Tips to Disinfect Your Workplace

Disinfecting your workplace is crucial whether you work from home or at an office. Bacteria thrive in office environments because people spend so much of the day there. Keeping your workplace clean can significantly minimize your chances of getting sick.

Although simple cleaning works to remove dirt and dust from the surfaces in your office, it’s not enough. Taking a step further and disinfecting your workplace goes a long way. Cleaning and disinfecting procedures help remove germs and other microorganisms in your work environment more effectively.

Developing a cleaning and disinfecting system for your workplace is essential. If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Keep reading to learn Dazzle Cleaning’s top tips to keep your workplace clean and sanitary.

Why is Disinfecting Your Workplace Important?

Disinfecting your workplace is crucial for your health. A good cleaning and disinfecting routine can prevent the spread of germs in your work area. In the long run, this will ensure that you and your employees stay healthy, all year round.

When cleaning your workplace, make sure to pay close attention to the areas where people congregate the most. For instance, the break room or the lobby may have many high-touch surfaces that will require extra work.

When Should You Clean and Disinfect Your Workplace?

You should clean and disinfect your workplace at least once a day. This is especially important for high-touch surface areas. The areas where people meet and gather the most should be cleaned even twice a day to prevent the spread of germs.

Additionally, if there are any areas where young kids are confined, you’ll need to clean and disinfect them frequently throughout the day.

If an employee or colleague comes in to work sick, cleaning and disinfecting their work area throughout the day is a must. This is to ensure that the contagion is kept to a minimum, especially for illnesses such as cough and cold.

Top Tips to Keep Your Workplace Clean and Sanitary

Disinfecting your workplace daily will ensure it remains clean and sanitary. But how do you create a cleaning and disinfecting routine? Here are some tips to help you.

Pay Extra Attention to High-touch Areas and Surfaces

Even if your job doesn’t require dealing with customers frequently, you’ll find that there will be many high-touch surfaces. Here are some examples:

• In retail shops, shopping carts, shelves, keyboards, and light switches in dressing rooms are categorized as high-touch surfaces
• In private offices, desks, phones, doorknobs, toilets, faucets, stationery items, and sinks are high-touch points
• In hotels, this includes elevator buttons, stair railings, and door handles

It’s important to clean and disinfect these areas and surfaces frequently over the day. This will prevent germs from spreading and keep your workplace clean and sanitary for longer.

Use Gloves and Masks

When performing cleaning tasks, opt to use gloves and masks. This will help you avoid products meeting your skin. Additionally, masks help prevent the inhalation of fumes, especially when you’re using strong cleaning and disinfecting products. In some cases, you may even need to wear goggles to protect your eyes.

Let People Know When You’re Cleaning a Work Area

Let your employees and coworkers know when you’re cleaning so they can stay away from the area for a few hours. Also, make sure to close the area off until proper cleaning and disinfecting have been done.

This will ensure the area is properly cleaned and can be beneficial to others. Some people have sensitivities towards cleaning products. Knowing beforehand when an area will be cleaned can help them avoid allergy attacks.

Ensure the Ventilation is Adequate

Focus on ventilation when cleaning and disinfecting the workplace. Switch on fans or heating and cooling systems. Opening doors and windows is also an effective way to increase air circulation in the area.

Learn How to Safely Clean Various Surfaces

Different surfaces require specific cleaning methods. To ensure your workplace is clean and sanitary, pay close attention to the following tips:

For hard surfaces, such as counters, light switches, desks, and floors:
• Clean them with soap and water or appropriate cleaning products

For soft surfaces, such as carpets, rugs, and drapes:
• Clean them using products containing soap, detergent, or other types of appropriate cleaners
• Launder items according to the label’s instructions. Then, make sure they dry off completely
• Vacuum frequently and dispose of the dirt safely

For laundry items:
• Use the warmest water setting and dry items completely
• Clean and disinfect clothes hampers or laundry baskets

For electronics, such as tablets, touch screens, keyboards, remote controls, and ATMs:
• Consider covering electronics with a wipeable cover for easier cleaning
• Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and recommendations

For outdoor areas:
• Only use spray cleaning or disinfection products on high-touch surfaces
• Clean high-touch surfaces made of plastic or metal, such as grab bars, play structures, and railings, when visibly dirty
• Cleaning and disinfection of wooden surfaces, such as wood play structures, benches, and tables, is not recommended

Wash Your Hands

Once you’re done cleaning, take your gloves off and rinse your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water. If your hands don’t appear dirty and access to water and soap isn’t available, you can use hand sanitizer instead. Additionally, it’s important to remind staff to follow the proper handwashing techniques.

Store Cleaning Products Properly

Make sure cleaning and disinfectant products are property stores to avoid spills. Additionally, properly storing these products can help keep accidental exposures from happening and make your workplace a safer environment for everyone.

Encourage Sick Employees to Take Their Leave

If a staff member is ill, tell them to report to you right away before coming to the office. It’s best to let an employee rest to avoid transmitting the common flu and cold. Emphasize that experiencing symptoms is enough for them to stay home. Always have a contingency plan for situations like these.

Bottom Line

Cleaning and disinfecting your workplace is essential to keep yourself and your staff healthy. Establishing a cleaning and disinfecting routine is the best course of action. With the tips we’ve shared above, you can get started to ensure your workplace is always squeaky clean!

If you find yourself with little time left for cleaning and disinfecting, contact Dazzle Cleaning today! With our commercial cleaning services, you can rest assured that your workplace will always be clean and sanitary.