Keeping an office clean during work hours is really important for both hygiene and productivity. A tidy space helps employees stay focused and feel more comfortable. In busy cities like London, where many offices have high foot traffic, businesses need flexible cleaning solutions that keep things neat without interrupting the workday.
At the office cleaning company ThinkFM in London, they understand how crucial it is to maintain cleanliness while letting people get on with their work. Cleaning during office hours means that messes can be handled right away, keeping the space fresh and sanitary throughout the day. It’s a practical way to prevent dirt and germs from piling up.
By making cleaning part of the daily routine, businesses can ensure their offices not only look good but also support a healthier environment. Regular cleaning helps stop the spread of germs, making it easier for employees to stay well and feel better at work. This constant care really makes a difference.
In this guide, Think FM commercial cleaners will show you how to strike the right balance, so your office stays clean without disrupting the flow of the workday. They’ll share practical tips to keep your space looking great and feeling healthy while letting your team stay focused on what matters.
Understand the challenges of cleaning during work hours
Cleaning during work hours presents unique challenges that require careful planning and coordination. The presence of employees, ongoing tasks, and constant movement around the office can make it difficult to maintain cleanliness without disrupting daily operations. A thoughtful approach is needed to ensure both hygiene and minimal disturbance.
Managing foot traffic and employee movement
High foot traffic and constant employee movement within an office present significant challenges for cleaning staff. In busy workplaces, people are continuously moving between desks, meetings, and communal areas, making it difficult for cleaners to access spaces without causing disruptions. Cleaning during peak hours can hinder productivity and interrupt employees’ focus, which is why careful planning and coordination with office managers are crucial.
To minimise disruption, it’s important to schedule cleaning tasks during periods of low activity, such as when employees are in meetings or on breaks. For example, communal areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways can be cleaned during lunch hours or late morning breaks, allowing for minimal interaction between cleaning staff and employees. Adjusting cleaning schedules around these quieter periods ensures that necessary tasks are completed without interrupting daily workflows.
Minimising disruption to employees
Cleaning during work hours can be tricky because employees need to stay focused, and any disruptions can throw off their productivity. To make sure the cleaning process doesn’t interfere with work, quieter equipment and smart techniques are used to keep noise and interruptions to a minimum. For instance, vacuums with noise-reduction features are perfect for cleaning carpets without disturbing meetings or calls. This way, the office stays clean without interrupting the flow of the workday.
A helpful approach is to start with less-intrusive areas like break rooms, kitchens, or bathrooms. These are high-traffic spots that can be cleaned during breaks or when fewer people are around. By focusing on these shared spaces first, employees can keep working in their individual spaces without being disturbed. This keeps things tidy while letting everyone stay focused.
The cleaning team also works closely with office managers to find the best times to clean workspaces. Timing it around quieter periods, like during meetings or after lunch breaks, makes sure the process goes smoothly without getting in the way. The staff moves quickly and efficiently, ensuring they don’t spend too much time in any one area, keeping the office clean without being a distraction.
By following these steps, cleaning can happen seamlessly during the workday. The result is a fresh, hygienic office where employees can focus on their tasks without interruptions.
Focus on high-touch areas and common spaces
In any office, high-touch areas and shared spaces are key zones for germs and dirt to accumulate quickly. Regular cleaning and disinfection of these areas during work hours are essential to maintain a healthy and hygienic environment, reducing the spread of illness and improving overall cleanliness.
Prioritise frequently used surfaces
High-touch areas like door handles, desks, light switches, and elevator buttons are breeding grounds for germs and bacteria. These surfaces are constantly touched by multiple people throughout the day, making them key hotspots for the spread of illness in the workplace.
Regular sanitisation of these areas is crucial to maintaining a healthy office environment. Focusing on these high-contact surfaces helps prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria, reducing the risk of employees getting sick and, in turn, decreasing absenteeism.
While commonly touched surfaces like door handles and desks often receive attention, other areas are frequently overlooked. Items such as printer buttons, microwave handles, drawer knobs, and shared equipment like telephones can harbour bacteria and germs if not regularly disinfected. These areas require the same level of attention as more visible surfaces, as neglecting them can lead to gaps in the office’s hygiene routine.
Keep shared spaces clean and tidy
Shared spaces like kitchens, break rooms, and bathrooms see a lot of use and need extra care during the workday. These areas can easily become messy with dirt, spills, and germs since many employees use them. Keeping these spaces clean is important not only for a pleasant office environment but also for the health and wellbeing of everyone.
Kitchens and break rooms tend to gather food crumbs, spills, and clutter, especially after meals. Bathrooms also need regular attention to stay hygienic and comfortable for employees. Cleaning these shared areas frequently helps control germs and reduces the risk of illness spreading. High-touch surfaces like refrigerator handles, coffee machines, and faucets should be sanitised regularly to maintain a healthy office.
Use of eco-friendly cleaning products
In today’s environmentally conscious world, using eco-friendly cleaning products is more important than ever. These products not only reduce the environmental impact of cleaning but also promote a healthier, safer workplace. Implementing green cleaning solutions benefits both the office environment and the wellbeing of employees.
Ensure healthier indoor air quality
As an eco-conscious cleaning company, we prioritise the use of non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaning products to ensure a healthier work environment. Traditional cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, negatively impacting indoor air quality. Over time, poor air quality can lead to respiratory issues, headaches, and other health concerns, especially for employees with allergies, asthma, or chemical sensitivities.
