Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there! It can be overwhelming to keep every nook and cranny of your workspace fresh. Spring cleaning is there to help combat the build-up, but… did you really get everything? After a closer glance, you might see there were some spots you missed. While this might not be a big deal to you or your employees, it could leave a bad impression on potential or returning clients who come to visit. We are invested in your company’s success, and that means we will go above and beyond to help you keep your office looking sharp! Here are the top ten things we’ve found that most businesses forget to clean:

• Behind Printers and Copy Machines

‍Printers that see a high amount of traffic produce small particles of paper which linger underneath and behind the machine. Left to their own devices, these undetected paper particles can gather into larger, more harmful colonies of dust, which could damage your machines and sabotage your company’s workflow. For copy machines, it’s also important to wipe down all glass surfaces, especially those that do the actual copying. Prints and smudges will transfer over to any documents copied, rendering your work unprofessional, or worse—illegible.

• Light Fixtures

‍Over time, the beautiful lamps and light fixtures adorning your workspace can be obscured by unsightly dust, debris, and any unfortunate bugs that have meandered too close. In addition to dulling the shine of your light fixtures, this build up can be a cause for concern for anyone in your office suffering from allergies or asthma. Taking the time to focus on these fixtures is a great way to light up everyone’s day.

• Vents and Ceiling Fans

‍Notoriously inaccessible and hard to clean, these hidden spaces quietly collect dust until they are covered in so much grime that they are almost beyond recognition. Vents gather more dust during the winter and summer months (when heating and cooling systems are used most often) whereas ceiling fans collect grime when they aren’t used. Help your office breathe a little easier by damp dusting these areas with cleaning solution about once a week.

• Baseboards, Crown Molding, and Backsplashes

‍These surfaces tend to fall under the radar but can really brighten up a room when at their best. Think back to the last time you entered someone’s office or home as a guest. How did that space make you feel? Chances are, if they made a good impression on you, their space was clean and relaxed, and their crown molding was on point. When not at their best, these three areas can really bog down a room and do a disservice to the environment you’re trying to cultivate.

• The Office Kitchen

‍If you don’t have an office kitchen, consider your kitchen at home. Even if your kitchen is spotless, there may be one or two areas in need of some extra attention. Not naming names, but the space behind the refrigerator might be a prime suspect. We’d check on the crumb area under the microwave, too. And if your kitchen garbage can has ever had a harrowing encounter with a leaky trash liner, now would be the time to remedy that incident.

• Switch Plates and Door Knobs

‍From everyday workers to infrequent visitors, doorknobs and switch plates see it all, and provide an optimal place for germs to gather. Consider this: How many times have you touched your face today? Maybe even just to bump up your glasses, of fix your earrings? Now multiply that by the number of people that enter your office daily, and you’ve got a rough estimate of just how many accidentally germy hands have come into contact with your door knobs and other hardware recently. Scary stuff.

• Steps, Stairs, and Office Chairs

‍What do these three spots have in common? Heavy foot traffic. Although hurricane season hasn’t started just yet, we’ve had enough rainy days to warrant a healthy concern for the amount of mud and debris tracked inside during and after a storm. This is especially true in the case of stairs and steps, but also something to keep in mind when it comes to the bottoms of office chairs, where feet tend to park themselves throughout much of the day.

• Upholstery

‍The amount of debris underneath your couch cushions is more substantial than you might think. Steam cleaning is a great way to refresh your old furniture, and make your office look brand new.

• Windows, Mirrors, and Displays

‍One of the best ways to brighten up a space is to install a mirror. By reflecting light, windows, mirrors, and displays, such as televisions or computer monitors, magically add depth to the room. When these surfaces become dirty, they have the opposite effect. Rooms suddenly look and feel much darker and give off the impression of being unclean or grimy. To ensure a sparkly, streak-free shine, use cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth, wiping in an “S” pattern instead of using a circular motion.

• Pipes and Plumbing

‍To keep your pipes running smoothly, it is recommended that you have your entire plumbing system checked by a professional at least once per year. In the meantime, baking soda and vinegar are your best friends. Remember that prevention is the best medicine, and don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional if there is an emergency, especially when it comes to commercial drain pipes.

Sources:

Most Businesses forget to clean:

https://www.rbmclean.com/8-things-most-businesses-forget-clean/

http://www.jacksmaintenance.com/blog/top-things-most-businesses-forget-to-clean

http://www.ejanitorialcompany.com/blog/posts/the-top-10-things-most-businesses-forget-to-clean/

https://www.janitorialmanager.com/blog/a-checklist-of-the-10-things-most-cleaning-businesses-forget-to-clean/

https://www.cleangreenvancouver.ca/things-most-businesses-forget-to-clean/

Commercial Drains: https://www.expresssewer.com/blog/how-often-should-i-clean-my-commercial-drains

Window Treatments: https://learn.allergyandair.com/allergy-proof-your-windows/