Have you ever wondered how clean your office truly is? While you may wipe down your desk or wash your hands regularly, certain areas are touched more often than you realize. These spots are called high touchpoints; they can become germ sources.
Why is it so crucial for the health and safety of your office to clean these high touchpoints?
This guide will discuss the often-used high-touch points in your office, the reasons for frequently cleaning these areas, and methods for maintaining their germ-free condition.
What Are High Touchpoints in an Office?
High touchpoints are products or places of everyday engagement between many different people. These places have a lot of hand contact, so germs and bacteria find it easy to live there.
A few of the most common high touchpoints in a workplace are as follows:
- Door handles
- Light switches
- Keyboards and mice
- Telephones
- Elevator buttons
- Printer and copier buttons
- Breakroom appliances (fridge handles, microwaves)
- Water dispensers
- Office desks and chairs
Think about how often you use these tools in your job and how many more people have touched these same surfaces. Given that bacteria can quickly spread illnesses throughout the workplace, it should not surprise you that these high-touch points can quickly attract infections.
The Health Risks of Unclean High Touchpoints
Understanding high touchpoints can help you realize the risks of frequently ignoring them. Some materials let bacteria and germs linger on surfaces for hours or even days. After a sick person leaves, their germs can stay on a door handle or light switch for a significant period.
Unsanitary high touchpoints can cause the following health hazards:
- Illnesses Spread: Not properly cleansed Touchpoints might spread viruses ranging from the common cold to the flu to possibly COVID-19. This can harm the health and output of many workers.
- Allergies: Dust and allergens can accumulate on high-touch surfaces, triggering allergies in sensitive employees. If you have asthma, sneezing fits, or inflamed eyes, you should avoid a dusty chair or keyboard.
- Decreased Morale: Workers in a neat workplace are more likely to be motivated and comfortable. On the other hand, a disorganized workplace can lead to bad morale, stress, and suffering.
How Often Should High Touchpoints Be Cleaned in Your Workplace
The size of your office, the number of people present, and how frequently these surfaces are touched all affect the frequency with which you clean high touchpoints. However, as a general rule, especially in shared facilities like conference rooms or break rooms, high-touch areas should be cleaned at least once daily, if not more regularly.
For example:
- Daily Cleaning: Regularly wipe down switches, buttons, and handles to prevent bacterial buildup.
- Frequent Cleaning in Common Areas: High-traffic rooms like the bathroom or break room should have surfaces cleaned daily.
Regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces can significantly reduce the danger of diseases spreading in the workplace.
How to Properly Clean High Touchpoints
Saying “clean regularly” is easy, but cleaning the correct method is crucial. Here are some steps you can take to ensure your office’s high-touch areas remain spotless:
- Use Disinfectants: EPA-approved disinfectants can easily destroy germs and insects. Always follow the instructions to ensure you use the disinfectant as the package advises.
- Don’t Forget Hidden Spots: Even though it’s easy to overlook, make sure you clean the bottoms of chairs, armrests, and even the buttons on printers and vending machines.
- Wipe, Don’t Just Spray: While applying a disinfectant and walking away can seem appealing, bacteria can hide in small openings or uneven surfaces. Always clean surfaces thoroughly to ensure total coverage.
- Use Clean Cloths: Never wipe or use the same cloth on multiple surfaces to avoid distributing rather than eradicating germs. Often, switch up your clothes or use throwaway wipes.
- Educate Employees: To help solve the problem, staff workers should clean the personal spaces—desks, phones, keyboards—in which they operate. Sprays or wipes would be more handy if they were readily available anywhere everyone could reach.
The Benefits of a Clean Office Environment
Apart from its aesthetic appeal, a clean office benefits team members and the business in various ways.
- Improved Health: Regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces helps minimize illness transmission, promoting healthier workers and fewer sick days.
- Increased Productivity: A well-kept workplace can boost performance by helping employees feel more at ease and free to focus. Employees are less likely to multitask in a clean and orderly workspace.
- Better First Impressions: A clean workplace can help visitors and customers see your business favorably. Showing that you highly value safety and cleanliness can also help your business’s reputation.
Conclusion
Maintaining a clean office is not just good for appearances; everyone’s health and productivity depend on it. This is true specifically in high-touch areas. Regularly cleaning high touchpoints prevents germs from spreading, enhances mood, and establishes a favorable impression on clients.
If you need a reputable cleaning service, AmeriStar Facility Solutions can help. Our qualified team can keep your office clean.
Want to know more? Visit AmeriStar Facility Solutions to learn about our full range of janitorial services. For daily office cleaning and safety, contact info@ameristarfacilitysolutions.com or phone (570) 675-5525.