Have you ever thought about how the cleanliness of your work environment can affect how you feel and how effective you are at your job? For instance, a cluttered environment can feel make everything feel chaotic and stressful – from the moment you walk into the room. Not being able to find what you’re looking for, feeling overwhelmed by “stuff”, and being distracted by all that surrounds you are just a few of the ways that working in a cluttered environment can sap your mental and emotional energy.
Working in a clean and tidy space, however, has just the opposite effect. It can help you feel relaxed, clear-minded, and able to focus on the task at hand. Plus, having a truly “clean” space means you’ll be less likely to spread germs and get sick, and then pass that sickness on to your co-workers.
If you’ve been working in an environment that’s cluttered, dirty, or in a state of disarray, check out these simple tips to create a more balanced, orderly space.
First, Get Rid of Everything
By “get rid of everything” we don’t mean that you should start piling your stuff in the dumpster.
For a truly clean workspace, you have to start from scratch – and that means removing everything from your desktop, drawers, shelves, and any other surrounding areas and placing it in neat piles on the floor or in another room. With a clean slate to work with, you can take the time to wipe down all surfaces and get rid of the dust bunnies.
Put Everything in Its Place
After you’ve dusted, cleaned, and sanitized your space, you’re ready to start putting things back in place. But first, analyze the layout of your work area. Items that you use every day should be kept close to you for easy access. Items that don’t get used often can be stored in drawers or shelves to keep your desk space clutter-free.
Once your office is cleaned, reorganized, and hopefully decluttered, try to make the best effort to keep it that way! At the end of each day, put items back in their designated spots. Put pens in holders, file loose papers, and return binders to bookshelves. Then, wipe down your desk with a disinfectant wipe to help keep germs at bay. By tidying up every day, it’s easier to maintain a clean, organized space.
Practice “Clean” Habits
One way to maintain a pristine work area and avoid having to spend an inordinate amount of time cleaning every day is to make small changes that can have big effects. For instance, get in the habit of eating somewhere other than your desk. Doing so not only gives you a much-needed mental break but also prevents crumbs from accumulating. Another good idea is to take out the trash daily. This prevents harmful bacteria and bad odors from spreading.
Don’t Forget Common Areas
If your work area has a kitchen, bathroom, or other common spaces, make sure you have a plan to address them. In the kitchen, the sink, microwave, and countertops should be wiped down after each use and sanitized at least once daily. The community refrigerator should be cleaned out and any perishable food should be taken home or discarded at the end of each week.
Keeping the bathrooms clean and sanitized is also a must if you want to protect your employees’ health and reduce the number of sick days in your office. Consider disinfecting sinks and toilets regularly with eco-friendly products that are highly effective against germs and leave no trace of dangerous toxins behind.
Clean Bees Can Help Keep Your Office Space Clean and Tidy
The first step toward keeping your office space clean is to lead by example and work on keeping your desk area clean. Next, you should establish a cleaning schedule to determine who will be responsible for cleaning which areas, and how often. Don’t feel like spending extra time at work just to clean the toilets? We have another option for you.
At Clean Bees, we understand the importance of cleanliness, but even so, staying on top of chores in the workplace is difficult and time-consuming. That’s where we come in. Clean Bees is a Fort Collins-based cleaning company that provides exceptional cleaning services for homes, offices, rentals, and more.
Want a consistently clean work environment where you and your co-workers can be productive instead of worrying about cleaning the clutter? Get in touch with Clean Bees!
