The Truth About Office Germs
Posted July 26th, 2018.
We all know that struggle: when you get sick at work, should you go in or stay home? Thanks to tough PTO (paid time off) policies and the piles of work you have, sometimes you have to slog through it. Going to work sick means a lot of office germs, and it creates a problem: viruses can live on office surfaces for an extended amount of time, and your office has a lot of surfaces. From office bathroom surfaces to elevator buttons, you need to clean regularly to keep those office germs at bay.
Does Your Reception Area Welcome Germs?
If your business is booming, it’s likely you’ll see a hefty amount of foot traffic coming through the front door. Deliveries, employee arrivals, interview candidates, consultants, tech installers, and business associates all track in their own germs. Think about it: they walk across the floor, touch the door, and sign in at the desk—and that’s before they shake anyone’s hand.
When cleaning this area, don’t forget to wipe down the reception desk itself, the pens in the reception desk, and the door handles. If your reception area has chairs, make sure to clean the handles and seating areas regularly. If you have reading material in your waiting area (such as magazines), rotate or discard them to ensure cleanliness.
Tip: The reception area is an ideal place to offer hand sanitizer to help prevent the spread of germs.
Germs at Your Desk
While you might think of your desk as a comfortable, welcoming place, the truth is that office germs live there. They’re prevalent on the following areas, some which you may not think to regularly clean:
Computer keyboard: Your hands touch your computer keyboard more than any other area of your desk, making it prime germ territory, and you need to wipe it down regularly to keep it clean. We recommend using a computer-safe cleaning product on your keyboard weekly (and more if you’ve recently been sick).
Mouse: Do you use a mouse with your computer? If so, you guessed it—germs likely cover it. That’s because human hands collect germs constantly. Your mouse needs a weekly wipe down to keep the germ count low.
Monitor: If you don’t touch your monitor often, why would it gather germs? If you’ve ever sneezed at your desk, there’s your answer. Sneeze splatter flies all over, even if you’re using a tissue. While your body is awesome, it’s also a germ factory, and some of those germs end up on your computer monitor(s) as a result of sneezing.
While you might think of your desk as a comfortable, welcoming place, the truth is that office germs live there. They’re prevalent on the following areas, some which you may not think to regularly clean:
Computer keyboard: Your hands touch your computer keyboard more than any other area of your desk, making it prime germ territory, and you need to wipe it down regularly to keep it clean. We recommend using a computer-safe cleaning product on your keyboard weekly (and more if you’ve recently been sick).
Mouse: Do you use a mouse with your computer? If so, you guessed it—germs likely cover it. That’s because human hands collect germs constantly. Your mouse needs a weekly wipe down to keep the germ count low.
Monitor: If you don’t touch your monitor often, why would it gather germs? If you’ve ever sneezed at your desk, there’s your answer. Sneeze splatter flies all over, even if you’re using a tissue. While your body is awesome, it’s also a germ factory, and some of those germs end up on your computer monitor(s) as a result of sneezing.
Germs in the Kitchen
If your office has a kitchen, you can probably imagine where all the germs go. You’ve got the sink (and possibly the stove), the coffee pot, the microwave, and the refrigerator. When you clean items around the kitchen, pay particular attention to where you handle the appliances, as those areas are at highest risk of germ contamination and presence.
Germs in Shared Workspaces and Conference Rooms
When it comes to shared office spaces and cleanliness, you probably think about emptying trash cans and tossing any food or drink containers left after your last intense brainstorming session. However, shared office spaces require cleaning beyond that, and they’re a home for office germs.
Shared spaces include conference rooms, breakout rooms, interview rooms, or shared desks in open offices. There are plenty of surface areas and items that multiple employees use, such as staplers, desk areas, computer or projection equipment and remotes, and even tissue boxes themselves. These areas have an elevated risk for office germs since they’re shared, making germ transmission super convenient. Plus, these areas are among those some commercial cleaning companies are most likely to overlook.
Make sure you go beyond the basics here: wipe down the surfaces and any commonly used objects.
Seasonal Office Germs and Sickness
You know how it is around the winter holidays, especially: colds and flu abound, and employees have to call out despite the upcoming holiday time. It’s the most inconvenient time for anyone to get sick, but statistically, it’s one of the most likely times for it to happen. Maintain special awareness during the holidays and don’t forget to clean holiday-related items such as decorations and banners you’re not accustomed to cleaning on a regular basis throughout the year.
Fight Office Germs With Fox Cities Janitorial
Cleaning a commercial office space is challenging. In addition to the demands of a growing business, it’s not something most business owners maintain easily. Fox Cities Janitorial is here to handle the grime and chase away the germs. Protect your employees’ health, keep your office space looking tidy and professional, and save yourself some time. Reach out to us today.