The Science of Office Hygiene: Spotting (and Stopping!) Germs in Their Tracks at Work
Monday, March 11, 2024
Is Your Office Making You Sick?
Most of us spend a good portion of our days in an office environment. Unfortunately, the typical office is a hotbed for germs and bacteria that can cause illness. In fact, studies show that employees take nearly 10 sick days per year on average, costing U.S. businesses over $150 billion annually in lost productivity. And up to 80% of all infections spread at the workplace.
The culprit? Dirty office spaces rife with germs. Desks, keyboards, phones, and other commonly used items can harbor up to 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. Yuck! Even the office air we breathe contains germs that lead to respiratory infections and seasonal flu. Without proper cleaning protocols in place, the average office accumulates more germs by lunchtime than a bathroom does all day.
The good news is with vigilance and preventative measures, we can halt the spread of office germs and maintain a clean, healthy environment. This guide covers the top germ hotspots in offices as well as science-backed cleaning tips, disinfecting solutions, and hygiene habits for keeping illness at bay. With some extra attention and elbow grease, you can stop your office from making you sick. Keep reading to learn more.
Most Germ-Ridden Areas
In an office environment, some areas tend to harbor more germs than others. According to research, the most germ-infested spots are frequently touched surfaces like desks, phones, keyboards, coffee makers, and microwave handles.
Desks in particular can be a hotbed for germs. Workers often eat at their desks, which leads to food particles and spills that can promote bacteria growth. Desks collect dust and are handled frequently, allowing germs to spread through contact. Keyboards and phones can be even worse, since they are touched constantly throughout the day.
Coffee makers and microwave handles are also problematic. Everyone touches these appliances when making their daily coffee or heating up food. This leads to a rapid transfer of germs from hand to appliance. Microwave handles get especially dirty because they are unavoidably touched with unwashed hands.
By being aware of these major germ hotspots, office workers can take steps to keep them cleaner. Targeted disinfecting of desks, phones, keyboards and appliance handles is essential. Hand washing before and after using shared appliances can also help cut down on contagion. Maintaining cleanliness in these high traffic areas is key to promoting good office hygiene.
How Germs Spread
Germs in offices are easily spread through various means. Some of the most common ways germs are transmitted in office environments include:
Surface Contact
Germs can survive on surfaces like desks, keyboards, phones, and door handles for hours or even days. When people touch these contaminated surfaces and then touch their face, eyes, nose or mouth, germs can be transmitted. High-touch surfaces that multiple people come in contact with pose the highest risk for spreading germs via surface contact.
Airborne Droplets
Viruses and bacteria can spread through the air in tiny respiratory droplets that are expelled when sick individuals cough, sneeze or talk. These airborne droplets can then land on surfaces or be inhaled by others, infecting them. Proper face coverings and social distancing can help reduce airborne transmission.
Poor Hygiene
Lack of handwashing after using the restroom or before eating allows germs to easily spread from person to person in shared spaces. Poor hygiene habits like infrequent hand washing, inadequate hand washing techniques, nose picking and nail biting can also contribute to germ transmission in offices.
Effective Cleaning Tips
To keep the office environment clean and germ-free, make sure all employees follow effective disinfecting procedures. This includes:
- Disinfecting desks at least once a day, especially if the desks are shared between employees. Use disinfectant wipes to thoroughly wipe down the entire desk surface, computer keyboards, mouse, and phone.
- Disinfecting phones regularly with sanitizing wipes, especially if the phones are shared. The earpiece and mouthpiece harbor lots of germs from employees' hands and faces.
- Using sanitizing wipes on shared office equipment after each use. This includes copy machines, printers, staplers, hole punches, and other frequently touched equipment. The wipes help remove germs left behind by others.
- Providing hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes in common areas for employees to use throughout the day. Placing them next to shared equipment and in breakrooms encourages proper hand hygiene.
Following routine disinfecting procedures for surfaces and equipment ensures fewer germs spread around the office. Remind staff to use sanitizing wipes multiple times a day to maintain cleanliness.
Proper Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene is critical for reducing the spread of germs in an office environment. Employees should make an effort to wash their hands frequently throughout the day, especially after using the restroom, before eating food, and after coughing or sneezing. Hand washing should involve lathering with soap and scrubbing for at least 20 seconds before rinsing thoroughly with water. This helps remove dirt, grease, and microbes from the skin's surface.
When hand washing facilities are not readily available, employees can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Sanitizers work quickly to kill most germs on hands when rubbed thoroughly into skin until completely dry. However, sanitizers do not remove dirt and grease like hand washing does.
Workers should also try to avoid touching their nose, mouth, eyes, and face during the workday to prevent transferring germs from contaminated surfaces. Coughing or sneezing into the crook of an arm rather than uncovered hands also helps stop the spread. Maintaining proper hand hygiene habits is one of the simplest yet most effective ways that employees can stay healthy and prevent outbreaks in a shared office environment.
Disinfecting Solutions
Maintaining a hygienic office environment requires using effective disinfecting solutions on high-touch surfaces. When selecting disinfectants, look for products approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that are proven to kill illness-causing germs like salmonella, E. coli, and the virus that causes COVID-19.
