of the most infrequently cleaned. Why? Well, people don’t tend to think about it very much. But in truth, you might have dozens, scores or even hundreds of different people touching those handles every day, and there’s no guarantee all of them necessarily have clean hands…
So next time you open or close a door, make sure you wash or sanitise your hands afterwards. And next time you’re doing some office cleaning, give them a thorough wipe down.
2. Bathroom taps
Perhaps unsurprising when you consider why most people are in the bathroom in the first place, bathroom taps can be exceptionally dirty, even when they look pretty clean. It’s advisable to avoid touching them directly when possible — but even more importantly, make sure that you don’t skip this step the next time the bathroom is being cleaned.
3. Couches
It’s not unusual for modern offices to have couches in the foyer or breakout room in order to provide a comfortable place for visitors and staff alike to use while they’re waiting for a meeting or on a break. But because they’re often used in passing — rather than for hours at a time like couches at home — they tend to be overlooked when it comes to cleaning. Still, these can be real havens for dust, dirt and other germs. Vacuuming, professional steam cleaning and disinfectant are all great ways to deal with the grime though.
4. Keyboards
Keyboards have hands all over them, all day, so it’s no surprise that they can become pretty unsanitary. Couple that with factors like sweat, dead skin, stray sneezes and the recycled air in your average office, and you’ve got yourself a breeding ground for bacteria. Canned air, antibacterial sprays and regular dusting are all great tools to help your keyboard avoid turning into something that Shrek might enjoy living in. And of course — make sure you’re washing your hands regularly too, both before and after using your keyboard.
5. Phones
Office phones are a less common sight today, due to the advent of services like Skype, Google Meet and similar services. But if you are still using them, make sure that you’re giving the handset (and your headset) a regular clean. Given their close proximity to your face and hands, it’s not surprising they can collect so much bacteria, but they often go unnoticed when it comes to the office cleaning process.
6. Kitchen sponges and cleaning cloths
Sponges and cleaning cloths are an essential part of keeping the office kitchen clean. But because they’re one of those items that belong to everybody and nobody at the same time, it’s not unusual to see the same one remain in the kitchen for weeks or months at a time until it gradually crumbles to a totally unusable state. Realistically, though, you should be replacing your sponges and cloths about once a week — perhaps more frequently if you have a large workforce in your office. This will help ensure that you’re actually cleaning things when you use them to wipe stuff down, rather than simply rearranging germs.
7. Pens
Most of us don’t think twice about lending a pen to a colleague. It’s a good thing to be generous and helpful. But when you get that pen back? Maybe consider giving it a bit of a wipe down before you use it again. You never know who’s been touching the bathroom taps without actually washing their hands properly.
8. Handrails
Essential for safety on stairs and for helping less able-bodied staff navigate the office, handrails also need to be regularly cleaned in order to ensure that they’re as hygienic as possible.
9. Desks
Look, you sit at your desk all day and you know how much of a grub you can be, don’t you? A few spilled crumbs here and there, a splash from the morning coffee, shaking out the keyboard…well, it all adds up, really. So give it a spray and wipe down at least every couple of days, eh?
Talk to Jim’s Cleaning today about office cleaning services
If you want to make sure that your office is as clean as possible, it’s essential to call in the professionals. Talk to the team at Jim’s Cleaning today to find out more about office cleaning services — whether you’re just in need of occasional home office cleaning or are operating on an industrial scale, we can work with you to get things looking spick and span again.
FAQs
Where are the most germs in the workplace?
Every office is different, but there are a few spots that are serial havens for germs. Bathroom taps also tend to be covered in grit, which isn’t terribly surprising when you consider why people are usually in the bathroom in the first place.
But there are other, more innocuous places that can also be hiding germs, too. Doorknobs and door handles are often particularly germy as they’re touched by so many different people throughout the day — and you can’t guarantee how clean they’re keeping their hands. Pens, kitchen sponges, phones and desk surfaces can be harbouring germs if they’re not cleaned regularly. So the best rule of thumb is not to assume something is actually clean just because it looks clean.
What are the dirtiest surfaces?
In terms of open spaces, desks and kitchen benches are the most likely places you’ll find unwanted dirt and grime. They might not look it, but it’s important to disinfect them regularly.
What is the dirtiest area in an office?
There are plenty of places where germs can hide in plain sight in an office — but in terms of obvious dirt and grime, the “dirtiest” places tend to be the parts of the office that are used the least. Areas like storage closets and storage rooms often end up being dust magnets, so make sure that they’re being regularly checked and cleaned as part of the wider office cleaning routine.
How often should an office be cleaned?
Basic spot cleaning should be carried out at least every couple of days — wiping your desk down, disinfecting phone handsets, emptying your bin and so on. How often you need the larger spaces vacuumed, mopped or otherwise tended to will usually depend on the size of the space and how many staff you have. However, most businesses find once or twice a week sufficient for maintaining both cleanliness and a professional appearance.
Is it worth getting an office professionally cleaned?
Absolutely. Although it’s important to spot clean regularly and clear up any obvious messes (such as spills), as a non-professional you’re not necessarily going to pick up all of the troublesome spots yourself. Professionals can zip through the same job in a fraction of the time, while also ensuring a far more hygienic outcome. So why not get in touch with the team at Jim’s Cleaning for office cleaning services today?
