The Office Deep Clean Checklist

Why is deep cleaning your office import?

While a sanitary and hygienic workplace is always essential for the health, wellbeing and productivity of its occupants, now more than ever, the omnipresent threat of the Coronavirus highlights the importance of a regular and thorough cleaning plan for the whole workplace.

A deep clean is so much more than sweeping crumbs to the side and wiping the dust off your keyboard, but can also be a slightly daunting prospect.

The checklists provided below give a succinct and thorough guide on how to keep your office as clean and safe an environment possible, thereby making it more enjoyable for all to use.

Before you start your deep office clean, you’ll need at least the following items:

• A dusting cloth/microfibre
• Surface cleaner/disinfectant
• Bleach
• A toilet scrubbing brush
• Rubber gloves
• A vacuum cleaner/small brush
• A mop and bucket

Cleaning your personal space

Cleaning your own personal desk space is perhaps one of the trickiest parts of an office clean. As it gets so much constant use, it gets both dirty and messy very quickly. However, with some simple steps, you’ll soon see that it’s not as hard as it seems. 

Once you have your cleaning kit together, you can get started on the task at hand:

1. Tidy up. Get all of your paperwork and sticky notes back into files and draws, dirty cups back in the kitchen – anything that doesn’t need to be on your desk should go.
2. Vacuum or brush. Clear any small bits of dirt and dust away. Do this before you spray with disinfectants or cleaning products, as small bits left behind will make a soggy mess, which is unnecessary.
3. Dust. Using your cloth, wipe away any remaining dust, being sure to get in all the gaps you might miss, behind monitors and in little cracks.
4. Disinfect. Now it’s time to spray your products and disinfectants, killing any germs and clearing the more resistant spots of dirt that might still be around.
5. Rearrange. Now that everything is clean, you can put things back where you like them, with your stapler in its proper spot and your keyboard at the right angle. Isn’t that better?

Cleaning meeting rooms and entrance ways

Meeting rooms and entrance ways are the first and main elements of your establishment that clients and visitors will see.

Even when there isn’t a pandemic to consider, you’ll want them to be spotless, to give the best impression you possibly can. With Coronavirus, it’s even more important that these areas are deep cleaned regularly, which with the following checklist will soon become clear:

1. Vacuum or mop. Unlike your desk, meeting rooms and entrance ways shouldn’t be cluttered. They should be totally clear, meaning you can get straight down to hoovering, or mopping if the floors are tile, vinyl, or some other hard surface.
2. Dust. You’ll want to do this regularly, staying on top of it means there’s less to do each time. Dust every surface, even higher ledges like door frames. This is your office’s pride and joy remember!
3. Disinfect. Spray your products, especially on all surfaces that people might contact, including doors, tables, and chairs, making sure to leave no spot untouched. Wipe them down, being careful not to leave any product remaining – you don’t want to spoil any wood or leave smears.
4. Finish. Add some finishing touches. This might be some discreet flowers, a reed incense holder, anything to show visitors and clients that you care. Then, you’re done!

Cleaning the kitchen

Cleaning the kitchen, unsurprisingly, requires constant attention. Any environment used to prepare drinks and food is bound to see spills and crumbs, and it’s vital that you stay on top of it. Luckily, most kitchen areas have been designed to be easy to clean, so it shouldn’t be an issue if you follow the steps:

1. Load the dishwasher/fill the sink. Put all dirty cutlery, cups and plates in the dishwasher or sink, whichever you have, and clean them. While the dishwasher is going, you can get on with the rest.
2. Go through the cupboards and fridge. It’s easy to forget old bits of food on the back of shelves, but it’s not hygienic, and should really be kept on top of. Either throw everything out at the end of the week, or have stickers with dates on them – either way, it’s important to have a system, which everyone knows and sticks to.
3. Disinfect. Once all the surfaces and shelves have been cleared, you can disinfect, making sure to get into all the corners and get over all the surfaces. You’ll probably have to take shelves out of the fridge and cupboards to clean properly. Wipe away any unsightly stains, leaving everything spotless.
4. Restock. Refill sugar, tea, and coffee supplies, and enjoy your lovely clean kitchen!

Cleaning the toilets

The toilets, perhaps even more so than the kitchen, will require daily attention. No one likes using a dirty bathroom, and it needn’t be like that, as long as it’s looked after regularly. The following steps should ensure that it remains spotless and sanitary:

1. Mop. Start with a thorough mopping, using good, powerful products, being sure to get in all the corners, under bins, and anywhere else you might miss.
2. Brush the toilet basin. This is the most unpleasant part, but makes the biggest difference, especially if done regularly. You might want to pour bleach or another product in first, so it can work on the dirt before you start scrubbing.
3. Restock toilet paper and soap. There’s nothing worse than going to the toilet and finding no paper or soap to wash your hands, so make sure supplies are always well stocked.
4. Finish up. Add a perfume or vase of flowers to make it a more pleasant environment, and you’re all done!

How SMC can help you in your deep cleaning journey

Deep cleaning is essential, but is also time consuming and requires a meticulous eye for detail. SMC can help you with your deep cleans, bringing experience, our highly trained teams, and high-tech cleaning methods, such as advanced fogging and scouring, to provide you with the spotless work environment you need.

Now more than ever with Coronavirus, deep cleans are by no means merely cosmetic, but are essential to ensure that every part of your office remains clean and sanitary, for the health and wellbeing of all.