Having a clean and organized space to work in is essential to being able to focus on your work and be efficient. A structured space to work can be energizing and make you feel more comfortable to be in. Maintaining a clean workspace also creates a healthy work environment for employees and a presentable establishment for visiting clients.
Most people take the time to clean their desk or office but then, after a couple of days, it’s back to the mess and piles of paper that it used to be. Cleaning your office doesn’t have to be that difficult. With these simple tips, keeping a clean work space will not only seem possible but easy, too!
- Use In & Out trays
It can be helpful to have trays for incoming or new mail and a second tray for outgoing mail. This tip can also be helpful to have a tray for new projects, ideas, or proposals from clients or co-workers and a tray for completed projects. This is a great way to not lose mail, proposals, or helpful sheets in the office. It also clearly lets coworkers know what projects are done and what mail the mailman can take for the day.
- Create a filing system
Stacks of paper are the number one clutter-maker in offices! Organize your current projects by setting them in project folders or binders and placing them in a drawer or organizer. Take the time to label each file, place the appropriate papers in them, and store them in an organized drawer or shelf. This will make an incredible reduction in the amount of paper piles on your desk. Prioritize time to organize these papers weekly so you don’t lose anything, forget something, or get overwhelmed by your mess.
- Keep valuables within an arm’s reach
The only items on your desk or in your work area within an arm’s reach should be things you need immediately and use often. This usually includes a monitor, keyboard, telephone, two pens, one notepad, a lamp/light, and one personal item or family picture. These are the essentials when it comes to what needs to be in your immediate work area. All else – boxes of pens, old coffee cups, stacks of paper – should have their own assigned locations.
- Think UP
Sometimes we can’t control how big or small our desks or work spaces are. However, there is always the option to grow your space by building up! Prop your laptop or computer monitor on a stand to allow more open desk surface space or try adding shelves above your desk to provide an area for books and binders that are also within an arm’s reach.
- Daily & Seasonal Cleanings
At the end of each day before you go home or leave for a meeting, take a couple minutes to rearrange your desk, organize papers or folders, throw away trash, and wipe down your workspace. Also, remember that the problem isn’t too much space, it’s too much stuff. When your bookshelf is full and you have more books to add, it’s time to go through them and give some away. When your filing cabinet is overflowing with paperwork, it’s time to defile. At the end of a season (summer, a quarter, Christmas, etc.) get rid of or move papers and supplies that aren’t relevant anymore to storage.
- Avoid Food Messes
It’s easy to get carried away with how much work you have and want to eat lunch at your desk. This can lead to crumbs on the floor and table, grease on your computer, and spilled drinks. If you clean up your workspace after every meal this may not be a problem. However, most people leave a lot of residue over time which can build up and is unsanitary.
- Divide your workspace into zones
It is important to ask yourself, “What do I want from my office space and is it meeting my goals or needs?” After deciding how to split up your office, use furniture, a space divider, or cubicle walls to give more defined areas for each region. Your workspace may need a storage area, department sections, a printer or copy room, etc. Giving each space in your office purpose can help give people direction in their work and be more efficient.
- Actually clean
Dust, germs, and dirt naturally gather over time in any space, especially in an office. If your office doesn’t provide a cleaning service, it’s important to set time aside to clean at least once or twice a week. This includes dusting shelves, desks, picture frames, etc. Floors should be swept and vacuumed several times a week. Take out the trash and recycling. Desks should be wiped with antibacterial wipes to kill off germs and remove crumbs or grease stains. Even though it’s extra work, rearranging office furniture to clean hard to reach spaces is valuable as well. Try pulling couches away from walls or pushing coffee tables to the side to clean less visible spaces.
- Hire a Commercial Cleaning service
If you want to be confident in having a clean work space without having to sacrifice your personal time to clean it, consider hiring a commercial cleaning service. A service will come into the office after 8-5pm business hours so they don’t disturb or interrupt any business during the day. Professional cleaners bring all of the supplies and tools needed so your business won’t have to provide them. This gives your employees more time to focus on the day-to-day business work, rather than maintaining the quality of their working space.
For readers in Northern Colorado, Let It Shine is a great one-stop, high quality commercial cleaner and janitorial services provider. Reach out to us to get a quote for your business or commercial space.
When it comes to having a clean work space it doesn’t have to be as hard as people make it out to be! Remember to stick to these essentials for office tidiness:
- Use In & Out trays
- Create a filing system
- Keep valuables within an arm’s reach
- Think UP
- Daily & Seasonal Cleanings
- Avoid Food Messes
- Divide your workspace into zones
- Actually clean
- Hire a Commercial Cleaning service