We all remember the fear that came with the COVID-19 pandemic. You were never more aware of what you touched or the people around you than you were during that time. While the terror of the pandemic has subsided, the cleanliness standards left behind remain strong. Whether you are an office manager, small business owner, or facilities management professional for large companies, you are responsible for maintaining a clean and safe workplace environment through diligent office cleaning, and nothing is of greater assistance than hiring office cleaners.
Evolving Office Cleaning Standards
After the strike of the COVID-19 pandemic, cleanliness across all sectors elevated – from mandated protocols to heightened personal standards. It didn’t matter your industry type; the importance of rigorous and regular cleaning became a fact of business that could no longer be overlooked at any point, and it was often accompanied by updated health guidelines and protocols. The National Library of Medicine even published a paper detailing how 83% of a survey given to cleaning companies found changes in cleaning protocols, particularly an increase in cleaning frequency and changes in application type.
Advanced Sanitization Techniques
Office cleaning, in particular, went from focusing on aesthetics to adapting to a deeper understanding of hygiene and sanitation. This led to increased cleaning protocols to protect staff and customers, including developing and implementing advanced sanitization techniques that have now become a common practice.
Rather than solely focusing on polishing wood desks to make them shine or dusting countertops, office cleaning is now focused on eliminating harmful pathogens. For example, high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, elevator buttons, and light switches, are now regularly disinfected. Another example would be the use of electrostatic sprayers, UV-C light, HEPA filters, and EPA-approved disinfectants. Overall, office cleaners are being allowed to prioritize sanitization to make for a cleaner and healthier work environment.
Creating a Safe and Welcoming Office Environment
Having spent the past few years living in the pandemic-era, employees are far more cautious about where they spend their time. If your business has returned to the office, whether part- or full-time, there are strategies you can employ to make your employees feel safe and comfortable.
We recommend involving your employees in maintaining the cleanliness of the workspace. You can do this by:
- Establishing Clear Guidelines: Create a clear set of cleanliness guidelines that outline everyone’s personal responsibilities. These guidelines should include tips on maintaining personal workspaces, shared areas, and proper trash disposal. Plus, make sure to post them in breakrooms and other shared spaces for easy visibility reminders.
- Providing Cleaning Supplies: Equip each desk with basic cleaning supplies, such as disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizers, and small trash bags. Additionally, we recommend you set up cleaning stations in convenient locations around the office. These stations can be stocked with cleaning supplies and hygiene products as well as have restock options for desk cleaning.
- Encouraging Desk Cleanliness: Motivate employees to keep their desks tidy by implementing a “clean desk policy” that promotes minimal clutter, regular wipe-downs, and organized storage. You can add incentives as extra motivation!
- Implementing Clean-as-You-Go Policies: Encourage good habits such as cleaning up immediately after meetings, washing dishes after use, and wiping down communal machines post-use.
- Leading by Example: You should actively participate in maintaining cleanliness yourself. When leadership takes cleanliness seriously, employees are more likely to follow suit.
- Valuing Sick Days: Respect and promote sick days or provide a hybrid work option to avoid bringing unnecessary sickness to the office.
While it may take a little while to set up these actions and get employees to actually implement them, you would be surprised at how habitual they will become and the difference they will make!
Why You Should Hire Professional Office Cleaners
When it comes to office cleaning, prioritizing the health and safety of your staff and visitors is of the utmost importance. While it may be tempting to DIY cleaning among staff or hire an in-house janitor, hiring professional office cleaners achieves the following five benefits.
#1: High Standard of Cleanliness
Professional office cleaners are trained to the highest level to ensure your office is spotless, hygienic, and welcoming. With extensive training and experience, you can rest assured that nothing is missed in your cleaning routine.
#2: Professional Equipment & Expertise
With professional office cleaners come high-grade cleaning equipment and the expertise to use it. For example, at Dura-Shine Clean, our office cleaners are provided with top-of-the-line cleaning equipment and the training to use them. With this equipment, you get a higher level of cleaning than can be achieved with elbow grease.
#3: Customized Cleaning Plans
Every business and office environment is different, so cookie-cutter cleaning plans don’t obtain optimal results. With us at Dura-Shine Clean, you get a customized cleaning plan optimized for business. From your building layout to working hours to office traffic, we design a plan to ensure every aspect of your office cleaning is optimized to the greatest measure of cleanliness.
#4: Employee Peace of Mind
Hiring professional office cleaners comes with more than just a clean space; it provides peace of mind for you and your employees. Not only does a clean and tidy workplace promote productivity, but employees can come into work assured that you have taken their health to heart and done everything in your power to protect them. There is nothing quite like walking into a clean, sanitized space – knowing that when Joe sneezed yesterday, it didn’t linger!
#5: Eco-Friendly Cleaning Practices
Green cleaning solutions prioritize environmental friendliness and protect your business’s and its occupants’ health and safety. For example, at Dura-Shine Clean, our use of trusted eco-friendly products from reputable sources like Procter & Gamble and Spartan Chemical, combined with our efficient cleaning strategies, ensures that we can provide our clients with industry-standard service without compromising their dedication to environmental sustainability.
Make a Difference in Your Office with Dura-Shine Clean
At Dura-Shine Clean, we want your office space to be a clean, productive space where employees and visitors feel comfortable. You can take steps to ensure your office is thoroughly sanitized and safe for your employees. Contact Dura-Shine Clean today to learn more about our professional office cleaning services.
