Businesses for the most part, try to ensure that their offices are well kept; efforts are made for the space to look inviting and there is usually some form of cleaning regimen in place. Therefore, on the surface, everything is in order and there is no reason to suspect that within the walls of a well kept environment are some of the most germ filled areas that one will ever come across. However, the office has many areas that seem unlikely to be dirty, but they actually are, and therefore due care should be taken to thoroughly clean these areas on a regular basis. Here are some of the often overlooked areas, and some that may be a bit more obvious.
Shared Office Equipment
Equipment such as network printers, copiers and fax machines are heavily used in the office with most people having to use at least one type of these machines on a daily basis. However, these machines are not usually included in an office cleaning regimen and therefore, these machines become extremely dirty and can easily spread germs among its users.
Desks
Most office activities take place at desks and there are so many items that come in contact with desks as work gets done. With every item comes its own share of germs that’s left on the desk such as shared files or paperwork. Personal such as pocketbooks, and briefcases which are sometimes placed on floors and then on desk add to the germ load there..
Shared Supplies
Office supplies like pens and staplers are passed around the office quite a bit and therefore germs accumulate on these items very easily.
Phones
Phones are contaminated in two ways, by hands and by bacteria from the mouth. If they are used by more than one person, it is easy to see just how contaminated they can become and how easy it is to pick up some form of illness from the phone.
Bathrooms
It’s clear that the bathroom would be an area where germs are plentiful. However, persons may not be mindful of all the surfaces that harbor a lot of bacteria. Flush handles are clear, but equal attention should be paid to door knobs and locks and faucet handles. In bathrooms where the toilets do not have lids, there is some spraying from the flushing process, even it is not visible and therefore these germs get everywhere in the bathroom.
Breakroom
Another of the areas well known to harbor germs and bacteria because of the number of persons using it and the danger that comes with the mis-handling of food. The hotspots in the breakroom are the microwave the refrigerator door and counter tops.
Keyboards and Mouse
The keyboard and mouse are critical to most businesses and therefore are constantly used; it’s almost impossible to avoid touching them. Therefore, there is a lot more germs present on these tools than we realize
Water Fountain Buttons
Water fountains or water coolers are another of those communal items that had a lot of germs on their controls because of the number of person using them.
Vending Machines
Vending machines have been found to be one of the dirtiest places in an office environment, again because of the number of persons that use them on a regular basis.
There is no way to totally remove the presence of germs in the environment, but we can minimize their presence so that risks to health are kept at a minimum. A well designed cleaning regimen carried out by a professional cleaning company will keep your office or other place of business in as close to germ free as is possible. North Kent Cleaning Services is the right partner to help you to achieve a truly clean workplace. Please contact us at info@northkentcleaning.co.uk or 01634 271 173 so that we can discuss your needs.
