Did you know that the average desktop harbors 20,961 germs per square inch, in addition to 3,295 on the keyboard and 1,676 on a mouse? Your office phone can also harbor a staggering 25,127—that’s 127 more germs per square inch than on a toilet seat!
So, how can you quickly and easily reduce the number of germs you interact with in the office on a daily basis? The experts at Office Clearance London have provided a handy guide for what needs doing and when to help you keep on top of the germs in your shared or home office this summer.
How often should I clean my…
1. Keyboards and Mice – Daily
These high-touch items can harbor a lot of germs. With an average of 1,676 germs per square inch and an average mouse measuring roughly 10 square inches, there could be up to 16,760 germs on your computer mouse right now.
To help minimize the risk of illness, wipe them down with disinfectant wipes or a cloth sprayed with a mild cleaning solution at the end of each day. Also, don’t forget to wash your hands before eating lunch.
2. Door Handles and Light Switches – Daily
Did you know that office door handles can harbor 30 times more germs than a toilet seat? To reduce the spread of germs, high-touch areas like door handles and light switches should be disinfected daily.
To clean, simply use disinfectant wipes or sprays to clean these surfaces thoroughly and regularly. You can also use a paper towel to open the bathroom door or consider installing a pedal to open the door with your foot instead.
3. Desk Surfaces – Daily
Although you might think your desk is relatively clean, factors like location, frequency of visitors and your line of work. You should be extra cautious if you use a hot desk, or work in the office part-time on a desk share. Desks can quickly accumulate dust, crumbs, and germs, and it’s especially important to keep this area clean if you ever eat at your desk.
Clean your desk surface daily with a disinfectant wipe or spray to maintain a tidy and hygienic workspace. Remember to dust areas that are often neglected, such as behind your monitor and around knickknacks.
4. Phones and Headsets – Daily
Phones and headsets are used frequently and can easily become contaminated with bacteria, especially in offices with shared phones and devices.
Use disinfectant wipes to clean these devices daily, especially the mouthpiece and earpiece areas. If your headset has foam parts, consider buying some replacement pieces to replace the original every few weeks. Alternatively you can use warm water or hydrogen peroxide to clean foam pieces. Since they tend to act like a sponge, soap, or liquid detergents will be impossible to rinse fully.
5. Computer Screens – Weekly
Fortunately, computer screens aren’t as full of germs as other touch-heavy pieces of kit, so they don’t need cleaning quite as often or thoroughly. However, they can collect dust, grime, fingerprints, germs, and bacteria over time.
Wipe down your screens weekly with a microfiber cloth and a screen-safe cleaner, ensuring clear visibility and a germ-free environment.
6. Waste Bins – Weekly
Office bins, from waste paper bins to kitchen receptacles, can harbor nasty bacteria, including salmonella, e-coli, and listeria. Empty waste bins regularly to prevent unpleasant odors and potential contamination, illness, or infestations.
Empty kitchen bins bi-weekly and general waste bins at least once a week. To keep the bins hygienic, clean the insides with disinfectant spray or wipes weekly.
7. Shared Kitchen Appliances – Weekly
Shared items like microwaves, refrigerators, and coffee machines should be cleaned weekly to prevent grime and bacteria buildup. A recent study found that public coffee machines harbored, on average, 360 different strains of microbial growth, some of which could cause illness.
To maintain a clean communal area, wipe down all surfaces and key touchpoints with antibacterial and disinfectant spray or wipes.
8. Office Chairs – Monthly
Chairs can gather dust, stains, hair or fur, and odors over time – especially if you have long hair or work in a pet-friendly office. Often forgotten, the average office chair can be home to up to 21,000 germs per square inch!
To keep your chairs looking and smelling fresh, vacuum fabric chairs monthly and wipe down leather or vinyl chairs with a suitable cleaner.
9. Office Carpets and Floors – Monthly
Carpets and floors can accumulate dirt and allergens, so if you often suffer from hay fever or other allergies in the office, you may want to try cleaning the carpets and other soft furnishings.
Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors bi-weekly, and consider professional deep cleaning or shampooing carpets monthly to maintain a clean office environment.
10. Air Vents and Filters – Quarterly
Air quality is crucial for a healthy office and can be another big cause of allergies throughout the year. Keeping your air clean and fresh is an easy way to eliminate airborne germs and pollutants around the office and should never be missed from your cleaning schedule.
Clean air vents and replace air filters quarterly to ensure proper airflow and reduce dust and allergens in the office space.
