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breakroom

Tips for Keeping a Clean Break Room

6 months ago

clean break room kitchen at business
clean break room kitchen at business

The breakroom. It’s a space that many businesses provide for employees so they can make and eat their meals, take a break from their busy work day and socialize with their coworkers. However, because many employees are in and out of this space, potentially in a rush to get on to the next thing in their day, the break room is prone to being a messy space within any business. From accumulating food crumbs and spills to old food rotting in the fridge, the breakroom can quickly become a place employees avoid rather than enjoy.

In fact, studies have found that the typical break room is dirty and more germ-ridden than most bathrooms. How could that be? Well, the breakroom is used on a daily basis by many employees just as the restroom, however, it is cleaned and disinfected at a fraction of the time. 

At ROC Commercial Cleaning, we’ve seen breakrooms in the best of shape and in the worst, and as cleaning experts, we are sharing some tips on what you can do to keep your company’s breakroom tidy, healthy, functional and stink-free.

Breakroom Cleaning Tips

Set Expectations

If your breakroom is always a mess, part of the problem could be that it’s just always been that way. If your staff and employees are not expected to clean up after themselves regularly, then the chances are good that some just won’t bother. 

A couple of ways to address this include:

  • Posting clear, friendly guidelines for breakroom etiquette.
  • Establish specific rules like not leaving dirty dishes in the sink, wiping surfaces down after preparing or eating meals, and cleaning up after any spills.

Make expectations clear and distinguish that everyone should share the responsibility of maintaining a clean work environment. You’ll also want to encourage management to lead by example to show the importance of a clean break room.

 

Encourage a “Clean as You Go” Mentality

Relating to setting clear expectations, adopting a clean-as-you-go mentality is the way to address keeping the workplace mess-free. This applies not just to the breakroom but also to office spaces, warehouses, and many other work environments. Picking up any mess you make as you go about your day will prevent bigger messes from building up over time and keep employees positive and productive. 

 

Stock Up on Cleaning Supplies

Another way to make it easy for employees to tidy up after themselves in the breakroom is to provide needed cleaning supplies. Make them easy to use and easily accessible, such as paper towels, multipurpose cleaners and disinfectant wipes. Keeping these items out on the counter rather than tucked away in a drawer will make staff more likely to use them when an inevitable spill happens.

6 Cleaning Tips for a Healthier Workplace

 

Setup a Regular Cleaning Schedule

Although most organizations do not expect your staff to do all of the extensive cleaning tasks such as sweeping, mopping and deep cleaning, setting up a regular breakroom cleaning schedule can make a huge difference. Implementing quick and easy-to-complete tasks on a recurring basis makes a significant difference in how clean your breakroom will be. Things like wiping down the coffee maker every Monday or quickly scrubbing out the sink on Wednesdays keep the breakroom from becoming a mess. Of course, hiring a professional janitorial cleaning provider, such as ROC Commercial Cleaning, is an ideal way to keep your breakroom in tip-top shape.

Related Read: How To Choose The Right Commercial Cleaning Company

 

Address the Fridge Situation

The refrigerator is a common cause of complaint for many businesses and their employees. Whether it’s food going missing or a disturbing aroma when opening the fridge door, setting expectations on communal refrigerator use can alleviate these problems. Establish a plan that works for your staff. Suggest labeling food and setting a designated “clean out” day each week to avoid expired items piling up. If you notice a problem with following these guidelines, post some tips for keeping food organized and remind employees to take home leftovers at the end of the week.

Following these breakroom cleaning tips can help your organization keep things clean in your workplace. But if you are still struggling or just need more support in keeping the other areas of your business clean, hiring a professional commercial cleaning company can help.

If you are in the Minneapolis – St. Paul Twin Cities, ROC Commercial Cleaning is a local professional cleaning partner you can count on. Ready to experience the difference? Contact our team today to get started with our professional cleaning services.

Contact Us Today to Get Started

ROC Commercial Cleaning is your trusted Minneapolis commercial cleaning company. We provide janitor services for office buildings, medical and veterinary clinics, industrial buildings, and more. We also provide floor stripping and waxing, construction cleanup, and office disinfection services. ROC Commercial Cleaning is an experienced and reputable Minnesota corporate cleaning service provider – no job is too big or too small!

Get off the cleaning rollercoaster. Contact ROC Commercial Cleaning at 612-581-2776 for your free, no-obligation estimate.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: breakroom, cleaning, commercial cleaning, janitorial services, office cleaning, professional cleaners, ROC Commercial Cleaning

The Most Common Germ Hotspots in Office Buildings

3 years ago

office germ hotspots

As cold and flu season begins, facility managers should be aware of the most common germ hotspots in their buildings. Ensure those touchpoints are properly and regularly cleaned to avoid employee illnesses and absences.

Here are a few of the germiest places in a typical office, according to WebMD.

office germ hotspots
photo credit: @@cottonbro accessed 10/21/22 via CC0

Common Germ Hotspots in Workplaces and Office Buildings

Elevator Buttons

In busy condo and apartment buildings and high-rise office buildings, elevator buttons are touched frequently. Keep hand sanitizer close by to minimize germs.

Door Handles

Like elevator buttons, door handles are touched frequently. They have a larger surface area, however, and are touched for a longer period. In addition to encouraging hand hygiene, make sure door handles are wiped down and sanitized frequently.

How to Use Disinfectants Safely
woman cleaning office sink

Coffee Maker and Coffee Pot

Bacteria thrives inside the dark, damp interior of a coffee maker, especially when it isn’t cleaned regularly (which is the case in many offices). Further, the handle of the coffee pot is touched by many different employees, but often overlooked during cleaning.

Break Room Sink

Office sinks are a hotspot for bacteria and germs – especially the handle. Ensure both are cleaned and disinfected regularly.

Desktops

Ready for an uncomfortable fact? Desktops have about 400 times more germs than a toilet seat. This is because toilet seats are cleaned regularly – but when was the last time you deep cleaned your desktop? Keyboards and telephones are also common germ hotspots. Ensure that employees have the knowledge and supplies they need to clean their workspaces regularly.

5 Tips for Improving Hygiene in Office Spaces

ROC Cleaning can help you avoid the flu! We provide daily cleaning services for office buildings, retail stores, fitness centers, places of worship, and apartment buildings. Don’t wait until your employees or customers get sick – contact us today!

ROC Commercial Cleaning is your trusted Minneapolis commercial cleaning company. We provide janitorial services for office buildings, medical and veterinary clinics, industrial buildings, and more. We also provide floor stripping and waxing, construction cleanup, and office disinfection services. ROC Commercial Cleaning is a trusted Minnesota corporate cleaning service provider – no job is too big or too small!

Get off the cleaning rollercoaster. Contact ROC Commercial Cleaning at 612-581-2776 for your free, no-obligation estimate.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: breakroom, commercial cleaning, disinfecting, janitorial services, office cleaning, professional cleaners, restrooms

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