By using eco-friendly, non-toxic products, we significantly reduce the presence of these harmful chemicals, promoting a safer atmosphere for everyone. These green cleaning products are formulated to minimise or eliminate the release of harmful fumes, ensuring that employees can work in a clean environment without being exposed to unpleasant or harmful odours. This is especially important in closed environments like offices, where air circulation may be limited and toxins can linger.
Reduce chemical exposure for employees
Limiting the use of harsh chemicals in office cleaning is essential for creating a safer and more comfortable workspace for employees. Many traditional cleaning agents contain strong chemicals that can leave behind fumes or residues, which may cause irritation, headaches, or allergic reactions. In an office environment, where employees spend hours in a closed space, prolonged exposure to these chemicals can negatively impact health and productivity.
During work hours, it’s particularly important to use low-odour, non-irritating cleaning products. Strong-smelling or abrasive chemicals can distract employees and make the work environment uncomfortable. Eco friendly cleaning agents offer a safer alternative, as they are designed to be gentle yet effective, minimising exposure to toxins while ensuring the office remains clean. These products are formulated to clean and disinfect without releasing harmful fumes, making them ideal for maintaining a fresh, healthy atmosphere during work hours.
By choosing non-toxic and low-odour solutions, we not only protect employees from potential health risks but also ensure that cleaning processes remain unobtrusive. Employees can continue working without disruption or discomfort, which contributes to a more pleasant and productive office environment. This thoughtful approach promotes both health and wellbeing while keeping the workspace clean and safe.
Implement a system for scheduled and reactive cleaning
A structured and flexible cleaning system is essential for maintaining a consistently clean office environment. By implementing both scheduled and reactive cleaning, businesses can ensure that regular cleaning tasks are performed efficiently while also addressing unexpected messes as they arise. This balance helps keep the office tidy and hygienic throughout the workday.
Schedule regular cleaning tasks
Creating a structured cleaning schedule is essential for maintaining a consistently clean and organised office environment. Regular tasks such as vacuuming, surface wiping, and waste disposal should be carefully planned throughout the workday to ensure that the office remains tidy and hygienic without causing disruptions. By establishing a cleaning routine, businesses can prevent the build-up of dirt, dust, and clutter, reducing the need for intensive after-hours cleaning sessions.
A well-structured schedule ensures that essential cleaning tasks are performed at intervals that align with the office’s activity flow. For instance, hoovering can be done during times of low foot traffic, while surface wiping can be scheduled during lunch breaks or meetings, ensuring minimal disruption to employees. Waste disposal, another critical task, can be planned for specific times during the day to keep the office free from clutter and unpleasant odours.
Respond to immediate needs quickly
Cleaning during work hours requires flexibility and the ability to respond quickly to unforeseen messes such as spills, accidents, or other emergencies. These incidents can happen at any time, whether it’s a spilled cup of coffee, food crumbs in a breakroom, or an accidental leak in a restroom.
Having a responsive and adaptable cleaning team in place is essential to ensuring that these issues are addressed promptly, preventing hazards and maintaining a clean, safe office environment.
A flexible cleaning team is equipped to handle such situations immediately, reducing the risk of accidents like slips and falls or the spread of germs. By being present and alert throughout the workday, the team can quickly attend to problem areas without waiting for after-hours cleaning sessions. This rapid response not only prevents potential safety risks but also keeps the workspace looking professional and well-maintained, which is especially important in client-facing offices.
Engage employees in maintaining cleanliness
Maintaining a clean office environment isn’t solely the responsibility of cleaning staff; employees also play a key role in keeping their workspace tidy. Encouraging employees to take ownership of their personal and shared spaces fosters a culture of cleanliness that benefits everyone. By engaging employees in small, manageable tasks, businesses can ensure a cleaner, more organised office, enhancing both productivity and morale.
Encourage employees to keep personal spaces tidy
A collaborative approach to office cleanliness is crucial in maintaining a productive and healthy work environment. While professional cleaning services handle the more intensive tasks, encouraging employees to keep their personal workspaces tidy can make a significant difference in the overall cleanliness of the office. When employees take responsibility for their own areas, such as organising their desks, wiping down surfaces, and disposing of their waste, it not only helps maintain cleanliness but also fosters a sense of ownership and pride in the workspace.
Employees can also be encouraged to keep shared spaces clean after use, such as wiping down kitchen counters, properly storing food, or ensuring meeting rooms are left organised after meetings. This proactive participation ensures that clutter and messes don’t accumulate throughout the day, making the office more pleasant and functional for everyone.
Foster a clean-workplace culture
Promoting a neat and tidy workplace culture benefits everyone by creating a healthier, more productive office environment. When employees are conscious of cleanliness, it reduces the burden on cleaning staff and ensures the office remains tidy throughout the day. A clean office not only improves the overall atmosphere but also enhances productivity, as clutter and messes can cause distractions and reduce efficiency. Encouraging cleanliness fosters a sense of pride among employees, making them feel more responsible for their environment.
To foster this culture, businesses can incentivise cleanliness in several ways. One effective strategy is to create friendly competitions or reward systems, where employees or teams are recognised for maintaining the tidiest workspace. Rewards can range from small incentives, like gift cards, to public acknowledgment in team meetings. Another approach is to schedule periodic “clean-up” days, where everyone pitches in to keep their desks neat, shared spaces, or even digital files.
Conclusion
Maintaining a clean office environment during work hours is crucial for ensuring both health and productivity. The office cleaning company ThinkFM in London provides flexible, efficient, and eco-friendly services tailored to fit seamlessly into a busy office schedule without causing disruptions. By focusing on high-touch areas, shared spaces, and quick responses to immediate needs, they help create a healthier workspace.
