Why should cleaning be reserved for just the home? After all, we spend around a third of our adult lives at work — so the office should be a priority.
But unlike cleaning a house or a flat, cleaning an office is about making yourself more productive at work. If you’re in a clean, clear and accessible space, you’ll be able to think more clearly — and access the things you need, when you need them.
To get your office in tip-top shape, follow these simple steps.
Schedule your cleaning
Just like a meeting, a cleaning session must be scheduled — otherwise there’ll always be something else taking up your time. Set aside the necessary time for cleaning on your work calendar. If you need to, split the time into several sessions. Just a few minutes a day could get set your work space up for year-round success.
Tip: Schedule office cleaning for last thing on Friday, when the business world starts winding down for the week.
Don’t be disturbed
Treat your office cleaning sessions as important meetings. Tell your colleagues that you’re not to be disturbed, and let your voicemail take your calls. Distractions can cause you to take your eye off the cleaning ball — and that’s how most offices never get a good clean. Don’t answer calls or reply to emails until you’ve completed that day’s allotted cleaning calls.
Tip: Cleaning sessions of just 10 minutes every day can get your office clean and functional within just a couple of weeks.
Think ergonomically
Office cleaning isn’t just about wiping down desks and deep cleaning carpet tiles — it’s also about making your office space work better. Sit in your chair, and check what you can’t reach and what you can. Ideally, you should be able to grab the things you use several times a day, including important files, office tools and everyday items of stationery.
Rearrange your desk and the immediate area to ensure you have instant access to the stuff you need most often. Use other areas to store items you use infrequently. But most importantly, set your space up in a way that makes working as easy as possible.
Create a cleaning checklist
Walk around your office, and make a list of everything in it that needs to be cleaned. Among the items you will need to clean are:
- Drawers
- Filing cabinets
- Blinds
- Handles and switches
- Carpets
- Tiles
- Printers (exteriors cleaned with antibacterial wipes)
- Telecommunication equipment
- Catering areas
- Windows and frames
- Shelving
- Bins and waste paper baskets
Start by decluttering your workspace before covering equipment to protect it from spillages and sprays. Put a cleaning notice on your door if you have a private office, and systematically move around the space to ensure every square inch receives attention. If you’re leaving wet floors behind you, make sure you place “wet floor” signs around the affected areas.
Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive; it will include any items or areas that are unique to your office. It’s also a good idea to stock up on essential cleaning items. A handheld vacuum cleaner is perfect for office environments, as is a handheld steam cleaner.
Clean your to-do pile
This is a great opportunity to go through your to-do pile or list. Tick off anything that has been completed, and if there’s a paper trail, shred it if possible — otherwise file it. Don’t forget your email inbox either. Delete all of your obsolete emails, and check your spam folder for misdirected mail.
Enlist the help of colleagues
If you share your space with work colleagues, it’s only right that they do their fair share of cleaning. Split your cleaning checklist into smaller chunks, and distribute them to colleagues as fairly as you can. If you want to set a few ground rules or ask if people have cleaning jobs they’d prefer to take on, you can send a group email, stick a poster up in a common break area or bring the issue up at your next team meeting.
Summer cleaning time is now upon us — don’t neglect your work space!