Nobody enjoys working in an environment that is unclean, or potentially even unhealthy. At the same time, numerous studies have shown an increase in productivity and the mental well-being of office workers when their workspace is clean and properly hygienic.
In this article we will cover 10 ways to keep your work stations clean and hygienic, so that you can enjoy all the benefits it brings, and at the same time send a signal to your surroundings that you are staying on top of your desk area and life in general. Enjoy!
Keep your workspace tidy by regularly decluttering and organizing your belongings. Staying organized will make it easy to clean and sanitize your work area.
But there are many other benefits to an organized working environment. It will also improve your productivity, by saving you time when you quickly need to find certain things, thus avoiding wasting time looking for misplaced items.
Research has also shown an organized environment can help reduce stress and improve focus, by creating a clutter-free and pleasant space for yourself, as well as any co-workers sitting next to you.
Use cleaning products specifically designed for disinfecting surfaces to regularly clean your desk, office chairs, and any other surfaces in your workspace. This will help kill germs and prevent the spread of illness.
A glass cleaner not only works wonders on your glasses, computer screen, and smartphone, but can also be easy to use on your office desk or windows. Add some disinfectant wipes, and you have a pretty inexpensive and flexible setup already.
Keep a trash can within easy reach so that you can quickly and easily dispose of garbage, such as food wrappers, paper towels, and other waste. This will prevent pests from being attracted to your workspace and will also help keep the area clean and hygienic.
Regularly clean and disinfect high-touch areas such as phones, keyboards, and mousepads, which can harbor a lot of germs. This will help prevent the spread of illness and will also keep your workspace free of germs and bacteria.
Avoid eating at your desk to prevent crumbs and spills from attracting pests and creating a breeding ground for germs. Not only will you avoid any odors from the last bite of your tuna sandwich, but you will also find it easier to get back to work, without needing to wipe down the area for crumbs and so on.
If you need to eat at your desk for whatever reason, be sure to clean up any spills or messes immediately and dispose of any trash properly.
Use hand sanitizer or wash your hands frequently to reduce the spread of germs. This is especially important because of the pandemic, but also very useful after using the bathroom, if you have a cold and are sneezing or coughing regularly.
It will also signal a level of cleanliness to your fellow co-workers, which can make them more comfortable dropping by your desk for a quick chat or help with their issues.
Keep a bottle of disinfectant spray and a pack of disinfectant wipes at your desk so you can quickly clean up spills or messes. This will allow you to clean your workspace quickly and easily, without having to leave your desk.
Your boss or manager will more than likely be able to find the necessary money in their budgets to help accommodate these small purchases, but even just some paper towels nearby can go a long way in case of an emergency.
Opening the windows next to your desk, or using an air purifier in an enclosed cubicle or office, can improve the air quality in your workspace by introducing fresh air and removing pollutants, allergens, and other potentially harmful substances from the air.
This will help your well-being by reducing the risk of respiratory issues and other health problems that can be caused by breathing in poor air quality. As an extra bonus, having good air quality in your workspace can help improve concentration, productivity and energy levels..
If possible, try to avoid sharing office equipment such as printers, copiers, and staplers with too many co-workers, in order to reduce the spread of germs. This is not always possible though, but can be a great way to ensure a high level of cleanliness.
Alternatively, if you must share the equipment, be sure to clean and disinfect your hands before and after using the equipment. A cheap hand sanitizer placed conveniently next to each type of equipment can also help motivate people to keep a high level of hygiene.
If you work in a shared office space, consider setting aside a designated cleaning schedule and supplies so that everyone can help keep the workspace clean. This will ensure that the office is always clean and hygienic, and will help prevent the spread of illness.