Improve the indoor air quality in your clean office space by following these office space cleaning tips.
1. Change/Maintain HVAC Filters
Clean, high-quality HVAC filters clean the air while the unit is running. Most facilities are equipped with HVAC units to help ensure clean offices. This means you are always able to work in comfort, no matter what the season.
Are your HVAC units serviced regularly for optimal functioning? HVAC filters clean dust and other particles from the air throughout the year. Because of this, it is important to change filters and inspect the unit on a regular schedule, every three to six months.
Doing so is important not only for clean air but also for:
- The proper function of the HVAC units and to ensure the maximum life of the equipment.
- Prevention of dust and dirt particles from recirculating in the clean office space
- Reducing the electricity bill. When the unit does not work overtime to maintain the desired temperature, you save on utility bills.
Changing the filters is a hassle but the benefits far outweigh the time spent doing so.
2. Do NOT Use a Feather Duster to Dust
Feather dusters have been around a long time. But the problem is, they do not do much to remove dust. Sure, the dust will get moved around but most of it goes airborne. To remove dust, use a microfiber towel or a telescopic lambswool duster wrapped with treated dust covers. Vacuum neglected areas with heavy dust buildup when possible.
3. Avoid Sweeping Resilient Floors
Use a HEPA filter vacuum to remove dust from resilient floors. When floors are vacuumed with a HEPA filter, it will remove dust and dander from the facility rather than recirculate it. HEPA filters remove over 99% of microscopic dust and dirt particles. Over time, this procedure removes microscopic pollutants the naked eye cannot see. Your sinuses will thank you for this! Sweeping resilient floors with dust mops are not as effective in removing dust from floors. Corners and edges may still have lesser amounts of dust and debris left behind.
Do not let the floor get all the attention. Make sure shelves, desks, and other surfaces are “prepared” to dust by:
- Removing items from desks to allow cleaning of the entire surface
- Schedule the cleaning of these areas on a weekly basis to prevent dust build-up
4. Pitch the Cotton Mops! Mop with Microfiber
Microfiber mops are typically made of polyester and polyamide fibers which have a smaller diameter than a single human hair. This accounts for the ‘micro’ part of the name. Since their introduction as cleaning tools a couple decades ago, they have revolutionized the cleaning industry. These fibers are vastly superior to traditional cleaning mops. Here are some of the advantages they have over their traditional counterparts.
1.Saves water and cleaning agents
These miraculous mops use between 10 and 20 times less water than traditional mops. This is an astounding savings on a resource that is in short supply in some places on earth. In addition, their powerful cleaning properties are such that little if any, cleaning agent needs to be used to really get a surface clean. This makes them more hygienic and much easier to launder after the job is done. Just wring out the dirt with soap and water, and it’s ready to go again!
2. Environmentally friendly
Microfiber mops do not need to be saturated with water or cleaning solvent to be effective. Simple dampness works simply fine. This is not just a benefit during actual cleaning. Because they use far less water than conventional mops and cloths, they help to conserve a natural resource. Over time and in volume, these savings become considerable and benefit the environment.
3. Better cleaning results
One of the biggest benefits of using a microfiber mop is that its tiny fibers attract and hold even the smallest particles of dirt and dander. Conventional mops lack microstructure and are less effective in removing the smaller dust and dirt particles from a surface. The affinity between one microfiber and one particle of dust and dirt is effective because there are many microfibers in the construction of one mop.
5. Avoid or Reduce Fragrances. (Including Air Fresheners and Aerosol Spray Deodorizers)
This article goes into more detail on the concerns with air fresheners:
If restrooms odors are an issue, use disinfectant cleaners (preferably non-perfumed) to kill bacteria. Finding the source of the odor is the first step to getting rid of it. The two most common sources of restroom odors are bacteria and sewer gas. For more information on eliminating restroom odors refer to this article:
6. Avoid Scented Cleaning Chemicals and other Pollutants
You delegate cleaning to an employee or have the help of an outside cleaning service to keep your office clean. Either way, make use of cleaning products that are natural such as:
Certified green cleaning chemicals
Natural, cheaper options such as baking soda and lemon juice.
A professional cleaning service can offer green cleaning options. The benefits associated with green cleaning is that the cleaning chemicals are not loaded with additives and perfumes and introduced to the facility when the office is cleaned. Employees’ allergies are not provoked since the green chemicals are hypoallergenic.
To maintain air quality, you’ll want to end the use of certain pollutants inside the facility that can be introduced by building occupants. Even if you switch to green cleaning, make a point to limit or ban:
- Perfumes
- Cigarette smoke or clothing that has a smoke scent
- Air freshers in individual clean offices or in general common areas of the space
- Scented candles
Avoid these substances in your clean office space to help keep the indoor air clean and improve any problems with allergies.
7. Trap Dirt at ALL Entrance Doors
Use walk-off mats at all entrances of your facility to improve indoor air quality. The mat will prevent excess dirt and grime build-up in the air. The entrance mats will guard against dust and mud that may enter from the outside. In addition to providing a dirt trap, the mat can prevent floor damage from water and other factors.
Walk off mats also serve as a safety tool by helping to prevent slip hazards in wet climates. The mat will catch excess water as the individual enters into the building.
Mats come in all shapes, sizes and applications. Specialty companies can also add a logo to the brand of your company or provide a marketing opportunity. Overall, the best walk off mat is a coarse, ribbed surface or a plush carpeting that will absorb and trap foreign particles.
Square Feat is Here to Handle all your Janitorial Needs!
Please, visit this page to learn more about the cleaning services they provide or to obtain a free no obligation quote for your facility. Square Feat can also be reached at 480-777-0605 to schedule an appointment to survey your facility.
