In the modern corporate space, the significance of well-maintained shared office spaces goes far beyond aesthetics. A clutter-free environment is pivotal in nurturing a positive workplace ambiance that directly influences employee satisfaction and productivity. Here, office managers emerge as champions of change, spearheading the drive toward a culture of cleanliness and organization among colleagues.

An office manager's role is to ensure that office cleanliness and organization are a watchword for every employee. This is especially necessary for shared spaces like the break room and meeting area because they aren’t a specific team member’s responsibility. If you are a tad overwhelmed and need help with office hygiene tips and how to maintain shared office spaces, you have come to the right place.

1. Breakroom Maintenance

A breakroom is a place for employees to sit together, eat, and relax. However, it can get disorganized and become a breeding ground for harmful germs and bacteria. Breakroom maintenance should never be overlooked, and here are a few things you should keep in mind:

• Daily Cleaning Routine:

To maintain a healthy environment, daily breakroom cleaning is essential. Appliances like the coffeemaker and the microwave should be cleaned and sanitized daily. Germs primarily spread in the workplace through physical contact. Therefore, doorknobs, tables, and countertops should be wiped down and sanitized daily. The foosball table knobs should also be cleaned too!

Employees should also be encouraged to clean up after themselves and not leave any mess unattended. Read our post on maintaining kitchen appliances for a more comprehensive guide.

• Refrigerator Organization:

Breakroom refrigerator organization shouldn’t be neglected either. Expired and stale foods in the fridge could lead to a health hazard. Expired or forgotten foods should be cleared from the fridge at the end of the week. 

Blank stickers should be provided for employees to label their food. Predated stickers should also be provided so that you can know the day a food container was put in the fridge. 

• Decluttering and Stocking Supplies:

When everything is well-organized and has its place, things are likely to be returned to their place after use. However, clutter is inevitable in a shared office space. Cabinets and drawers should be decluttered often, and unused or expired products should be discarded.

Another part of the breakroom supply organization is stocking supplies and keeping them in easily accessible places. Sometimes, the employees might want to clean up after themselves, but the spill could be left unattended if supplies aren’t readily available. Also, consider having an inventory checklist to keep track of all the supplies you have on hand.

2. Meeting Room Organization

The meeting room is where important decisions are made. It needs to be clean and well-organized both for the health and productivity of your employees and to make clients and stakeholders feel at ease.

• Tidying and Disinfecting Surfaces:

Dirty hands on the doorknobs, tables, chairs, and appliances make meeting room surface cleaning necessary. Surfaces should be wiped down with disinfectant wipes or sprays instead of regular surface cleaners to prevent the spread of germs. This should be done before and after meetings by anyone. 

• Cable Management:

Cable organization is vital to prevent clutter and tripping hazards. Wires everywhere can make the meeting room appear disorganized. Keep cables safe and streamlined by using cable clips and sleeves and creating corner raceways to convey the wires to the outlets. Skilled professionals should do this to prevent accidents.

• Presentation Equipment Maintenance:

Presentation equipment such as projectors, screens, and audiovisual equipment needs to be in tip-top shape for a seamless presentation. Meeting room equipment care is therefore necessary. They should be cleaned regularly to avoid damage to the hardware from dust and debris. Foods and liquids of all kinds should be kept far away from them. 

Any complicated equipment should be handled only by members of the technical team. And if any technical issues arise, they should be reported to the technical team immediately to prevent the problem from deteriorating.

3. Reception Area Cleanliness

The reception area is the first place that potential customers come in contact with. A disorganized reception area can send them running for the hills. On the other hand, a welcoming and organized space shows them that you know what you are doing and they can trust you. Reception area cleanliness should never be downplayed in any organization.

• Daily Cleaning Routine:

The reception area’s daily cleaning is a must. You need a positive first impression, so ensure the floors, tables, chairs, and other surfaces are cleaned daily. They must also be disinfected daily to create a healthy environment and prevent the spread of germs. 

Having any foul odors in your reception area sets a bad precedent. Invest in an automatic fragrance dispenser with a scent that is not too strong to create a welcoming environment.

• Reading Material Organization:

Nothing satisfies a potential customer more than having a cozy area to sit and relax while waiting for an appointment. And nothing says cozy more than having a comfortable waiting area and good reading material. 

Organize the reading materials and brochures by topic for an appealing look and easy accessibility. Also, keep different materials on hand so every customer has something for them. Change the books often to spruce things up. 

• Plant Care and Greenery:

Indoor plants and greenery enhance the aesthetic of the reception area, and plant maintenance is needed as no one wants to see dead or shriveled plants. If you couldn’t be bothered with the technicalities of keeping live plants, you could get fake ones instead.

Conclusion

A well-organized and clean work environment makes for productive staff and happy clients. Cleaning shared spaces regularly, as well as disinfecting them, preserves the health of clients and employees. Organizing these spaces enhances your team's productivity and shows customers that they are in safe hands. Cultivate the culture of a clean and organized workplace, and your establishment will thank you for it.

And for your major routine corporate cleaning, the Clean Tu Casa team is here to get it done.