Cleaning an office properly goes well beyond just vacuuming, mopping the floors and dusting. There are many places which can harbour germs that can be spread around the office, and these often go unnoticed. Here are six spots to pay particular attention to when it comes to office cleaning. Does your office cleaning service regularly attend to these areas?
- Telephones
It’s hard to believe, but the telephone is the most contaminated object on the desk. According to the UK Hygiene Council, the phone is home to 25,000 germs per square inch. That’s a tiny area, just over six square centimetres. To put that into further perspective, a toilet seat typically has 49 germs per square inch!
- Desks
The desk itself is also a popular breeding ground for bacteria, and should be thoroughly wiped down every evening. It’s also a good idea for employees to avoid eating lunch at their desks, if possible.
- Keyboards
Keyboards are the perfect place to harbour germs. 3,000 organisms per square inch can be found on a keyboard.
- Computer mouse
Just imagine what’s sitting on the computer mouse – there are over 1,600 organisms per square inch!
- Kettle and beverage canisters
Kettles and canisters for tea and coffee get used by pretty much everyone throughout the day, and can easily harbour germs on lids and handles. They’re easily missed in a kitchen clean up.
- Microwave doors, fridge doors and vending machines
Hands can carry bacteria for several hours, and doors and handles on kitchen appliances are touched all the time. These, and the keypads on vending machines, should also be wiped down as part of the regular cleaning routine.
No one likes to work in a workplace that feels unclean, and where there are potential health risks. In addition to employing professional office cleaning services and adding these overlooked spots to the cleaning regime, make it a
priority to encourage your staff to maintain a clean workplace, and emphasise the importance of hand washing.
When choosing an office cleaning service, make sure they have a system in place to reduce the risk of cross-contamination and the spread of viruses and bacteria, such as the use of different cleaning materials for different areas of the workplace.
If your current cleaning service regularly miss these spots or other areas of your workplace, speak to them to ensure they realise you want them to clean those areas. And if they continue to miss them it could be time to try a new office cleaning company!
Contact us for a quote for our office cleaning services across Australia, including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.