If you think you’re saving money by cutting corners on office cleaning, think again. Whether using the wrong cleaning solutions, forgetting to dust keyboards and electronics, or completely overlooking dust bunnies under your desk, these seemingly small office cleaning mistakes can have a big impact on your bottom line.
1. Using the wrong cleaning products
Imagine this: Dave from accounting decides to take the initiative and clean the conference room table. Armed with a bottle of all-purpose cleaner and a wad of paper towels, he scrubs away at the sticky residue from last week’s catered lunch.
But instead of a shiny and spotless surface, he’s left with a dull and cloudy mess. Why? Because he used a cleaner that wasn’t meant for the table’s delicate finish.
The takeaway: Using the wrong cleaning products can damage surfaces and leave them looking worse than before. Read labels carefully and use material-specific solutions for any surface you work with.
Here are quick resources on choosing the right cleaning solutions for the right materials:
2. Ignoring high-touch surfaces
How many hands touch door handles, elevator buttons, light switches, and shared computer peripherals in your office daily? These high-touch surfaces are prime real estate for germs, bacteria, and viruses.
Failing to disinfect these hotspots regularly is a recipe for disaster, especially during cold and flu season. A single sick employee can quickly turn your office into a petri dish, leading to widespread illness and a significant drop in productivity.
So, what’s the solution? Simple: disinfect, disinfect, disinfect! Inculcate a habit among employees and in-house cleaning staff to wipe down these surfaces multiple times daily with disinfectant wipes or sprays. Some areas you should pay attention to:
- Door handles and push plates
- Light switches
- Elevator buttons
- Shared keywords and mice
- Monitors
- Conference room phones
- Copier buttons
- Water fountain/dispenser buttons
- Vending machine buttons
- Faucet handles
- Staplers
- Tape dispensers
- Pens/pencils in shared containers
- Equipment/appliance buttons
- Chair rests
- Stair railings
- Remote controls
- Touch screens
Remember, any surface frequently touched by multiple people at any given time can harbor germs and bacteria. So it’s important to disinfect them regularly.
3. Overlooking nooks and crannies
Out of sight out of mind isn’t the right perspective when it comes to office cleaning. Ignoring these can lead to a buildup of dust, allergens, and even unwanted critters.
Think about the top of cabinets, desk undersides, and areas behind office equipment. All this can become breeding grounds for dust mites, mold spores, and allergens, potentially causing respiratory problems and other health issues for office staff.
The solution: Schedule regular deep cleaning to tackle hard-to-reach areas or areas that aren’t immediately visible at eye level. Move furniture, dust thoroughly, and vacuum with the right equipment. Your employees’ lungs will thank you.
4. Failing to take out the trash
The office trash bin can become a bottomless pit of crumpled paper, coffee cups, and half-eating snacks. It may seem harmless to let the trash pile up for a few days (janitorial cleaning services will take care of them after all).
But a habitually neglected bin can quickly become hotspots for bacteria, fruit flies, and a source of office-wide stink. Trust us, you’ll always want your office to smell fresh.
The solution: Don’t let trash take over your workspace. Have someone empty the trash bins daily or even more frequently for high-traffic zones like break areas, kitchens, and other backrooms.
We don’t want to let your office’s trash problem get to a point where the entire room starts to stink — you always want to target the root cause of the issue, not simply applying band-aid solutions — but you can use a deodorizer or sprinkle baking soda at the bottom of the bin to prevent it from smelling.
5. Not cleaning carpet stains as soon as they happen
Office carpets take a beating from foot traffic and the occasional spilled coffee. Ignoring these isn’t just unsightly; it can lead to permanent damage especially if office carpets aren’t cleaned often.
The solution: Don’t let spills go unignored. Act quickly to blot them and treat stains with a carpet cleaner designed for the specific stain type. You can also schedule regular professional carpet cleaning to remove embedded dirt and allergens.
6. Skipping regular deep cleaning
A quick wipe-down of surfaces and vacuuming might keep things looking decent on the surface, but what about hard water stains in windows? Or the sticky residue building up in the microwave?
The solution: Make deep cleaning a regular part of your office maintenance routine. You may need to hire a professional office cleaning service for a thorough scrub-down every few months or designate specific days for a more intensive, office-wide cleaning.
Either way, don’t let dirt and grime build-up to the point of no return.
7. Overusing cleaning chemicals — because too much of anything good can be bad
A clean office is a worthy goal, but not going overboard with cleaning products is crucial.
Many commercial cleaning products contain harsh chemicals like ammonia, chlorine bleach, phthalates, perchloroethylene, and formaldehyde irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system when misused.
Overexposure leads to headaches, nausea, and other health issues. Additionally, the residue left behind by some cleaners can trigger allergies or sensitivities in some individuals.
The solution: Opt for eco-friendly cleaning products and bleach alternatives wherever possible.
Go an extra step by looking for products certified by Green Seal or EcoLogo, which indicates they meet strict environmental and safety standards.
If the alternative is not an option, the best way is to use existing cleaning products sparingly and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to prevent overexposure.
8. Not training office staff on proper cleaning procedures
No one likes a scope creep, but if you’re already asking office staff to do extra cleaning, then set an example by training them properly.
There is a right way to do things. This is true for cleaning. Employees tasked with cleaning duties without proper training can produce disastrous results.
The solution: Train your in-house cleaning staff properly. Give them all the resources they need to get office cleaning done like a professional.
This could mean providing them with clear instructions, demonstrating proper cleaning techniques, or even bringing in a professional cleaning company to conduct a training session.
9. Underestimating the advantages clean office spaces have on staff productivity and morale
Cleaning is not just about appearances.
A messy office can slowly and silently kill productivity. Think about it: cluttered desks, overflowing trash bins, and dusty surfaces can be chaotic and make it harder for employees to get quality work done.
The solution: Make cleaning and not just your employee’s labor, a priority. Establish office cleaning rules so they’re empowered to take responsibility for their workspace. Schedule regular deep cleaning sessions for common areas.
10. Thinking you don’t have time to clean
Think again. Dedicating just 10 minutes at the end of every day to do a quick tidy-up can work wonders for any workspace. Encourage everyone to participate in a mini-cleaning blitz.
Clear off desks file papers, wipe down surfaces, and put things back where they belong. Simple, small habits that accumulate over time can have a huge impact — not to mention, make deep cleaning sessions less daunting and time-consuming.
Key takeaway
Clean offices engender productivity, positivity, and health. Period.
But even with the best intentions, common cleaning mistakes can undermine these benefits and cost your company dearly. Identifying and correcting these common mistakes allows you to build a workspace that not only looks good, but also makes your employees happier, healthier, and more productive.
Time to ditch those bad cleaning habits!