How to Keep the Winter Mess out of your Workplace
Winter is here bringing sparkling snowfall, boots crunching on snow, blue-grey skies and fresh spruce-scented air! If you’re an office or facility manager, keeping your space clean during cold weather can take some time and effort.
Winter is here bringing sparkling snowfall, boots crunching on snow, blue-grey skies and fresh pine-scented air! With it comes road salt, melting snow and closed windows, all creating problems for your office. If you’re an office or facility manager, keeping your space clean during cold weather can take some time and effort. The following are some tips for keeping the winter mess out of your office, making sure your space is clean, fresh and welcoming.
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Strategically place mats: Prevent slipping and the spread of mud, salt, debris and water by putting down heavy-duty anti-slip, waterproof mats at all entrances. Keep the rugs on a set rotation. While one is soaking up incoming slush, a second dry mat can be waiting in the wings to switch out. Ask your commercial cleaner to monitor and replace mats when needed.
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Prepare the entrance: To cope with the challenges of winter weather and the mess that migrates indoors, make sure you have the following supplies on hand:
- 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
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Establish a daily routine: Daily vigilance helps keep the office clean and inviting during winter weather.
- Place wet floor signs as soon as people begin to arrive
- Ensure floor mats are dry before employees 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 the mats
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Remove salt: Hard, crusty salt deposits wear away floors and get inside carpets damaging fibres. Use a salt-neutralizing cleaner with a high pH that dissolves salt and grime.
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Pay attention to the parking lot: Keep the parking lot 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. Stock up on sand, ice melt compound and snow shovels. Hire a commercial cleaning company that provides sidewalk and parking lot maintenance services.
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Use green cleaning methods/products: With windows closed and more time spent inside, indoor air quality becomes a concern. Volatile organic compounds can linger in the air causing respiratory issues, headaches and decreased health. Green cleaning methods and products help create better indoor air quality in your office. Speak to your commercial cleaners to make sure they use green cleaning products and vacuum cleaners that capture particulates.
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Consider a day porter: With snow, slush and debris tracking into your space, floors can become unsightly and/or damaged. To make sure floors are mopped frequently, consider hiring a commercial cleaning company that supplies day porter services.
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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.
Keeping the winter mess out of your facility takes time and effort. Let a professional cleaning company maintain your commercial space for the sake of your professional image and employee health and safety. Don’t let the winter weather bring your office down!
Need help keeping your office clean this winter? Looking for a thorough and efficient commercial cleaning company? Call Strathcona Cleaners Ltd at 403-237-8355 or email us at 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!