Tips for Winter Workplace Cleaning

Winter is a hard time to keep the office environment inviting. Snow, salt and mud track in. Ice builds up on door frames and window sills. The air becomes dry and stale, encouraging the spread of infectious germs. What can you do to ensure that your office remains hospitable for customers, clients and employees during the long cold winter months?

• Prepare the entrance: To cope with the challenges of winter weather, make sure you have the following supplies at hand:
  • Floor mats
  • Wet floor signs
  • Extra mats for the worst days
  • Dedicated mop and bucket
  • Snow guard on the bottom of the door
  • Snow shovel just outside of the door
  • Salt for the parking lot and walkways 
  • Storage for boots
• Establish a daily routine: Daily vigilance helps keep the office clean and inviting. Remove Salt: Hard, crusty salt deposits wear away hard floors and get inside carpets damaging fibres. Use a salt neutralizing cleaner, one with a high pH that dissolves salt and grime. 
  • Ensure floor mats are dry before employees arrive
  • Place wet floor signs as soon as people begin to arrive
  • Switch out mats when they get overwhelmed
  • Mop the floor as soon as possible after people stop arriving
  • After work hours have ended, wash and dry the floor and replace mats
• Remove Salt: Hard, crusty salt deposits wear away hard floors and get inside carpets damaging fibres. Use a salt neutralizing cleaner, one with a high pH that dissolves salt and grime.
• Pay attention to air quality: Reduced humidity levels in the winter make people more susceptible to respiratory tract irritation and/or illness. Closed doors and windows mean little fresh air is introduced. Good air quality can help combat these problems and make the workplace comfortable for everyone. 
  • Make sure your HVAC systems are effectively maintained and cleaned. Air ducts can harbour hidden dust and debris.
  • Regular and thorough cleaning also helps reduce pollutants. Clean hidden dust on the top of the window frames, mirrors, ceiling fans, etc. 
  • Consider installing an air cleaner and adding plants to the office. Golden pothos, ficus, English ivy and peace lilies are particularly good at removing toxins from the air. Place them in work areas, break rooms and customer areas.
  • Vacuum with equipment outfitted with HEPA filters to clean dust and germs from the air.
  • Use a humidifier.
  • Use non-toxic cleaning products and disinfectants. 
• Pay attention to the parking lot: Keep it as free of snow and ice as possible so dirt and debris won’t track into the office. Ensure paths and sidewalks are cleared of snow and salt is used to protect against falls. 
• Disinfect public areas: Winter is cold and flu season with indoor bacteria counts rising.  
  • Provide hand sanitizer throughout the office for the convenience of visitors and staff. 
  • Undertake regular, thorough cleanings using antibacterial cleaners. 
  • Wipe down door handles, conference tables and chairs, workstations, bathrooms, the break room and other shared spaces on a daily basis. 
• Clean the windows: Making sure the windows are clean allows natural light to penetrate, creating a better air quality in the office, lending an air of cleanliness and boosting employee morale. 
• Hire a professional cleaner: Engaging the services of a professional cleaning company simplifies the process of keeping your office clean in the winter. They have the equipment, products, knowledge and experience to make your workplace cleaner, drier and more comfortable. They’ll also help you present a good image to clients/customers, instilling confidence and trust. 

Don’t let the winter weather bring your office down. Let a professional cleaning company maintain your commercial space for the sake of your professional image and employee health and safety.

Need help keeping your office clean this winter? Call Strathcona Cleaners Ltd at 403-237-8355 or email info@strathconacleaners.com. Our Calgary-based business provides janitorial services to an array of industries. We custom tailor our cleaning and maintenance plans to suit your specific needs. You can even choose non-toxic products and eco-friendly equipment. Depend on us for quality janitorial and office cleaning. Contact us today!