It has almost been a year since the coronavirus pandemic began, so by now, we are all aware of the importance of high standards of hygiene. That’s why we clean our homes every day, vacuum, disinfect all the surfaces. But what about your workplace?
Sure, hygiene is significant in normal circumstances, but now, it is essential. However, making sure that the office space is pristine can be quite challenging, especially if a lot of people use it. Well, in this article, we will provide you with some tips on how to keep it spotless.
1. Cleaning / Sanitizing / Disinfecting
First things first, let’s discuss the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting because not a lot of people understand it completely. Cleaning denotes the removal of dust, debris, fingerprints, and water rings from desks and other surfaces. It is completed with a damp cloth, and sometimes, people use some sort of detergent. Obviously, it is the first step in this entire process.
Then comes sanitizing. This is when you decrease the number of bacteria and germs from surfaces. It is usually done by traditional cleaning solutions you can get at every store. Finally, there is disinfecting. You should use specific chemicals to kill all the germs instead of just removing them. These are very powerful, and you should go with those that have an EPA seal on them, meaning that they were tested and are approved for sanitation. Sometimes, disinfection also includes heat and UV lights.
2. Take a look around
The very first thing you have to do is take a look around your office and understand what has to be cleaned. A lot of people assume that it is enough only to sanitize their desks, but the truth is that it isn’t sufficient. There are also doorknobs, handrails, light switches, all the devices, as well as toilets, sinks, faucets, and so on. You cannot forget about these because people you work with touch them on a regular basis. Besides, it won’t matter if you clean the desks and counters since the bacteria will still spread around easily.
3. Consider hiring professionals
Depending on the size of your office and the number of furniture pieces, it may be easier to hire experts like BeaverMaids for this task. First of all, going over everything can be time-consuming, and plus, you will need a lot of cleaning products that can be quite costly. Even though it may seem like you would spend a lot of money employing someone to completing this work, it may turn out that you can save quite a lot. Obviously, you should hire a company that is within your price range, but you also have to investigate the service they can provide you with, so make sure to check this.
4. Gear up
If you decide to tackle this task on your own, you have to get some protective gear. Naturally, you will need gloves since these chemicals can be quite harmful to your skin. Our advice is always to use a disposable pair of gloves and toss them away once you are finished. This is the best way to ensure that you won’t be spreading the germs around.
What’s more, you should also have a mask. Breathing in these solutions can also be dangerous for your air ways, and it is also another method you should use to make sure you don’t inhale the virus and germs.
5. Start with soap and water
Do you remember when we said that the first part of the process is cleaning? Well, if there is visible filth on the surfaces, you cannot skip this step. Otherwise, it won’t matter if you use the most powerful chemicals since the dirt can protect the germs underneath, so you wouldn’t really do anything.
Due to this reason, you should begin with water and soap and scrub every inch of the surface. If you want to use some cleaning product, make sure to check the label to ensure that it is appropriate for that type of surface.
6. Use a solution for disinfection
Once you have removed all the dirt and debris and let the surface dry, it is time for the next step. When it comes to finding the right product, you should take your time. You can go with the one that contains 70% of isopropyl alcohol, bleach solution, or a product that has an EPA seal. It means that it is tested and efficient for killing germs and bacteria.
Similarly, you can go with disinfectant wipes, but you have to make sure that they are soaked up in solution. Otherwise, they won’t be as effective as they should be.
7. Give it time
Another thing most people don’t understand is that these cleaning products need some time to work. They believe that just spraying them around and wiping them off is enough. Well, it isn’t, so you have to read the label. This requirement is stated on each item, so make sure to read the label and follow the instructions closely.
Even though most of them need between three and five minutes to work, some may need more time, so don’t skip this step. In addition, some solutions, such as alcohol, evaporate, so you can just leave them to dry.
8. Make sure you are using the right product
We have already stated that it is important to read the label to understand how to use the solution, but there is also another reason why you have to do it. Most of these cleaning products are specifically designed to be used on a certain type of surface. Some of them should only be used to clean wood, other work best on glass, and so on. If you mix them up, you risk damaging the color and texture of your desk.
9. Dispose of the gear
Upon cleaning and sanitizing your office, you have to throw away the gloves and mask and naturally thoroughly wash your hands. You should do this as soon as you are finished and make sure not to touch your face or any other part of your body if you haven’t washed your hands meticulously.