A clean office is essential for productivity, employee well-being, and your company’s professional image.
A cluttered, disorganised workspace can lead to distractions, lower staff morale, and even increased sick days due to poor hygiene. On the other hand, a well-maintained office creates a positive environment where employees can focus, collaborate efficiently, and take pride in their workspace.
Office cleanliness rules and daily habits play a crucial role in keeping everything in order, alongside professional green cleaning services that ensure high hygiene standards.
This article outlines the dos and don’ts of office cleanliness, providing clear and practical steps to create a cleaner, healthier, and more organised work environment.
Encourage Hand Washing for Better Hygiene
Proper handwashing is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to reduce the spread of germs.
With 80% of infectious diseases transmitted through touch, maintaining good hand hygiene helps keep your workforce healthy and reduces the risk of illnesses spreading.
Do:
- Install touch-free soap dispensers and energy-efficient hand dryers.
Installing automatic dispensers and energy-efficient hand dryers helps reduce surface contact, making handwashing more hygienic. - Provide clear signage in restrooms and kitchens to remind employees about proper handwashing techniques.
Even though washing hands is a routine task, not everyone follows the correct method. Placing clear, easy-to-read signs in washrooms and kitchen areas serves as a helpful reminder for employees. - Stock eco-friendly soap options to align with green cleaning practices.
Many commercial soaps contain harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin and harm the environment. Providing green cleaning alternatives like biodegradable, non-toxic soaps is better for employee health and the planet.
Don’t:
- Neglect high-touch areas such as taps, handles, and soap dispensers during cleaning routines.
Even if employees wash their hands properly, they will still come into contact with taps and door handles afterward. These surfaces must be disinfected regularly to prevent bacteria buildup and maintain office cleanliness. Overlooking these areas increases the risk of cross-contamination, undoing the benefits of proper handwashing. - Rely solely on hand sanitisers; washing with soap and water is more effective.
Hand sanitisers are useful for reducing germs on the go, but they do not remove dirt or grease. Washing hands with soap and water is always the best option for maintaining hygiene in your office.
Maintain a Tidy Office Kitchen
The office kitchen is a shared space that can easily become a mess if employees don’t take responsibility for keeping it clean.
Without office cleanliness rules, dirty dishes, food spills, and overflowing bins can make the space unhygienic and uninviting.
Establishing clear cleaning routines and encouraging employees to clean up after themselves helps maintain a well-organised and hygienic kitchen area.
Do:
- Create a cleaning rota to assign clear responsibilities for kitchen tasks.
A structured cleaning rota ensures that duties are evenly distributed among staff. Tasks like wiping down counters, taking out the rubbish, and cleaning the fridge should be scheduled regularly. - Encourage staff to declutter the kitchen by regularly removing out-of-date food from the fridge.
Spoiled food not only causes bad odours but can also pose a health hazard. Employees should be encouraged to check and remove expired food items at least once a week. A designated "end-of-week fridge clear-out" policy is often a good idea to help keep your office kitchen fresh and clean. - Provide separate bins for recyclables and food waste to support eco-friendly cleaning practices.
This can help ensure that recyclables, general waste, and food scraps are disposed of properly - reducing landfill waste.
Don’t:
- Let bins overflow or leave dirty dishes unattended.
A sink full of unwashed dishes and overflowing rubbish bins can make the office kitchen feel unhygienic and unpleasant. Employees should be reminded to clean up after themselves and avoid leaving food waste or dirty utensils behind. - Skip regular deep cleaning of shared appliances like microwaves and refrigerators.
While daily wipe-downs help, shared appliances need deeper cleaning to remove food spills, bacteria, and odours. A regular deep-cleaning schedule with a professional cleaning partner should be in place to ensure office cleanliness is consistently maintained.
Empty Bins Daily
Overflowing or neglected waste bins can lead to unpleasant smells, attract pests, and create an unhygienic work environment.
Proper waste management is essential for a clean and organised workspace.
Do:
- Empty waste bins daily, especially if they contain food waste.
Even if a bin isn’t full, perishable waste should always be removed at the end of the workday. This prevents bacteria buildup and ensures your office stays fresh and hygienic. - Opt for biodegradable bin liners to support eco-friendly cleaning initiatives.
Standard plastic bin liners take years to decompose, contributing to environmental pollution. Switching to biodegradable or compostable alternatives reduces your office’s impact on the environment.
Don’t:
- Place bins in areas where they obstruct office organisation or workflow.
Poorly placed bins can make workspaces look cluttered and disrupt office efficiency. Ensuring that bins are positioned in accessible yet discreet locations helps maintain a tidy and organised workspace. - Allow perishable waste to remain in bins overnight.