Many EPA-approved disinfectants contain ingredients like bleach, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide. While these chemical disinfectants are powerful germ killers, some people prefer more natural solutions. Simple mixtures of vinegar, rubbing alcohol, tea tree oil, and other plant-based ingredients can also be effective options.
When mixing your own disinfecting solutions, it's important to use the right proportions of ingredients. Always follow recipes from trusted sources and test mixes on small areas first before widespread use. DIY disinfectants typically need to sit on surfaces for several minutes before wiping to allow the solutions time to kill germs. Proper ventilation is also key when working with strong fumes.
Whether using commercial disinfectants or natural DIY solutions, applying them correctly is critical. Disinfectants should be sprayed or wiped thoroughly on high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, keyboards, telephones, and countertops. Following the product instructions for application methods and dwelling times is essential for eliminating germs. Consistently using effective disinfecting solutions is key to maintaining cleanliness.
Air Quality
Indoor air quality is a major but often overlooked factor in office cleanliness. Poor air quality not only allows germs to circulate freely, it can cause health issues ranging from headaches and fatigue to serious respiratory conditions. There are several ways to improve air quality in your office:
- Open Windows - Bringing in fresh outdoor air through open windows can help dilute and remove contaminants. Even just 10-15 minutes per day can make a difference. Consider opening windows first thing in the morning or on nice weather days.
- Filtration Systems - Investing in a high-quality air filtration system will continuously remove airborne germs, allergens, and pollutants. Look for HEPA filters or UV germicidal irradiation systems which are proven to capture microscopic particles. Make sure filters are changed regularly.
- Plants - Adding leafy green plants throughout an office space naturally improves air quality. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. They also filter out airborne chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene. Choose hardy varieties like pothos, peace lilies, aloe vera, and snake plants.
Maintaining clean indoor air should be part of any office wellness initiative. It reduces illness, absenteeism, and burnout while boosting productivity. With simple solutions like opening windows, using air filters, and adding plants, you can breathe easier knowing your office air is fresh and contaminant-free.
Cleaning Schedule
To maintain a hygienic office environment, cleaning tasks should be performed on a regular basis. Here is an effective cleaning schedule:
Daily
- Empty trash cans and replace liners
- Vacuum high-traffic areas
- Disinfect commonly touched surfaces like doorknobs, countertops, desks, keyboards, etc. Use an EPA-approved disinfectant.
- Clean sinks and wipe down faucets
- Refill hand sanitizer dispensers and soap at sinks
- Disinfect shared office equipment like printers, staplers, hole punches, etc.
Weekly
- Dust surfaces, window ledges, and baseboards
- Vacuum entire office space, including under desks
- Disinfect phones, headsets, and other shared gadgets
- Spot clean walls, doors, and partitions
- Vacuum upholstered furniture
Monthly
- Dust blinds, windowsills, and light fixtures
- Vacuum/clean air vents and radiators
- Vacuum/sweep floors thoroughly, getting into corners and edges
- Clean inside microwaves and refrigerators
- Shampoo office carpets and rugs
Following this cleaning routine will help control germs in the office and provide a sanitary environment for employees. Be sure to also have cleaning supplies readily available.
Employee Responsibility
While office cleaners tackle common areas, individual employees also have an important role to play in maintaining a sanitary workspace. Each person should take responsibility for keeping their own desk space clean. At a minimum, staff should:
- Wipe down their desk, keyboard, phone and other items daily
- Disinfect their workspace thoroughly each week
- Avoid clutter such as stacks of paper that can harbor germs
- Keep personal items in enclosed containers or drawers
- Follow all company guidelines on cleaning, disinfecting and reporting illnesses
- Use hand sanitizer and wash hands frequently
- Sanitize shared equipment like printers after each use
- Refrain from coming to work when sick to prevent the spread of illness
By making cleanliness part of the regular routine, each employee contributes to promoting good health. A collective commitment to following hygienic practices creates a professional and healthy environment.
Keeping an office space clean is crucial for employee health and productivity.
As we've discussed, desks, keyboards, phones, and door handles are some of the top areas harboring germs in an office. These germs can spread through surface contact, droplets in the air, and poor hand hygiene.
Implementing routine cleaning protocols using EPA-approved disinfectants can help reduce the presence of illness-causing germs. Be sure to clean not just horizontal surfaces, but vertical spaces and air vents as well. Emphasize proper handwashing technique among employees, and provide hand sanitizer for added protection.
A clean office space promotes wellness, minimizes absenteeism, and sets the stage for employees to do their best work. Though keeping things sanitized requires some time and effort, it's a small investment that pays off through healthier, happier staff. As a leader, be sure you're modeling expected behaviors and providing the necessary resources to maintain cleanliness. With some diligence, we can cultivate offices where people are proud to work.
Limpieza Brillante
Cleaning Services
A brilliant clean every time!
Limpieza Brillante Cleaning Services
Serving Katy, TX and Surrounding Areas