Cleaning Strategies for Open-Plan Offices

17

Oct

Posted by: Admin

Open-plan offices are common modern workplace designs, known for their collaboration-boosting layouts and space efficiency. At the same time, however, they present unique cleaning and hygiene challenges. These are offices where multiple employees share desks, kitchens, wash rooms, and meeting areas, that increases the risk of spreading germs, and accumulating dirt, more than closed office designs.

In order to keep your open-plan office healthy, productive, and welcoming, businesses need a well-planned and consistent cleaning strategy. The Sloane Cleaning Services team have put together some actionable tips you can use to maintain a clean and healthy open-plan office space:

Create a Cleaning Schedule

Open-plan offices can experience high volumes of foot traffic, especially in hot desking and hybrid working environments. This demands a dynamic cleaning schedule. Rather than relying on evening cleaning teams, you need a layered cleaning schedule that includes:

• Daily cleaning – disinfect shared desks, empty bins, vacuum carpets, sanitise kitchen counters and appliances, clean and disinfect wash rooms, and sanitise high-touch surfaces, such as light switches and door handles
• Midday quick clean – a quick refresh of common areas, such as wash rooms and kitchens
• Weekly cleans – deep clean carpets, dust vents, disinfect keyboards

It is important to regularly review and adjust your cleaning schedule based on office occupancy, seasonal changes, and events.

Focus on High-Touch Surfaces

Certain surfaces in open-plan offices get a lot of hands-on activity, these areas should be prioritised for regular disinfection:

• Shared desks, keyboards, and landlines
• Conference tables
• Touch screens
• Door handles
• Elevator buttons
• Light switches
• Handrails
• Fridge doors, microwave buttons, and coffee machines

Create a Clean Desk Policy

A clean desk policy improves neatness and productivity, while making cleaning easier and more effective. We recommend you encourage employees to:

• Remove any personal items from their desks at the end of each day
• Wipe down their desk, computer, keyboard, and mouse with disinfectant
• Pack items away to reduce clutter
• Provide lockers for storage and desk caddies to reduce clutter 

Pay Attention to Indoor Air Quality

Open-plan office can quickly become a breeding ground for airborne germs when not ventilated properly. We recommend the following to ensure good indoor air quality at all times:

• Use HEPA air purifiers in busy areas
• Maintain your HVAC system with regular filter changes
• Open windows on warmer days to allow natural air flow
• Incorporate indoor plants into your office

Ensure Cleanliness of Shared Amenities

Shared amenities such as communal kitchens, break rooms, and wash rooms requires special cleaning attention. Focus on the following:

• Kitchen – clean countertops, sinks, and appliances numerous times daily. Encourage employees to wash their dishes, cleaning up after themselves
• Break rooms – disinfect tables and chairs regularly, empty bins often 
• Wash rooms – clean multiple times daily, ensuring supplies are regularly stocked

Communicate Your Hygiene Expectations

A cleaning strategy can only be effective when everyone is accountable, this includes your employees. Use signs, emails, and memos to make necessary announcements and reinforce office cleanliness:

• Ensure you outline what your employees are responsible for 
• Remind employees of cleaning policies
• Share updates on upcoming cleaning schedules and new protocols

Conclusion

Open-plan offices are open and collaborative, but they are only effective with a consistent cleaning strategy. If you are struggling to keep your open-plan office clean, Sloane Cleaning Services would love to help. Backed by more than 40 years experience with an experienced team, competitive prices, and bespoke cleaning plans, we can help you create a spotless and healthy working environment. Contact us now to find out more.