Leaving food waste in bins overnight increases the risk of pests and foul odours. A simple policy of emptying kitchen and communal bins daily ensures a clean and hygienic office environment.
Declutter Office Desks Regularly
A clean workstation improves focus and efficiency.
Cluttered desks can be distracting and make it harder for employees to find what they need.
A clean desk policy helps prevent mess from accumulating and ensures a professional-looking workspace.
Do:
- Schedule regular desk decluttering sessions to encourage employees to organise their workspace.
It’s easy for desks to become cluttered with paperwork, personal items, and unused office supplies. Regular decluttering sessions can help employees stay organised. - Provide storage solutions such as filing cabinets or desk organisers to make decluttering easier.
When employees have designated places to store files, stationery, and other essentials, they are less likely to leave clutter on their desks. Investing in practical storage options such as filing cabinets, drawer organisers, and document trays makes it easier to keep workstations tidy. - Encourage using digital documents rather than paper.
Paper clutter is one of the main culprits of untidy workspaces. Transitioning to digital storage systems reduces reliance on physical documents while supporting eco-friendly cleaning efforts.
Don’t:
- Allow old papers, broken items, or unused electronics to pile up.
Outdated paperwork, broken office supplies, and unused electronics take up valuable space and create unnecessary mess. Employees should be encouraged to dispose of or recycle items they no longer need. - Allow employees to see regular desk cleaning as optional.
Maintaining a clean workstation should be a shared responsibility. Reinforcing the importance of a clean desk policy ensures that employees take ownership of keeping their workspace organised.
Promote Breaks Away from Desks
Encouraging employees to take breaks away from their desks helps maintain office cleanliness while also improving productivity.
Eating or drinking at desks often leads to spills, crumbs, and general untidiness.
Establishing designated break areas ensures that your office remains cleaner and more professional.
Do:
- Encourage employees to use a dedicated dining area during meal breaks.
Having a communal space for breaks prevents food and drink from being consumed at workstations. This minimises spills, stains, and crumbs that can accumulate on keyboards and desks. A well-maintained dining area also fosters social interaction, boosting employee morale and workplace culture. - Provide antibacterial wipes for quick clean-ups if eating at desks is unavoidable.
While taking breaks away from desks is preferable, there are times when employees may need to eat at their workstations. Providing antibacterial wipes allows them to clean up immediately after eating, preventing food residue from attracting germs and pests. - Offer reusable utensils and dishware to reduce single-use plastics and support green cleaning efforts.
Disposable plates, cups, and cutlery contribute significantly to office waste. Encouraging employees to use reusable alternatives aligns with eco-friendly cleaning initiatives while maintaining a cleaner workspace. Providing dishwashing facilities ensures that reusables remain a practical and hygienic solution.
Don’t:
- Allow leftover food or drink containers to accumulate at workstations.
Leaving used coffee cups, snack wrappers, or food packaging on desks creates clutter and hygiene issues. Employees should be encouraged to dispose of food waste and containers immediately after use.
Partner With A Professional Green Cleaning Company
While daily cleaning habits are essential, partnering with a green cleaning company helps ensure that your office meets the highest hygiene standards.
Professional green cleaning services help maintain a safe, sanitary, and environmentally responsible workspace.
Do:
- Collaborate with a cleaning company that prioritises eco-friendly practices.
Choosing a provider that uses non-toxic cleaning products and energy-efficient equipment supports both hygiene and sustainability. Green cleaning methods reduce indoor air pollution, creating a healthier work environment at the same time as helping the environment. - Make sure the company offers tailored cleaning solutions to meet the specific needs of your office environment.
Every office has different cleaning requirements, from daily sanitisation to deep carpet cleaning. A professional green cleaning provider should customise their services to address your office’s unique needs. Tailored cleaning schedules ensure that all areas are maintained effectively without disruption to daily operations.
Don’t:
- Settle for cleaning services that lack sustainable practices or certifications.
Not all cleaning providers prioritise sustainability. If your business values eco-friendly practices, look for certifications such as ISO 14001 which demonstrate that the cleaning company meets the highest environmental standards. - Overlook the importance of combining professional cleaning with daily in-office cleanliness routines.
Green cleaning services should complement—not replace—daily employee cleaning habits. Encouraging employees to maintain clean desks and communal areas ensures that your office stays tidy between professional cleaning sessions.
Get in Touch With Green Facilities Management Today
A clean office enhances productivity, supports employee well-being, and reflects positively on your business.
Partnering with a professional green cleaning company ensures that your workplace meets the highest standards of hygiene while remaining environmentally responsible.
Looking for expert green cleaning services?
Green Facilities provides tailored, eco-friendly cleaning solutions to help keep your office spotless, sustainable, and professional.
Contact us today for a free cleaning needs assessment.