When 'good enough' isn't good enough: Improving your building’s cleaning efficiency
February 06, 2023
Maintaining a clean workspace is no small task for facility management professionals.
When it comes to maintaining a clean and healthy workplace, there is no such thing as a quiet day at the office for a facility manager. Between the increased cleaning protocols, replenishment of hand sanitizer dispensers, and the steady return to pre-pandemic levels of foot traffic — the workload is piling up. When done right, your facility's cleaning operation should run like a well-oiled machine – meaning anything that disrupts its harmony is a big issue for efficiency.
To help you optimize your cleaning process, we've put together a short list that could make the difference in meeting your cleanliness and sanitation standards this year:
6 tips to maintain a hygienic workplace
1. Be efficient
If optimization is the goal, strategizing is the answer. Recognize where your occupants are most vulnerable, and target these areas first. This approach means prioritizing high-traffic spaces. Also, honing in on hygiene pain points will elevate your efficiency by conserving your resources and using them where they count the most. Achieve this by making a list of germ-prone areas, ensuring they are revisited frequently, such as door handles, bathrooms, buttons etc.
Pro-tip: Dusting should be done more frequently in more populated areas as the high traffic increases dust particles – no matter how considerate your occupants are.
2. Brief facility staff and occupiers on best cleaning practices
Communication is key. Ensure you have a resource (i.e., a sanitation policy document emailed routinely, ample posters distributed around the workplace or a designated individual) available to all staff, with additional reminders in place. Establishing hygiene habits proactively is best, so consider incorporating workplace cleaning standards into onboarding to ensure they understand the expectations. Further, distinguish and communicate what is the janitor's job versus staff cleaning, etc.
3. Establish cleaning goals
What are your standards? How will you know when you have met these standards? Connecting to the previous recommendation, establish and remind all space users of your cleanliness goals. Extending communication to guests and inhabitants of all kinds will not only foster a clean environment, but also reassure your people that their safety is your priority.
4. Make waste bins conveniently located and available
A trash can is only valuable if the people know where to find it and aren't burdened to use it. Understanding our human nature means removing all roadblocks between the human and decency – consider placing trash cans in abundance in all high-traffic areas and at all entrances and exits. Moreover, designate an individual to routinely check the can's status, making sure to change the bag as necessary.
5. Keep cleaning areas clear
Removing obstructions in high-traffic areas is essential when using automated cleaning devices and optimizing working conditions for cleaning staff. Try to remove boxes and other unnecessary objects that may block the cleaner's path promptly to facilitate efficient cleaning.
Pro-tip: Consider implementing shelving in high-traffic areas to designate a place where people can store objects they would otherwise choose to put on the floor to contain the obstruction.
6. Stock and restock supplies
Take pride in your cleaning habits, and stay updated on your cleaning supplies' status. Not only will this avoid leaving the bad impression that follows when sanitizers are left empty, but it can also be an opportunity to be deliberate in the eco-friendly choices your company makes in cleaning products. Alpine Building Maintenance is committed to our environmental and governance obligations. We're always working on initiatives to curb our carbon emissions and reduce the environmental impact of our customers.
Work where the work takes place
In short: People can be messy creatures of habit. Having clear sanitation guidelines and a steady routine helps anyone organize their workplace better, avoid unnecessary maintenance obstacles and, ultimately, helps you optimize your cleaning process. However, if you do find yourself stuck in rut, Alpine Building Maintenance is here to help build a custom cleaning program that fits your facility needs. With a nationwide network of offices — covering urban, regional, and remote areas — there aren't many Canadian communities we don't already support. So click here to get a free estimate, and find out what made some of Canada's most loved grocery brands, banks, global tech giants, government agencies and facility managers trust our pristine touch.