Wondering how to keep your office spic-and-span? Although work from home is becoming the norm, other workers, such as those in the hospitality and industrial sectors, cannot work in isolation.
If you’re one among them, knowing effective office cleaning tips can be your best shield against deadly viruses. Generally, pandemic or not, keeping a clean workplace is necessary. However, wiping and dusting is not enough.
You’ll need to level up your cleaning routine to ensure a safe and germ-free work environment. Below is a rundown of the most effective office cleaning tips that will help safeguard your workplace from the possibility of transmission.
Office Cleaning Tips – Making Your Office Safer For Everyone Amid COVID-19
Clean First, Disinfect Second
Perhaps, this is one of the most common mistakes people make when trying to keep their facilities germ-free – they disinfect and then clean; or, worse, they only disinfect and then end their whole cleaning routine right there.
What they fail to realize, however, is that cleaning the place before disinfecting it significantly reduces the viral load; therefore, helping the disinfection be more effective. Generally, cleaning must always come first before disinfecting.
By doing so, you are already removing tons of germs, dirt, and impurities from the surfaces. As a result, when you disinfect the place later, it will help kill only the remaining germs, resulting in a more solid cleaning effect.
To properly clean the place, the best method is to use a detergent or soap and water. Be sure to wear disposable gloves along with a face mask when you clean the surfaces.
Once done, proceed to disinfect the place and then throw the gloves and masks away right after. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
Disinfecting Comes With a Few Rules
Generally, if you’re set to disinfect a place, the best bet is to check out the official list of EPA-approved disinfectants to know which brands to buy.
However, if you don’t have enough time, or going to the nearest supermarket is impossible, the next alternative is to create your own: by mixing bleach with water.
According to robinpowered.com, the ideal ratio for large surfaces includes 5 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water.
Meanwhile, if you’re only set to disinfect smaller areas, the better bet would be 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water. The latter is especially handy for spray bottle applications.
Know What to Focus On
Generally, when it comes to cleaning your office, the goal is to keep everything – from the smallest item to the largest – safe and germ-free. However, to help make your task easier, it’s best to put your focus on surfaces that are commonly touched.
Normally, this includes tables, chairs, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, elevator buttons, and more. You’ll also need to disinfect your electronics, such as phones, keyboards, touchscreen equipment, and more.
You may use disinfecting wipes, such as Clorox or Lysol wipes, to clean your electronics. Ideally, you should clean it to the point where the surface or the item would remain wet for 4 to 5 minutes.
The Bottom Line
Not all have the privilege to work from home. And, even if you do, you’ll still get back to your office sooner or later. To avoid virus transmission and keep yourself safe amid the pandemic, be sure to follow the office cleaning tips discussed above.
And in fact, even if you work from home, your home office should get that sort of treatment too. That way you can be sure, you are in a safe environment and so is your family.
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