A survey released by the by the Soap and Detergent Association states that it’s a statistical fact most American workers neither wash their hands often enough or long enough—an easily observable fact if you’ve spent any time standing in line, waiting for the restroom. Recently washed hands just look…well, recently washed.
There’s no argument that hand washing (at least five times a day, no kidding, with soap for at least fifteen seconds, still no kidding) is the first line of defense in the battle against spreading germs and bacteria. The second line of defense, however, is to make sure the office equipment, from the fax to the mouse on the intern’s desk, is cleaned until it squeaks. Also a statistical fact, office equipment is a leading contributor to the spread of germs and bacteria.
So, how does your office cleaning business help your client eliminate dust and grime and reach the Nirvana of remarkably clean office equipment?
Get rid of the dust.
Surprisingly, dust is a key offender when it comes to keeping office equipment clean and germ free. Dust sneaks in on the soles of shoes and spreads to every inch of the building. Dust, and its big brother, dirt, carry germs and bacteria, allergens, dust mites, environmental contaminants…the list goes on and on. If allowed to accumulate, dust can clog computer cooling fans and invade the internal workings of printers and such, causing costly repairs. However, the good news is dust can be controlled.
Using a hand-held vacuum with a soft brush attachment on most office equipment (except for easily scratched computer screens!) eliminates the majority of dust and dirt. A wipe down with a damp, soft cloth followed by a polish with a dry, soft cloth, and dust becomes just a memory. It’s important to note, though, when dusting office furniture, never spray water or commercial dusting product directly on the equipment. Liquid can seep in through seams and damage delicate inside. Always spray cleaner only on the cloth.
As most everyone knows, computer screens double as magnets for dust and dirt. These screens also get grimy and covered with fingerprints. It’s important to note that different types of screens require different cleaning solutions, so ask your client to provide you with the manufacturer’s instructions so you can do your job appropriately.
For a simple glass screen, use water or an ordinary commercial glass cleaner. For an LCD screen, which is made of plastic not glass, use an ammonia free glass cleaner or green-cleaning isopropyl alcohol. Unplug the monitor, then using a lint-free cloth, spray the cleaner on the cloth (never on the screen!) and clean the screen in a circular motion. Follow by a polish with a soft dry cloth. Always use soft, static-free cloths when cleaning computer screens, never something harsh like a paper towel. Paper towels can scratch and pit the screen’s surface.
After you’ve removed the dust, go over the office equipment again with a disinfectant wipe to get rid of germs and bacteria, paying special attention to common and frequently used items and areas such as keyboards and computer mice, on/off buttons on printers and faxes, telephone buttons and handsets (especially the mouthpiece), desktops, door knobs, handles, switch plates, lamps, pen/pencil holders, remote controls, and so on.
And if you really want to make a name for your office cleaning service, hand out small packs of disinfectant as your business card, and maybe a simple sign about proper hand washing to post in the bathroom. The boss of all those wonderfully healthy employees will thank you.