Managing an office is no mean feat and there are lots of elements that come together to create the best working space for you and your employees. If you are looking for the best way to manage your workspace this year in a safe way there are many things to consider such and health and safety, fire risk, and hygiene.
Today we want to focus on the latter – and take you through some of the easiest tips and tricks you can implement for your office space this year to keep it clean and tidy and safe for all.
Streak free windows
If you work in an office with large windows, one of the best things you can do to improve morale is keep the light flowing throughout the space every day. Light has a huge impact on people and it makes them more alert as well as happier. By having lots of natural light coming through the office each day your workers will be more productive. To get the perfect streak free windows; you can invest in a magnetic window cleaner that will stick to the outside of your office while you wash the inside. When washing windows always start with a soapy wash, then window cleaner, and then rinse. Instead of downward motions that cause streaks – try starting with your squeegee at a right angle on the left hand side of the window, and use a snake motion to take the squeegee all the way to the bottom right. Make sure to clean your windows every couple of weeks for the best results.
Create a rota
As much as we like to think that everyone in the office is capable of cleaning up after themselves – this often isn’t the case in a public setting. The main issue is often that people will hide behind anonymity and will leave a mess everywhere because they know they won’t be caught and they won’t have to clean it up. You can easily prevent this from happening by creating a cleaning rota for high risk areas like the kitchen. By evenly distributing the task of cleaning amongst your workforce you will likely prevent people from making a mess.
Unclog the drains
It is so important that you clean the kitchen every single day for health and safety, and one thing to also be aware of is the sink and garbage disposal if you have one. When food grease and other food items get clogged up in the sink you’ll not be able to clean the kitchen effectively and you will also likely end up with grease clogging your pipes. You can use a company such as GF Commodities to help with bigger problems – and for smaller issues consider this home remedy:
You’ll need:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup baking soda
- 3 cups boiling water
- Pour 1 cup of boiling water down the drain.
- Sprinkle baking soda into the plug hole.
- Mix 1 cup of boiling water with 1 cup white vinegar and pour the mixture over the baking soda. Replace the plug to seal if possible. Leave for 20 minutes.
- Rinse with 1 cup of boiling water
Keep bins smelling fresh
When working in a communal space with a lot of other people, it is no surprise that the bins fill up at an incredible rate. However there is a simple trick you can try to keep the bins smelling fresh even when they are in need of emptying. To keep your bins smelling fresh all week long you can take a fresh disc that you would use in a toilet and instead apply this to the inside of your bin lid. The change this will make is immense and it will make a huge difference to you and your workers.
Easy microwave cleaner
The microwave is a handy appliance to have access to in the office, however it is also a nuisance when it comes to cleaning. When you are looking to keep the office clean and hygienic, the microwave can pose a challenge as everyone uses it and some people don’t use a lid. Cleaning the microwave can be a difficult task however we want to demonstrate how you can do this without the fuss and make the kitchen smell fresh in minutes. Cut a lemon in half and place it on a plate. Microwave this on full power for 2 minutes. The citic acid in the lemon will start to evaporate and steam the microwave and this will help loosen any grease and dirt that is stuck. Once done, wipe the sides and bottom of the microwave with the lemon and then with a sponge and water to rinse.
Use an air compressor
One of the biggest annoyances of working in an office is crumbs and dirt that get stuck in the keyboard and other technical equipment. When trying to tackle these hard to reach places you can use an air compressor gun to blow the crumbs right into the bin in seconds. If you provide one to every person in the office you’ll be able to get rid of diary and crumbs easily and keep the office looking clean.
Wipe desks daily
Sanitizing workstations is becoming more important than ever, and since the pandemic many of us have stepped up our game in terms of cleaning habits in the office. It is important to wipe desks and equipment daily with antibacterial wipes to stop the spread of infections and bugs. It will not only bring a sense of peace of mind to the people in youe office but it will also make a huge difference and allow you to feel safe and healthy every day.
Avoid sticky messes
Sticky messes such as coffee spills and food are disgusting and need to be kept on top of in an office setting. Often the simplest solution is the best of all, and providing every desk with a coaster will prevent this from happening and means that spills will be less likely to damage the woodwork of your desk.
Color code files
In terms of organizing an office space we all know it can be a challenge and this is why we can use things such as colored files and folders to organize items from different projects and departments. A color coding system might seem like something for schools but it can help increase productivity in the office. By having a designated color for each type of document in the workplace you won’t spend ages looking for the right document when you need it for a piece of work.
Be stricter with printing
Printing paper copies of documents is becoming a thing of the past, and it is time for us to all start utilizing the technology we have while also considering the environment. It is important for us to be much stricter with the printing of documents in the office to avoid wasting ink as well as cluttering up the space. Consider using an allowance system for your employees in the office and this should reduce the amount of random pieces of paper strewn around the place throughout the day.
Add some greenery
One of the surprising ways that you can improve the ventilation in your office is by having some greenery in the space. A couple of large office plants can make all the difference to you and you workers as they will produce and release oxygen throughout the office. Plants have been proven to have a calming impact on people and it is worth investing in a few easy care plants for your workspace for this very reason.
Install hand sanitizer stations
Hand sanitizer has never been as popular as it is nowadays – and now is the ideal time for you to take advantage and instill some good habits in your workforce. Have a few hand sanitizing stations installed around the office as well as at the entrance and exit. This will encourage people to wash their hands every day and keep clean.
Encourage communal lunchtimes
One thing that you can do when trying to maintain a clean office as well as encourage great office morale is to install a proper lunch area. When people have the option to sit out on tables either in a kitchen or a roof patio area they will; and this keeps food waste and crumbs away from desks. It is a simple trick that will make cleaning the office easier as well as keeping your employees happy and sociable with the others in the team.
Vacuum weekly
It is so important to vacuum the office often because people will shed skin and hair throughout the week as well as drop things like crumbs on the floor. The best time of the week to do the vacuuming is either last thing on a friday or first thing on a monday. This will prepare the office for a clean and tidy week and ensure that dust cannot irritate people’s chests throughout the week.
Use these simple cleaning and organizing tips to keep your office sanitary this year.