With the new hybrid work model, more companies have transitioned to a shared office space environment. With this brings greater challenges for office cleanliness. Sharing workstations, office chairs, phones and equipment such as keyboards and mouse devices increases the potential spread of bacteria and viruses. Maintaining a clean and hygienic workplace becomes even more important than in traditional office environments.
Where many different people are touching the same surfaces daily, germs prosper. Regularly scheduled, comprehensive cleaning and disinfection protocols are critical to prevent the spread of germs, and to keep shared workspaces safe and healthy for everyone.
Maintaining a high level of hygiene in any workplace creates a more pleasant, less stressful and therefore more productive work atmosphere, where users and occupants have peace of mind knowing that high standards of cleanliness are being sustained.
BEST PRACTICES FOR KEEPING SHARED OFFICE SPACES CLEAN AND HEALTHY
Establish Regular Cleaning & Disinfection Routines
Consistency is vital to maintaining hygienic conditions in shared workspaces. A regularly scheduled cleaning and disinfection routine prevents dust, grime and bacteria from accumulating on shared surfaces, and therefore reduces the risk of disease transmission.
Designate specific times and create a checklist of tasks that must be completed regularly, such as frequent cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces and shared workspaces and equipment, as well as vacuuming, mopping floors and restocking of cleaning supplies.
Encourage Good Hygiene Practices
Practicing good personal hygiene, such as regular hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer reduces the risk of disease transmission. Provide easy access to hand sanitizing stations in all shared or co-worker areas and post visible reminders of the importance of maintaining proper hygiene to prevent the spread of bacteria and illness.
Focus on High-Touch Surfaces
In shared workspaces, surfaces that multiple people touch frequently throughout the day in turn require frequent cleaning and disinfection. These high-touch surfaces harbour germs and bacteria, and they include computer keyboards and mouse devices, phones, doorknobs, light switches, elevator buttons, kitchen appliances and shared office equipment such as printers and copiers.
Discourage Clutter
Cluttered work areas allow dust, allergens and germs to accumulate. Encourage all users of shared office spaces to keep desks organized and free of clutter while using them and to clean and remove all personal objects and debris when leaving the space for the next user. This also makes it easier for professional cleaners to do their job properly. Keeping common areas such as meeting rooms, breakrooms and reception areas decluttered also promotes an attractive and professional atmosphere.
Ensure Proper Ventilation
Proper ventilation is necessary to maintain healthy indoor air quality and prevent the buildup of air pollutants such as dust, mould and bacteria. Ensure your shared work environment is adequately ventilated by allowing fresh air to circulate whenever possible. Consider installing ventilation systems and air purifiers to improve indoor air quality. Have the HVAC systems and vents cleaned and maintained regularly, and replace filters often to prevent airborne contaminants that can contribute to respiratory illness.
Enlist the Help of Professional Cleaners
Ensuring a clean co-working facility is essential, but maintaining proper cleaning and disinfection routines can be challenging and time-consuming, especially with the high turnaround of users that occurs in shared workspaces. Professional commercial office cleaners have the expertise, specialized products and equipment and strategies necessary to keep shared office and workstations thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Professional commercial cleaners work when it suits your schedule and tailor their services to meet your needs and preferences.
With over 70 years of experience in the commercial cleaning industry, ServiceMaster Clean are experts in providing professional cleaning and disinfection services for all types and sizes of offices and workplaces including office sharing and co-working facilities. Contact ServiceMaster Clean today to find out more about our specialized commercial cleaning services for shared offices and workplaces, and to receive a complimentary estimate for a regularly scheduled hygienic maintenance program designed to meet both the requirements of your facility and your budget.