Germiest Areas in Your Office: Are You Cleaning These Spots?
At first glance, your office may look clean and organized, but there’s a hidden reality lurking beneath the surface—germs. Even in the most pristine-looking workplaces, bacteria and viruses thrive in unexpected places, putting your employees’ health at risk. Research has shown that common office hotspots often harbor more germs than a toilet seat!
Cleaning these germ-prone areas effectively isn’t just about maintaining appearances; it’s a key step in promoting productivity, reducing absenteeism, and ensuring a healthier workspace. This blog reveals the germiest spots in your office and equips you with actionable tips to tackle them.
The Germiest Areas in Your Office
1. Desks and Keyboards
Your desk isn’t just for work—it’s also a hotbed for bacteria. On average, a desk harbors 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, according to a study by the University of Arizona.
Eating at desks further contributes to the mess, with crumbs and spills becoming prime breeding grounds for bacteria. Keyboards and mice are similarly germ-ridden, with thousands of bacteria per square inch due to constant hand contact.
Tips for Cleaning
- Wipe desks daily with disinfectant wipes, focusing on high-touch areas like the edges and corners.
- Use a compressed air canister to remove crumbs and debris from keyboards. Follow up with alcohol-based wipes for disinfection.
- Introduce a “no eating at desks” policy to minimize contamination.
2. Break Rooms and Kitchens
While break rooms may seem like a safe haven, shared appliances like coffee makers, microwaves, and refrigerators are some of the most germ-filled areas in an office. Add dirty sponges, poorly cleaned countertops, and improperly stored food, and you’ve got a recipe for contamination.
Tips for Cleaning
- Disinfect shared appliances and countertops daily with EPA-approved cleaners.
- Empty and clean the inside of the refrigerator weekly, discarding expired items.
- Replace sponges frequently or switch to disposable cleaning cloths.
- Assign cleaning responsibilities for shared spaces to ensure regular maintenance.
3. Bathroom Surfaces
You’d expect restrooms to be germy, but many people underestimate just how much bacteria thrive on high-touch surfaces like faucet handles, soap dispensers, and toilet handles. The damp environment of bathrooms makes it even easier for bacteria and mold to spread.
Tips for Cleaning
- Use hospital-grade disinfectants on handles, faucets, and dispensers daily.
- Clean toilets and sinks daily, paying particular attention to hard-to-reach areas.
- Improve ventilation to limit moisture buildup, reducing the growth of bacteria and mold.
4. Phones and Office Equipment
Office phones, printers, and copiers are used by multiple employees daily, yet they rarely receive a proper cleaning. Phones alone can host 25,127 germs per square inch, making them a major contamination risk.
Tips for Cleaning
- Clean phones, laptops, and shared office electronics daily with alcohol-based wipes.
- Provide cleaning supplies near shared devices to encourage employees to clean as they go.
- Schedule a weekly deep-cleaning for heavily used equipment.
5. Door Handles and Elevator Buttons
These high-traffic touchpoints are germ magnets. Germs on handles and elevator buttons can easily transfer to hands, leading to the risk of wider contamination as employees move through the office.
Tips for Cleaning
- Disinfect door handles and elevator buttons multiple times a day, especially during flu season.
- Install hand sanitizer stations near these high-touch areas for added protection.
- Consider antimicrobial coatings for door handles as an extra line of defense.
6. Office Chairs and Armrests
Office chairs, particularly armrests, are often overlooked during routine cleaning, despite regular human contact. Over time, sweat, food particles, and everyday grime accumulate.
Tips for Cleaning
- Use disinfectant wipes to clean armrests and chair edges weekly.
- Deep-clean upholstered chairs regularly with steam or professional cleaning services.
- Encourage employees to wipe down their own chairs as part of their weekly cleaning routine.
7. Light Switches and Thermostat Controls
Light switches and thermostats are touched multiple times a day but are rarely included in cleaning schedules. This makes them ideal spots for bacteria to multiply.
Tips for Cleaning
- Include light switches and thermostat panels in your daily cleaning routine.
- Use disinfectant wipes or sprays to sanitize surfaces quickly at the end of each day.
Simple Steps to Keep Germs at Bay
Want to keep your office squeaky clean without cutting into productivity? Here are some easy-to-implement steps to reduce germ buildup throughout the workday:
- Establish a Cleaning Schedule: Create a daily and weekly plan for disinfecting high-touch areas.
- Supply Cleaning Products: Provide employees with disinfecting wipes and sprays for their personal workstations.
- Hire Professional Cleaners: Schedule regular deep-cleaning services to ensure hard-to-reach or overlooked areas are addressed.
Partner with ZIA Building Maintenance for a Germ-Free Office
Maintaining a clean office doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With ZIA Building Maintenance, you can rest assured that your workspace is treated with the highest professional care. Our expert team specializes in identifying and cleaning germ-prone areas, so your office remains not only spotless but also healthier for your employees.
Regular professional cleaning minimizes germs, reduces sick days, and promotes a welcoming, professional appearance. Schedule a consultation with ZIA today and create an environment where your business—and employees—can thrive.