With employees, visitors and guests coming in and going out all day, office buildings can get pretty dirty pretty quickly. Throw in cold and flu season on top of that, and it may just be time for a deep clean.
But what does that include? We’re so glad you asked. While there’s nothing wrong with Lysol wipes and a quick desktop dusting, you can take your cleaning process to the next level with these commercial cleaning tips from the experts. Here are five ways to clean your office building like a pro.
1. Start Up High & Work Your Way Down
When deep cleaning, start at the highest points in the room, such as ceiling trim and fan blades, and work your way down. Not only are these areas typically a little harder to reach and may require step stools, ladders or specialized janitorial tools, but it also means that any dust or debris that falls to the floor will be cleaned at a later step — instead of landing on an already-clean floor. This advice also applies to washing walls and windows. Start at the top corner and work your way down to get the most even clean and avoid leaving streaks.
2. Focus on the Floor
Scuffs, stains, dirt, you name it. The floor can get dirty quickly in an office. Whether you have carpet, tile or hardwood floors, taking the time to disinfect it is an important step in the deep cleaning process. There are several options when it comes to commercial carpet cleaning — including hot water extraction, dry cleaning, carpet shampooing, encapsulation and bonnet cleaning. Selecting the right method has to do with the type of carpet installed and the amount of drying time needed. Floor scrubbers and pressure cleaning wands are ideal for tile and other hard surfaces. And, last but not least, when cleaning hardwood floors be sure to go in the direction of the woodgrain to avoid streaks.
3. Follow a Pattern & Stick to It
Make sure there’s a method to the madness. Whether you’re tackling everyday messes or a particularly challenging stain, a methodical approach will help you stay organized and streak-free. Following a pattern also helps you be more efficient by saving time and resources. When cleaning surfaces, use an “S”-shaped pattern to maximize the area cleaned and minimize the amount of bacteria, viruses and other harmful micro-organisms on the surface. Just be careful to keep moving on to the next section without re-wiping any sections twice.
4. Don’t Skimp on Quality Products
It’s important to use the right products for the job. Whether you’re looking for a broad-spectrum disinfectant for hard surfaces, a deodorizing solution specifically designed for porous materials or anything in between, there’s a wide range of high quality cleaning solutions to choose from. Some solutions are specifically designed for certain materials, such as leather or porcelain, while others target specific types of stains, such as oils or odor-causing bacteria. A professional will also take into consideration the drying time needed, amount of foot traffic, pH level and other steps in the cleaning process to make the selection.
5. Make a Plan & Schedule Regular Cleaning Services
Want to prevent build up so deep cleaning isn’t a massive undertaking? A regular cleaning schedule — including different plans for daily, weekly, monthly and yearly tasks — not only helps you stay on top of cleaning responsibilities but also provides preventative maintenance. The more frequent cleaning schedules, such as daily and weekly, typically include smaller tasks that help keep dirt and grime from accumulating over time. These include things like dusting with a microfiber cloth, wiping down hard surfaces with a disinfectant, light vacuuming and taking out the trash. The less frequent schedules typically include larger tasks that have staying power. For example, a deep carpet cleaning hot water extraction may only be scheduled once or twice a year, depending on the amount of foot traffic. Janitorial service providers will typically offer an ongoing maintenance plan as well as on-call or as-needed services.
Deep cleaning an office building can be a big undertaking, but it’s worth it. Investing in a sanitary workplace helps keep employees safe and healthy, while extending the life of office equipment, furniture and building space. It’s also not something you have to do alone. From routine to heavy duty commercial cleaning services, professional maintenance crews and janitorial staff can offer expert services. At Atex, we take pride in supplying the pros with the best name-brand equipment and cleaning products on the market. We’re here to help if you have any questions.