Your Guide To Office Cleaning Before Fall

Fall has arrived! Leaves are changing colour, gardens are fading and sweaters have been pulled from the back of the closet. Soon there’ll be winter winds, snow and ice. Though you may not want to think about the upcoming cold, dark months, fall is the time to prepare. Routine cleaning is enough for the warm months of summer but, before you close those windows and doors, deep clean your office and address outdoor cleaning needs. This creates a healthier environment for employees/clients and renews the curb appeal of your building. The following are some tips to get your workplace clean and ready to take on the winter.

• Do an outdoor inspection: Walk around the building and note areas that need cleaning and/or repair. Deal with each concern.Clean gutters and downspouts: Though fall leaves are beautiful, they clog gutters and downspouts causing moisture and mildew problems, rotting wood and leaking roofs. To allow rain and snowmelt to drain properly, inspect and clean gutters in the fall. 
  • Inspect the roof for cracking/loose shingles.
  • Note any areas in which pests (mice, insects, other rodents) may seek winter shelter.
  • Check the foundation for cracks.
  • Inspect windows and doors for broken seals.

• Wash windows: Sparkling, clean windows allow natural light to penetrate. On dark winter days, you’ll want all the sunlight you can get! Clean your office windows to maximize natural illumination. 

• Clean and service the HVAC system: Change the filters to improve air quality and reduce wear on the system. Have ducts cleaned and inspected and remediate any mould growth. 

• Deep clean the floors: Start the winter with floors that are clean and protected by having them stripped, scrubbed and recoated then buffed and/or burnished. 

• Winterize the entryway: To prepare your entry for the onslaught of snow, slush, salt and dirt, set up a boot rack for wet footwear and add extra mats. 

• Power wash siding and walkways to remove grime and stains and refresh the look of your building.

• Undertake parking lot maintenance: Prepare for snow and ice removal: If you’re responsible for sidewalks, walkways and the parking lot, stock up on sand, ice melt compound and snow shovels. Hire a commercial cleaning company that provides sidewalk and parking lot maintenance services.

  • Fill potholes 
  • Seal grooves and cracks
  • Repaint lines
  • Remove debris
  • Sweep
  • Clean garbage receptacles
  • Remove dead plants and tidy planters

• Deep clean the kitchen/breakroom: A deep clean involves cleaning and disinfecting the fridge, pantry shelves, countertops, grout, cupboards, garbage and food bins.

• Clean hard-to-reach places: Clean machines, cords, desks, monitors, keyboards, vents, ledges, ceilings, cabinets, light fixtures, switches, door handles and furniture to remove cobwebs, dust, insect eggs and germs.

• Ensure safety by checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Give bathrooms extra attention:

  • Scrub the grout

  • Soak and clean bathroom fan grills

  • Wash and disinfect garbage cans

  • Clean floor drains

  • Inspect equipment (toilets, urinals, soap and towel dispensers) to ensure good working order

Make sure your office is ready for the cold weather. Enjoy a snug winter! If you need help with deep cleaning, consider hiring a commercial cleaning company. They have the knowledge, skills, experience, tools and products to prepare your workplace for the cold months.