To maintain a healthy work environment, most office buildings should be cleaned at least once daily, with attention given to areas such as restrooms, breakrooms, high-touch surfaces, common areas, and desks.
How Often Should an Office Be Cleaned?
The frequency of cleaning an office building can vary depending on several factors, such as the:
- Size of the building.
- Number of employees.
- Type of business, and;
- Level of foot traffic.
However, as a general rule, most office buildings should be cleaned at least once daily to remove harmful germs and bacteria from surfaces, which studies have shown can rapidly spread if left unchecked.
According to a well-cited study conducted by the University of Arizona researchers;
Conducted in an office on the UA campus, the study included about 80 participants, some of whom received droplets on their hands at the start of a normal work day.
While most of those droplets were plain water, one person unknowingly received a droplet containing artificial viruses mimicking the cold, the flu and a stomach bug.
Employees were instructed to go about their day as usual.
After about four hours, researchers sampled commonly touched surfaces in the office, as well as employees' hands, and found that more than 50 percent of surfaces and employees were infected with at least one of the viruses.
Daily Cleaning Focus
Several areas of an office should typically be cleaned daily to maintain a clean and healthy work environment.
- Restrooms: Restrooms should be cleaned and disinfected daily, including sinks, toilets, urinals, and floors.
- Breakroom or kitchen: Any area where food is prepared or consumed should be cleaned and sanitized daily, including countertops, sinks, and appliances.
- Desks and workstations: Surfaces such as desks, chairs, and keyboards should be wiped down and sanitized daily to prevent the spread of germs.
- High-touch surfaces: High-touch surfaces such as door handles, light switches, and elevator buttons should be cleaned and disinfected frequently throughout the day.
- Common areas: Common areas such as lobbies, hallways, and conference rooms should be cleaned and disinfected daily, including floors, furniture, and other surfaces.
- Trash and recycling: Trash and recycling bins should be emptied and cleaned daily to prevent the buildup of bacteria and odors.
In addition to daily cleaning, some areas of the building may require more frequent attention, such as high-traffic areas that see a lot of use throughout the day.
Day Porter Services
Day porter cleaning services offer several proven advantages to businesses that want to maintain a clean and healthy work environment throughout the day.
- Increased productivity: By keeping the workplace clean and tidy throughout the day, employees are less likely to get sick, reducing absenteeism and increasing productivity.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction: If your business has customer-facing areas, day porter services can help maintain a clean and welcoming environment, improving customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Improved safety: A day porter can address any spills, wet floors, or other hazards immediately, reducing the risk of slips, falls, or other accidents.
- Tailored cleaning solutions: A day porter can provide customized cleaning solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of your business, ensuring that all areas are cleaned and maintained to the highest standards.
- Cost-effective: Day porter services can be more cost-effective than hiring a full-time janitorial staff, as you only pay for the services you need, when you need them.
- Greater flexibility: Day porter services can be scheduled at any time of day, allowing for greater flexibility and minimal disruption to your business operations.
COVID-19 Impact on Occupant Demand
It's important to note that the COVID-19 pandemic has raised awareness of the need for more frequent and thorough cleaning of office buildings to help prevent the spread of the virus.
According to Business Wire;
Back in May, nearly three-quarters of all workers (73%) said their workplace should be cleaned daily, and that opinion was echoed again in December.
Pre-COVID, common daily cleaning protocols relied heavily on chemical products to remove soil, dirt, dust, and organic matter.
While effective, the results were more aesthetic than preventive.
Now, workers are increasingly emphatic that buildings need that extra layer of defense.
Disinfecting takes cleaning to a new level by destroying or deactivating germs, and that distinction is influencing employees’ expectations.
More employees want to see daily cleaning and disinfecting (62% in December vs. 56% in May).
Outsourcing Cleaning Services Improves Businesses Bottom Lines
Outsourcing cleaning services can improve a business's bottom line compared to in-house services in several ways, including:
- Cost savings: Outsourced cleaning services are often more cost-effective than hiring in-house cleaning staff. This is because outsourcing eliminates the need for additional overhead costs such as salaries, benefits, training, and equipment purchases. With outsourcing, businesses only pay for the cleaning services they need, when needed, and at a predetermined price, allowing them to save money in the long run.
- Improved cleaning standards: Outsourced cleaning companies are specialized in their field, with well-trained and experienced staff, and they have access to the latest cleaning equipment and technology. This expertise and access to resources can result in higher quality cleaning standards than an in-house cleaning staff could achieve, which can help maintain a healthier, safer, and more welcoming work environment.
- Reduced liability: Outsourcing cleaning services transfers liability from the business to the service provider. This means that if any accidents or damages occur during cleaning, the cleaning company is responsible for the costs rather than the business. This can provide a significant level of protection to the business's bottom line.
- Increased productivity: Outsourcing cleaning services can allow businesses to focus on their core operations rather than worrying about cleaning tasks. This can increase productivity and efficiency, allowing businesses to allocate their resources more effectively.
Takeaway
Ultimately, the frequency of cleaning for an office building should be based on the specific needs of the business and the level of cleanliness required to maintain a healthy and safe environment for all occupants.
Onboarding and managing the requisite labor and material resources necessary to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness are achieved and maintained may prove cost-prohibitive for many organizations.
Outsourcing is a proven method for onboarding highly in-demand cleaning and disinfection services and experience for a fraction of the price of maintaining a similar service in-house.
If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation on-site assessment of your facility's custodial 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
In Palmdale, CA, or Lancaster, CA, call (661) 371-4756
