Ten Tips for Cleaning Offices at Home and Work

1. Start At the Top and Work Your Way Down

This is good advice whether you are cleaning at home or the office. When you start at the top, any dust you create will fall to the floor and get swept or vacuumed up. Likewise, there is no point in cleaning your floor or counters if the dust from the ceiling fan falls all over them.

2. Magical Eye-Level Test

Do you ever wonder how the pros get horizontal surfaces looking so clean? If you crouch down and look across the flat surface at eye level, you will be able to see dust or dirt that others may miss. For some reason, any spots that may have been missed are much more visible at this angle and can quickly be made a thing of the past.   

3. Why Isn't My Desk Clean? 

When professional cleaners come into your office or business, they will treat it with the utmost respect. That means trying not to move papers or your personal items around on your desk. If you wonder why your desk isn't getting the attention it deserves, it could be because your cleaner doesn't want to mix up your paperwork. To make sure your desk gets a good cleaning, make sure to clear your desk before the cleaners are scheduled to arrive.

4. Details Do Matter 

In business, you may be used to thinking about the big picture, but details matter when it comes to a clean space. You may not understand why a room looks so neat and clean, but special touches like wiping the baseboards or cleaning the kitchen sink can make a big difference.

Another small area that makes a huge difference to staff morale is the staff fridge. If you have ever come across someone's month-old lunch while hunting for your snack, you will know why it is essential to make sure the refrigerator is cleaned out regularly.

5. Switch to Environmentally-Friendly Products

These days everyone is talking about how to protect the environment for future generations. One easy change your business or office can make is to switch to environmentally friendly cleaning products. Switching to green cleaning products isn’t just better for the environment; removing harsh chemicals from your workplace can also improve your staff’s wellbeing.

6. Keep the Right Cleaning Materials Available

You may be surprised how often people use the wrong cleaning product for the job. The labels on your cleaning products will point you in the right direction and often contain instructions on their proper use.

Another item that sometimes surprises us is that many offices don’t keep a small stash of cleaning products available for employee use. Many people will clean up a spill if they can find the tools they need. Having a designated spot where employees can always find sanitizing wipes, paper towels, and cleaning solutions is a great way to encourage a tidy workplace.\

7. Let It Be — Soak Stubborn Stains and Messes

Scrubbing away at stubborn messes is generally a waste of time. However, for surfaces like floors and counters cleaned with water, the pros will generally make a few passes. First, you should get the surfaces wet, paying extra attention to stains or sticky spots to ensure they are properly soaked. Then, after letting the stubborn areas sit while taking care of a few other tasks, you can later return with a slightly moist mop, cloth, or sponge to quickly wipe the mess away

8. Lemon-Scented Freshness

Have you ever wondered why cleaning products are often lemon scented? Scientific studies have shown that when people smell lemon, they generally think that an area is clean, and they are more likely to try to keep it that way. This is because people automatically link a lemon scent with a clean space. So next time you are expecting an important client, give your area a quick once over with a lemon disinfectant wipe, and you are sure to make a great impression.

9. Sanitize Electronics Frequently

Remember electronics need cleaning too. It is essential to disinfect computers, phones, and copiers as they are the most touched surfaces in the workplace. 

To clean electronics safely, remember to unplug and use a soft clean microfiber cloth. Most manufacturers have specific instructions for cleaning electronic equipment to look up the correct method before going ahead. For example, tablets sometimes have a special coating that may rub off easily; because of this, it is recommended to clean them using distilled water with a very soft microfiber cloth.

10. Have a Routine and Follow a Checklist

Having a routine and following a checklist may seem like common sense, but it is crucial to maintain a clean workplace. When you stick to a consistent cleaning and maintenance schedule, you are never in that state where things look unkempt. By not waiting until things are messy to clean them, you always stay ahead of the game.

Also, remember to keep track of things that need periodic maintenance. For example, it can be worth hiring office janitorial services for carpet cleaning, or a strip and wax for your hard-surface flooring.