Before the pandemic, office managers used cleaning services to organise the office, make the workspace presentable and give the appearance of a clean workplace. Fast-forward to 2022, and it’s safe to say that this isn’t the case anymore. Employees and businesses are now more proactive than ever about working in a hygienic environment.
Why It’s Important to Clean Correctly
Everybody must be equipped with the knowledge and resources to properly clean and maintain office equipment. Cleaning done poorly can potentially worsen the spread of bacteria and even cause damage. Nothing can impact productivity like a malfunctioning computer or faulty AV equipment; all of which can be caused by negligent cleaning. Learn about the most common mistakes made when cleaning electronics and what actions you should take instead.
1. Using the Wrong Cleaning Solutions
Cleaning office equipment with daily-use items such as paper towels and certain cleaning fluids may be tempting with its accessibility, but the consequences could be fatal for your electronics.
Problem: For instance, paper towels can scratch screens and rub off the protective coating, while cleaning solutions with hydrogen peroxide can damage the internal components of various electronic devices.
Solution: As a general rule of thumb, always dry with a lint-free microfibre cloth and avoid using any cleaning solutions containing bleach and hydrogen peroxide when dealing with electronic equipment.
2. Using a General Office Washcloth
Most offices will have a designated washcloth or towel to clean or scrub surfaces. However, these are rarely washed and can actually worsen the level of hygiene in your workplace.
Problem: Mopping your desk with an office washcloth that’s been hanging around for the past two weeks will fail to eliminate harmful bacteria. Furthermore, it will spread the bacteria all over your desk, while adding other sorts of bacteria the washcloth has picked up in the past two weeks.
Solution: Clean office washcloths after each use, or use a disposable disinfectant cloth made purposefully for general cleaning.
3. Cleaning IT Equipment Incorrectly
When cleaning IT equipment (particularly screens), it is imperative to clean the right way, or you risk damaging (or breaking) your expensive IT equipment.
Problem: A common issue is monitor or laptop screens. Many users will press too hard when wiping their screen, thus causing internal screen damage that can quickly render the screen unusable.
Solution: When cleaning IT equipment of any sort, be sure to read the supplied instructions carefully. Alternatively, you can refer to our downloadable cheat sheet for quick reference.
4. Spraying on Surfaces Directly
It’s tempting to give a keyboard or screen a quick spray and then wipe it down with a cloth. However, doing so can subsequently lead to a myriad of issues for your devices.
Problem: Fluids or moisture can seep in between gaps and buttons when sprayed directly, wreaking havoc on internal and external components, and potentially causing severe damage to your equipment.
Solution: Never spray your devices directly. Instead, spray into a microfibre lint-free cloth to dampen it, and then apply to the device being cleaned.
5. Relying on Cleaning Services
Depending on the regularity of your office cleaning services, you should empower your employees to take action to protect their well-being.
Problem: A cleaner who comes in daily to organise desks and remove debris from desks isn’t going to eliminate all the harmful bacteria in the office.
Solution: Offer your employees care items such as tech wipes and hand sanitiser. By giving your employees the resources they need to safeguard their health, you’re not only empowering them but showing you care for their well-being.
6. Not Having a Cleaning Guideline
In order to make your office a healthier and safer workplace, it will take all of your employees' cooperation and understanding for any office cleanliness strategy to work.
Problem: If employees don’t understand the basics of how to clean their devices correctly or why cleaning their devices are important, you could potentially end up with damaged or malfunctioning equipment.Solution: Develop an office cleaning guideline with clear expectations. Distribute our cheat sheet to show why it is important to maintain clean equipment and what the best cleaning practices are for various devices .
The Bottom Line
Taking the initiative to create a hygienic and safe workplace can offer numerous benefits for your employees and business. Remember to follow up your intentions with a comprehensive office hygiene plan that communicates why office hygiene is imperative and how employees can take action to safeguard their well-being.
Download our free office cleaning cheat sheet that articulates the importance of cleaning one’s workspace and the best ways to do so.
