Common Cleaning Mistakes You Can Make at Work

Cleaning seems simple. But if you don't do it correctly, your business could suffer. If you're a DIY office cleaner, take a look at common cleaning mistakes you might make and why you need to let a professional commercial cleaning company take over the dirty work for you.

The Wrong Products

What are the best cleaning products to use for your office? If the answer to this question is whatever is on sale or you aren't sure, you likely need a professional. The type of cleaning product your business needs depends on several factors. These include:

• The surface or material. Avoid all-purpose cleaners that claim to do it all. You need specialized cleaners made for specific surfaces (such as tile, granite, or wood) as well as fibers and materials (such as carpets, curtains, or upholstery).

• The degree of mess/soil. How soiled does your business get? Some cleaners are for light-duty use, while others work better for heavy traffic or intense debris.

• The green factor. If nontoxic, natural, or green cleaning is important to you, a professional can choose the right products for each type of surface.

• The type of business. Some offices have minor messes, while other businesses require serious sterilization. If you own or work in an educational or healthcare-related business, you need a professional who understands the unique needs of these environments.

Not only will a commercial cleaning company choose the right products for your business but they'll likely bring the cleaners with them. This reduces your overhead and saves you in shopping time.

The Missed Microscopic Mess

Your workplace may look clean or seem debris-free. But that doesn't mean microorganisms don’t linger on hard and soft surfaces. Cleaning microorganisms completely takes time, effort, and expertise.

According to the Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, samples from middle and high school classroom desks revealed that only half the bacteria and fungi were cleared 30 minutes after cleaning. Two to three days later, microorganisms reappeared in levels equaling what was found prior to cleaning.

Common categories of microscopic organisms found in public places (such as schools, healthcare settings, offices, and retail spaces) include:

• Bacteria. Bacterial contaminants can range from microorganisms that cause common illnesses such as strep throat to more serious strains such as E. coli.  

• Viruses. These may include the microorganisms that cause the common cold, chickenpox, or the flu. Some viruses, such as the flu, can live up to 48 hours on hard surfaces, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Fungi. While mold growth is obvious to the naked eye, some fungal contaminants are not. Even though a surface may appear clean, microscopic fungi (or fungal spores) can be present.

A commercial cleaning company has the experience and expertise to correctly sanitize your business' space. This decreases the presence of microorganisms, stops the spread of disease, and may help to boost productivity or lost sick day hours.

The Aggressive Approach

Given the prevalence of dirt, debris, and microorganisms in the workplace, cleaning aggressively might seem like the best approach to take. Even though a good scrub can reduce the risks associated with a dirty or germ-filled business space, it can also:

• Wear surfaces prematurely. Aggressive or over-cleaning can wear down visible surfaces, reducing the overall aesthetic of your business.

• Cause damage. One aggressive scrub with the wrong abrasive cleaner can permanently damage silicate tile, tabletops, or counters.

• Cause fading. Over-cleaning or cleaning in a harsh way can remove color from some surfaces, leaving behind a faded mess.

Commercial cleaning professionals understand the nature of different surfaces and how to remove debris or microorganisms without causing damage. If you're concerned about over-cleaning or don't know if your approach is too aggressive, an expert can find the right balance.

Do you make cleaning mistakes regularly? Do you need a professional cleaner for your business? Contact Janitorial Services Atlanta for more information.