A messy office is a common menace among workers, especially those with tight schedules. Before you realize it, the desk is filled with clutter and spills, not mentioning the condition of the floor, cabinets, windowsills, and other critical office areas.
Continuing working in such an environment may not be the best decision as it saps your energy, impedes productivity, and induces stress. With workplace stress costing American businesses USD$190 billion annually, you’d better find ways to maintain a fresh office environment.
You don’t always have to get to this point where you dread the cleanup. With a routine that incorporates cleaning as part of your daily grind, you can bid the mess goodbye and enjoy a spotless space. Below are tips to streamline office cleaning routines.
- Identify common office cleaning challenges
A whopping 87% of workers is yearning for their employers to offer healthier workspaces, cleanliness being part of this. If your office is constantly messy, you must be facing some constraints that make it hard for you to clean up regularly and thoroughly. You may also be so preoccupied that you never get a moment to do some good old sweeping.
Another hurdle is inconsistent cleaning habits. If you tidy up whenever you feel like, there’ll be days when your desk and floor are shiny and others when they’re disgusting. And perhaps the most significant hindrance is the need to pause business to pave the way for a cleanup.
All these common challenges have practical solutions, as you shall discover in the sections below.
- Delegate duties democratically
It helps to share the office cleaning workload. This starts by allocating all your workmates specific days to clean the office. Moreover, specify the exact duties they should handle, whether recycling, dusting, sanitizing surfaces, managing waste, restocking supplies, or tidying common areas.
A rotational strategy for these duties will work wonders. If one staff member does recycling in a given week, they should handle another cleaning task the following week, like dusting or managing waste. It prevents burnout and monotony, ensuring they tackle every assignment with vigor.
Educate your team members on the need for a clean space. Explain how it boosts mood and productivity and keeps illnesses at bay. A properly motivated team will handle their duties without resistance.
However, not all office settings allow employees to clean by themselves. For example, in medical offices, the presence of hazardous waste requires specialized cleaners. Also, large corporate buildings often require professional cleaning services because of time implications. Contracting a reliable Dallas cleaning service or a reputable one in your locale may be worthwhile if you work in such settings.
- Invest in the right cleaning tools
Equipping your office with the right tools is critical. Start with premium quality multi-purpose cleaners. These are versatile cleaning agents able to get rid of grime on various surfaces, minimizing the cleaning time and storage space due to the reduced need for multiple specialized products. About 80% of consumers prefer these cleaners in liquid form, and you’d want to follow suit.
Other pieces of equipment you may need are as follows:
- Microfiber cloths for dusting surfaces without scratching them
- Dusting wand to reach high corners and blinds
- Vacuum cleaner for tidying upholstery and carpets
- Disinfectant wipes for sanitizing high-touch surfaces
- Trash bags and recycle bins for temporarily holding waste before disposal
Depending on your office size, designate a corresponding cleaning station and stock it with these tools and supplies. Having a dedicated terminal for all cleaning stuff ensures you’re always ready for the job.
- Schedule office cleaning smartly
Most offices are typically busy throughout the day. Thus, proper and strict scheduling for cleaning tasks is essential. Specify when the cleaners should do their work and what tasks to handle.
For example, they can clear away food containers, wipe the tables and sweep the floor right after lunch. Every morning, they can mop the floor of every cubicle and common area. In the evening, they can arrange stuff on the tables and cabinets. At the end of every month, they can deep-clean carpets, upholstery, and windows.
Establishing a reasonable routine and sticking to it is your winning point. By and by, cleaning will be more of a habit than a burden.
- Embrace technological assistance
Tech tools can streamline your cleaning routine. With a cleaning app, you can schedule tasks and set reminders for when they’re due. And after completing each chore, you can mark it ‘done’ on the app, allowing you to track your progress. You’ll know how disciplined you are in following the schedule. Failure to adhere to your laid out timetable may mean you need to review your goals.
Aside from control, tech tools free up your mind and time for more crucial engagements.
Conclusion
You now have a solution to the typical office chaos. Implement the shared tips and watch your office transform into an ever-clean haven. The result is optimum productivity every hour of the day and every day of the week.