Here's How To Keep Your Office Kitchen Clean

The office kitchen and/or breakroom is often a germ hotspot, full of dirty dishes, food crumbs, used containers and overflowing trash. This space is intended to assist workers in relaxing and reducing stress during their scheduled breaks but is frequently poorly cleaned and maintained. 

Why is it important to keep the office kitchen clean? 

A germ-ridden, untidy kitchen:

• creates an unpleasant working environment that impacts the happiness/morale of staff

• makes a bad impression on visitors/clients who enter your business

• poses health and safety risks from food-borne illnesses/injuries to slipping on wet floors

• may attract pests (cockroaches, ants, mice, etc.)

• leaves workers feeling that management doesn’t care about their wellbeing

• may distract employees and reduce productivity

How can you promote a clean office kitchen?

• Create and encourage a “clean up after yourself” policy: Some employees take a laid-back attitude toward kitchen clean-up, often leaving a mess for someone else to deal with. Keeping the kitchen clean needs to be the responsibility of all those who use the space. Establish the expectation that all users will assist in kitchen upkeep. Talk about kitchen clean-up expectations in staff meetings. Be prepared to approach and encourage those employees who do not abide by the policies. 

• Create an office cleaning checklist: To ensure that everyone does their part to maintain the office kitchen, create and post a daily cleaning checklist. This list ensures that no task is forgotten and that all employees are aware of expectations. The list should include but not necessarily be limited to the following points:

  • Remove personal items (lunch kits, cutlery, wrappings, coffee mugs, etc.)

  • Wash all dishes used and return them to their place of storage.

  • Dispose of any garbage generated. 

  • Wipe all surfaces you had contact with

  • Sweep the floor if debris/crumbs are present

  • Dispose of old and/or expired food items kept in the fridge

• Organize the office kitchen: To assist in keeping the kitchen clean and tidy, provide a designated space for coffee cups, cutlery, plates, towels and dish-cleaning products. This will reduce clutter, prevent items from being misplaced and encourage employees to clean after they use the space.

• Periodically declutter the kitchen returning items to their designated space and disposing of unwanted articles. Encourage employees to place items in their spots on a daily basis.  

• Keep cleaning supplies handy: To encourage employees to clean after usage, make sure the kitchen is stocked with dishcloths, tea towels, spray disinfectant, dish soap, hand soap, garbage bags, cleaning gloves, a large trash can and recycling bins.

• Take out the trash: No amount of encouragement will induce employees to keep the office kitchen clean if the trash is smelly and overflowing. To inspire cleanliness, have the trash removed daily.  

• Occasionally have the office deep cleaned: Even if all workers are relatively good at maintaining the office kitchen, it’s wise to occasionally have the space deep cleaned. This process should include but not necessarily be limited to:

• Emptying the refrigerator of all unclaimed items. 

• Disinfecting refrigerator shelves and replacing items that people want to keep.

• Washing counters with disinfectant.

• Straightening items on the countertop and making the area look presentable.

• Emptying and cleaning the coffee maker and the microwave.

• Emptying trash and recycling receptacles, disinfecting receptacles and replacing liners.

• Washing dirty dishes left in the sink.

• Cleaning sink and faucet with disinfectant.

• Vacuuming and/or sweeping and mopping floors.

• Removing items from cupboards/shelves, disinfecting shelves and items removed, and returning items people want to keep. 

• Washing walls. 

• Hire a commercial cleaning service: No matter how hard your employees work at keeping the office kitchen clean, their time, knowledge and expertise are limited. A professional cleaning company ensures that the kitchen space is kept clean, sanitized and organized. They have the knowledge, products, time and experience to keep your office kitchen shining.  

If you’ve been struggling with an unclean kitchen in your office, it might be time to try some new tactics and consider hiring a commercial cleaning company.

Need help keeping your office kitchen clean? Looking for a commercial cleaning company that will meet your business’ specific needs? 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, office cleaning and post-construction services. Contact us today!