Keeping Your Workplace Clean This Autumn
As autumn arrives with its colourful leaves and cooler weather, it can also bring some challenging cleaning tasks into the workplace! Leaf debris, increased moisture, and the start of dreaded cold and flu season make it essential to incorporate effective cleaning strategies. Here are our top autumn cleaning tips for a healthy work environment!
Establish a Cleaning Routine
Start by creating a detailed cleaning schedule tailored to the season. Assign specific tasks and determine how often they should be performed, paying extra attention to high-traffic and employee heavy areas, and shared spaces. These are more prone to accumulating dirt and germs, so they should be cleaned more frequently to ensure a hygienic environment.
Stay Tidy and Declutter
Autumn can bring more clutter into the workplace, with employees carrying umbrellas, coats and wet or muddy shoes. Encourage staff to keep personal items organised by providing storage solutions for weather appropriate items. Regular decluttering of workstations and common areas helps maintain a tidy and efficient workspace.
Encourage Hand Hygiene
As mentioned, cold and flu season is almost upon us, so promoting good hand hygiene is crucial. Make sure you have good supplies of hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes in easily accessible locations. Encourage regular handwashing – this can significantly reduce the spread of germs.
Manage Fallen Leaves
Fallen leaves don’t just create a mess outside! They can blow into your building every time the door is opened and can be trodden through the building on employees’ shoes. If you have a leaf problem, try to keep entryways clear. Regular leaf sweeping and collection might seem like a chore, but the fewer leaves that make their way into your building, the easier cleaning tasks will be inside.
Carpet Cleaning
Cool and damp conditions can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, and this is not good for carpets and upholstery. Schedule a deep clean of these to ensure a sanitised environment. A professional cleaning service can deliver a thorough job, extending the life of your office furnishings.
Seal Windows and Doors
Inspect your building’s windows and doors for gaps or leaks as the cooler weather sets in. Fixing any issues will ensure your workplace stays energy efficient and will prevent drafts and moisture from getting in.
Exterior Maintenance
Don’t neglect the exterior of your workplace. Regularly clean outdoor areas such as carparks and pathways. Remember that those fallen leaves can become a slipping hazard.
Conduct Regular Inspections
Routine inspections are essential to identify and resolve any cleanliness issues promptly. Assign a team or individual to perform these checks, ensuring that standards are consistently upheld.
Consider investing in a professional cleaning service. They will deliver a schedule of cleaning that can be tailored to your needs and those of your business. This will leave you to run your business uninterrupted, whilst your cleaning tasks are handled by professionals with expert knowledge and experience.
Maintaining a clean workplace during autumn requires proactive planning, and implementing these strategies will ensure a safe, productive and inviting environment throughout the season.