Has your temporary work-from-home plan turned into a permanent in-house office? You’re not the only one. Roughly 80 percent of surveyed company leaders say they’ll allow employees to work part-time from home, with 47 percent offering a permanent remote policy. Home offices are here to stay—but without the luxury of a regular janitorial service, things might start to get a little messy. Here are five helpful tips to keep your space clean, tidy and ready for your workday:
1. Create a cleaning schedule task list and budget.
The best way to make sure you’re not caught under a storm of loose papers, pens and sticky notes is to develop regular maintenance habits for your space. Even a daily tidy-up and desk wipe-down can make a big difference. Just as you prepare your list of tasks for the day at work, add in a couple extra items for office cleaning, disinfection and sanitization. Depending on the size of your space, this may take no more than five minutes, but it will make a big difference in the long-term.
2. Plan for daily maintenance on high-touch areas.
As with any area, places of high contact should receive the most attention. This is a principle that can be used to address the sanitization of your entire home! Even if we’re diligently washing our hands and following safety protocol, bacteria can easily travel from our hands to other devices. In terms of an in-home office space, here are a few places you might want to place your focus:
- Kitchen/Lunch Break Areas
- Bathroom
- Desk Space and Computer Equipment
- Door Knobs and Handles
- Filing Cabinets and Storage Structures
- Cellular Device
If you’re worried about getting in every nook and cranny, consider enlisting the help of a professional cleaning services to handle some of the hard-to-reach spaces.
3. Test out new cleaning tools and tech.
If you’re a busy employee just trying to make it through a day of endless meetings and reports, you might not want to take time out of your day to tidy up. For the basics, there are a variety of tech tools worth investing in.
- iRobot Roomba: With options for both hardwood (mopping) and carpet (vacuuming), iRobot has created products that keep your floor clean without ever taking a step. Best home improvement products go through a process of mapping your home, learning each of your home or office spaces, to then create a system of getting the cleaning done.
- Hobot 298: Want to clean your windows, but don’t have the time or the tools? This window cleaning robot can tackle your biggest smudges, without the stress of doing it yourself. A power-cleaning vacuum keeps the tech clings to your window for a no-mess option to improve your views.
- Mila Air Purifier: With 45 ft2 of certified HEPA, a powerful clean air delivery rate (CADR) and an app to manage your air quality, the Mila Air Purifier works overtime to make sure you’re breathing right. Lab tests have shown that by using the product, airborne viruses were significantly diminished over time.
These options may require more up-front investment, but are a perfect solution for the worker who doesn’t want to spend their hours after the meeting on cleaning duty.
4. Purchase the right cleaning solutions for each surface.
Different spaces require different cleaning solutions, and depending on the equipment that you work with, harsh chemicals can damage your space. While general disinfecting wipes are great for a standard desk, wood or marble surfaces often require a special solution. Tech screen from your phone, laptop or monitors can be cleaned with distilled water and microfiber cloths—while the keyboard should get a deep disinfecting cleaning. Take stock of what you’ve got to maintain and be sure to purchase the appropriate products.
If your home has become your office, it’s important to maintain a cleaning schedule to create a good environment that helps you produce your best work! Remember to start small, and don’t be afraid to ask the professionals for help if you need it.
