Spring cleaning your office or classroom will help remove problematic dust and clutter while providing a deep clean for a healthy and productive work and learning environment.
How to Spring Clean Your Office or Classroom
Over the long and busy winter months, classrooms and office buildings tend to accumulate quite a bit of clutter and dust that can negatively affect the health and productivity of building occupants and make the space unappealing to visitors.
According to a new survey by staffing firm Adecco, a majority of workers (57%) admit to judging a coworker based on the cleanliness of their workspace and nearly half say they have been "appalled" by a dirty office.
With spring in full swing, now is the perfect time to start shedding and shredding the unnecessary and distracting accumulation of boxes and paperwork that can harbor insects or allergens that can be problematic over the summer and through the allergy season.
Further, with the rainy season in the rearview mirror, spring is the perfect time to touch up on worn out walkways, as well as neglected windows and parking lots.
Start With the Desks
Desks are disgusting.
They are covered with germs and bacteria that quickly spread to other parts of the office and make people sick.
Clutter only adds to the problem.
Boxes and paperwork everywhere make things difficult to find, which decreases efficiency and increases stress.
The mess also forces our brains to compete for attention, decreasing productivity even further.
To improve the situation:
- Focus on simplifying your workspace and identify everything that you don't need, then get rid of it.
- Move important paperwork to storage boxes, then have them relocated to a dedicated facility or cabinet.
- Shred, repurpose or recycle all the remaining paperwork.
- Once the desks are cleared, clean and sanitize everything, focusing on keyboards and mice, as well as the area where your hands rest when operating your mouse--all of which are well-documented germ hot spots.
Sunlight and Clean Air
Fresh air and direct sunlight have been shown in numerous studies to improve a building occupants sense of wellbeing and have been correlated with increased productivity and job satisfaction.
- First, clean your windows--nobody likes to work or learn in a dreary environment, and the unfortunate look can turn away prospective customers, especially if there are spiderwebs everywhere.
- Try to ventilate the occupied spaces with natural air flow, especially in the mornings, to remove any odors.
- Have your HVAC ducts serviced and replace the filters, keeping in mind that increased air flow at a comfortable temperature has also been correlated to improved cognitive functions in students and office workers.
Service the Exterior
Lots of rain and consistently cold weather has likely led to some neglect of your parking lot, walkways, walkway matting, and entryways, all of which can lead to issues with pests and rodents, dirt tracked into your office, and a diminished curb appeal.
- Clear up any debris around the dumpsters and sweep out everything.
- Pick up any trash lying around your parking structure and have it blown out professionally.
- Sweep up and clear walkways to prevent injuries.
- Service walkway matting to protect your floors and reduce the volume of dust being tracked into your building or classroom.
- Sweep, mop, scrub, strip, and wax hard floors.
- Vacuum and professionally clean carpets.
References & Resources
- 5 Reasons Why You Need A Clean and Organized Office
- 5 Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Workspace
- Office Spring Cleaning: Top Ways to De-clutter the Office
- 7 Office Spring Cleaning Tips to Boost Productivity, Happiness at Work
- Office spring cleaning–Plan now!
Takeaway
A good spring clean is just the thing you and your staff or students need to improve their mood, health, test scores, and productive output.
While you have the option of employing everyone on your team or in your class to help with the cleanup, chances are they won't be too happy, and the job won't be completed up to any high standard.
Outsourcing your organizations spring cleaning requirements is a cost-effective method for getting the job done quickly, and right the first time with little to no hassle or management overhead, leaving you and your staff or students free to excel in a fresh and healthy facility.
If you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation onsite evaluation of your school or businesses special spring cleaning needs, contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
