As coronavirus restrictions ease in Maryland, many employees may be returning to the office on at least a part-time basis. To help ease your mind, ServiceMaster of Baltimore has some tips on how often to disinfect your office and the best way to stay healthy as we slowly return to work. Here’s what you need to know to keep your office space, employees, and co-workers healthy.
How Often to Disinfect the Office
Disinfecting is a method of removing bacteria and viruses by killing them with chemicals. To perform a proper disinfection, clean the area to be disinfected with a general cleaner, then use an appropriate disinfecting product. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a list of registered disinfectants, but bleach or a cleaner with at least 70% alcohol will work if other products are not available.
There are no set rules about disinfecting the work environment, but it’s recommended to disinfect frequently used items in a public space, like a refrigerator door handle or break room light switches, after each use. Your own individual work area should be disinfected every day if you are the only one using it, but more often if multiple people are working in the area.
Keeping Your Office Clean
Everyone has a part to play in keeping their area clean. Simply cleaning the area with soap and water or a general household cleaner is all you need to do on a regular basis to remove dirt, grime, and debris from work surfaces. Remember that cleaning does not mean disinfecting, but is the physical removal of dirt from surfaces. Many workplaces have professional cleaning crews to clean common areas, kitchens, and restrooms, which may or may not include disinfecting protocols. Make sure that high-touch surfaces like desks, keyboards, phones, door handles, elevator buttons, and light switches are included in your office cleaning routines.
In addition to daily cleaning, any surface that is visibly soiled needs to be cleaned immediately. It’s a good idea to wear gloves while cleaning to avoid coming into contact with the dirt. While cleaning doesn’t necessarily kill bacteria and viruses, it removes them to lower the number of microorganisms on the surface.
Commercial Cleaning Services in Baltimore
ServiceMaster of Baltimore has over 60 years of experience helping businesses deal with disasters, cleaning jobs, and restoration projects. We can help your business with advanced cleaning and disinfection protocols that fit your needs to keep your office safe and healthy. Please call (410) 498-8030 if we can be of service to you.
