Managing an office comes with a million and one responsibilities and one that must not go overlooked is keeping the office clean. Yes, it’s not a manager’s responsibility to actually do the cleaning work itself, but to arrange it and ensure that the space is kept clean and safe for employees at all times. But, why is having a clean office so important? And what are the benefits of good cleanliness in an office environment?

In this article, we’re going to highlight the reasons why proper cleaning is paramount and take a look at a good, recommended cleaning schedule for the best results. Ready?

Why is having a clean office important?

So, why is having a clean office so important? Does it really make that much of a difference if the floors are spotless? Why does the kitchen area need to be kept pristine at all times? Is there a legal requirement?

First of all, keeping an office clean is all about setting the right example. If you want your employees to respect—and take pride in—the space that they work in, then you must take excellent care of it. Cleanliness is the first step toward achieving this end.

Secondly, you are legally obliged to maintain the overall health & safety of your office space and as soon as you fall behind on cleaning, you start putting your employees at unnecessary risk. For example, a build-up of dust is harmful to health, particularly for those who may suffer from respiratory disorders like asthma. Similarly, the kitchen and breakroom area must be kept clean so that your employee’s food doesn’t become contaminated.

Another good reason to keep an office clean is the fact that mess creates more mess. Again, your employees won’t respect a dirty space and they will only add to the mess and the clutter. Invariably, things will go missing, productivity levels will drop, and the overall standard of performance across the board will suffer.

Not only that, but a clean office is a comfortable office. It’s not just about health and safety but about creating a comfortable space for everyone to work in. While certain individuals may be entirely unphased by a messy environment, other people can become very distressed. Speaking from personal experience, as someone with mild ADHD on the ‘clean’ side of the spectrum, I get stressed out in cluttered and dirty environments. I find myself distracted and unable to work. As such, working in clean environments is critical for my working at peak performance. Simply put, there are mental health benefits to having a clean & organised office space.

What are the benefits of cleanliness?

So, what are the benefits of cleanliness? Cleanliness isn’t just important for the workplace, but life in general. Again, by setting a good example and keeping a pristine and clutter-free work environment, you’ll invariably inspire your employees to care for themselves – and their personal environments similarly. Here are 10 irrefutable benefits of good cleanliness:

1. Cleanliness can promote mental clarity – perfect for an office environment.
2. Regularly washing hands reduces the spread of infections.
3. A clean environment automatically boosts people’s self-confidence.
4. Cleanliness can give you a fresh and aesthetically charming appearance in your surroundings.
5. Setting a standard for both your office cleanliness – and indeed your employee cleanliness can help protect their health (washed clothes can protect from skin infections).
6. Cleanliness in an office can significantly reduce the risk of a pest infestation, such as rats, roaches, and parasitic worms.
7. Being clean and taking pride in one’s environment gives rise to good character qualities thus keeping the body, mind, and soul at peace.
8. Bathing at least once a day promotes a healthy lifestyle.
9. Cleaning all surfaces including door handles and telephone receivers can prevent the spread of infectious diseases via germ reduction and elimination.
10. A clean kitchen area protects us from germs, dust, and pesticides from fruit and vegetables.

While some of the above points do not apply so much to an office environment, you can clearly see that there are many benefits to cleanliness in general. By adopting a culture of cleanliness in your office, you’ll inspire your employees to take pride in their work and themselves.

What is a good cleaning schedule?              

With all that in mind, what is a good office cleaning schedule?

The perfect office cleaning schedule would be to have someone come into the office before anyone else in the morning to thoroughly clean the space. Following that, once everyone leaves, you could have a cleaner come in during the evenings to empty the bins. Doing this daily would ensure optimal cleanliness levels.

That said, you wouldn’t need a deep clean every single day. Take a look at the following recommendations…

Daily office cleaning:

• Washing dishes
• Sanitising the surfaces
• Cleaning the canteen floor
• Cleaning the microwave
• Tidying and dusting all common areas
• Cleaning the bathrooms
• Re-stocking the bathrooms
• Cleaning the front windows
• Emptying and cleaning all bins.

Weekly office cleaning:

• Cleaning communal fridges
• Dusting and cleaning all employee desks
• Dusting and cleaning the conference room/s
• Hoovering carpets
• Mopping all hardwood / polished floors
• Hoover/wipe upholstery
• Clean all windows
• Dust and clean light fixtures
• Clean skirting
• Clean drains.

Monthly office cleaning:

• Clear our vents and ceiling fans
• Hoover under all appliances (e.g., the fridge)
• Dust shelves and bookcases
• Polish all hardwood floors and tiles
• Wipe down any outdoor furniture (if applicable).

Of course, depending on the size of your office and how messy your employees are, these schedules may vary. However, it should give you a rough idea as to what to expect from professional office cleaners such as Enjoy Life Services.

Final thoughts

So, in conclusion, office cleaning is important because it can boost productivity, you have a legal and moral obligation to keep your employees happy and healthy, and because it sets an excellent example for your staff. You should aim to have your office cleaned once daily, with certain ‘deeper’ cleaning tasks being carried out on a weekly, monthly, and annual basis.