Whether you work at an office, or at home, workspaces are breeding grounds for germs and bacteria. So, it’s important to keep your work space germ free to ensure you stay healthy, happy and motivated. Below we discuss a variety of easy ways to keep your office space clean. If you haven’t cleaned your workspace for a while, then now is the perfect excuse for a spring clean!
Clean off your desk
First things first, de-clutter. We cannot thoroughly clean our workspace without removing the clutter first. Put yourself in a routine of straightening up your notes, pens, folders etc, at the end of each day. Remove papers you no longer need, file the ones you do, and create an organized system on your desk. This way, you will start the next day fresh and organized, which will do wonders for your stress levels too.
Disinfect your desk
You should use some form of a disinfectant spray and wipe down your keyboard, phone, desk and any other work surfaces at your office each day. If you share a workspace, then you probably want to clean in between each shift, especially during cold and flu season. It’s most important you don’t forget about the inside cabinets and drawers, they need attention too! Clean them out at least once a month, and again, use disinfectant spray. Just spray it on, let it sit for a couple of minutes, then wipe away with a paper towel.
Wash your hands and use hand gels regularly
Germs are easily spread via a single touch. So, it’s important to watch what you touch. It’s a vicious cycle: if you touch a keyboard filled with germs, then your face, you increase your risk of spreading germs to yourself, then others. Keep your hands away from your face, and use hand gel when handling new things, and before you shake hands, or handle any form of food etc. It’s a good idea to pop some hand sanitiser on throughout the day, to ensure you are keeping on top of any germs building up.
Take extra precautions if you are already ill
If you work from home, then it’s easier to isolate yourself when sick. However, if your office is situated in a workspace filled with other colleagues, then it’s important to take all the steps you can to avoid spreading your germs. If you can, work from home, or take the time off. It will be easier for you to recover too. However, if it’s imperative you attend work then use tissues regularly, wash your hands more often, use hand gels often and disinfect your keyboard, laptop, phone, pens, etc. more often.
Avoid sharing personal utensils
The majority of us use personal items at work, such as our favorite cups or mugs for our drinks. It’s important to use your own utensils and avoid sharing them with others to prevent the spread of germs. Or, if you really must share, make sure they are thoroughly cleaned before and after use. Furthermore, keep in mind that your office “kitchen” area is a shared space, which is basically a hotspot for germs, so ensure you wash your utensils after use and store them in a clean place.
If you need to stock up on cleaning products for your workspace, such as disinfectants, sanitizer, and wipes amongst other items, then now is the time to do so! Follow these tips and you will have a germ-free workspace and reduce your risk of falling ill when at work.
