Maintaining a tidy shared work area, one that is used daily by multiple people, can be challenging. Clutter and mess can quickly accumulate, making the space look unprofessional. Nevertheless, sustaining cleanliness need not be difficult. Employees just need to follow a few simple practices to help keep shared areas like kitchens, conference rooms, and desks clean.
Develop Basic Cleaning Routines
Having basic cleaning routines everyone follows is key to sustaining neat common spaces. When expectations are clear and everyone knows their cleaning tasks, it is easier to prevent messes. Some routines to implement include:
- Wiping down kitchen counters and sinks after preparing or eating food.
- Returning dishes, food items, and appliances to their designated storage spots after using them.
- Sweeping kitchen floors every evening to keep them free of crumbs and spills.
- Straightening up conference rooms after meetings by cleaning whiteboards, returning items moved during the meeting, and arranging chairs neatly.
- Sanitizing shared phones, keyboards, computer mice, and other electronics weekly. The folk at All Pro Cleaning Systems explain that commercial cleaning services can provide sanitizing solutions and cloths specifically for electronics.
Simple routines like these only take a few minutes but make a significant difference. Posting checklists and reminders helps everyone remember their cleaning tasks as well.
Organize Storage Areas
Clutter easily accumulates when there is no home for items. Set up organized storage areas around shared workspaces so equipment, food, dishes, and supplies have assigned places. For example, provide a hutch for coffee makers and mugs in kitchen areas. Have a designated shelf in fridges and cabinets for employee food items. Install wall racks or cubbies for storing shared office supplies like staplers, paper, and pens in conference rooms or copy areas.
When everything has an organized spot, it takes little effort to return items when done using them. Post labels and visual instructions showing what belongs where, as helpful reminders. Keeping storage areas neatly organized prevents piles of stuff accumulating around work areas.
Schedule Deep Cleaning Days
Even with daily cleaning routines, deeper cleans are needed periodically to keep shared work areas clutter free. Schedule monthly or biweekly deep cleaning days to thoroughly tidy and sanitize all common spaces.
Kitchens and breakrooms likely need the most attention. Wipe inside microwaves, fridges, and cabinets. Mop floors, clean out old food items, and check appliances for any needed repairs during deep cleans. Dispose of all trash. Conference rooms and meeting areas should also get wiped down, vacuumed, with chairs sanitized. You may also schedule professional commercial cleaning services periodically for deep cleans.
The entire staff should assist with deep cleaning days to get areas properly tidied quickly. Schedule them in advance so people expect to take part. Split up cleaning tasks so no one person handles the whole space alone.
Improve Cleaning Supplies Accessibility
Provide adequate cleaning supplies in all shared work areas so quick cleanups are convenient anytime. Kitchens and breakrooms should have paper towels, disinfecting sprays and wipes, and trash bags readily available. Mount paper towel holders and spray bottle caddies on walls instead of hiding supplies in closets. Conference rooms should contain small vacuums along with dusters, trash cans, and multi-surface spray cleaner.
When cleaning items are easily accessible, people are far more likely to spot wipe spills, contain trash, remove clutter, and maintain cleanliness daily. It eliminates excuses that supplies were unavailable when someone notices a mess accumulating. Well-stocked and visible cleaning supply stations facilitate speedy cleanups.
Conclusion
A clean, well-organized shared workspace boosts employee morale, health, and productivity. Maintaining it requires consistent adherence to cleaning routines by all staff, accessible supplies, accountability measures, clear expectations, and regular participation in swiftly handling cleaning tasks to sustain clutter-free common areas.