9 Ways to Keep Your Workspace Clean and Hygienic

Most of us have had to quickly adjust to a new way of working after offices closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote working has many benefits, with people ditching morning commutes and enjoying more flexibility. But, without the office, we have also had to ensure we have a suitable workspace at home. This doesn’t just include investing in new office furniture, but also keeping our workspace tidy and organised. In this article, we look at some quick tips to keep your home office clean, so you can remain happy and productive at work. 

1. Regularly clean your keyboard

Keyboards can get very dirty if they are not cleaned regularly. Cleaning them isn’t always easy though, as getting between the keys can be a bit of a challenge. We recommend shutting down your laptop or computer and unplugging the keyboard. Begin by shaking it upside down and gently over a bin to help get rid of the crumbs and debris. To clean away dust, use compressed air. You can buy cans of compressed air from most supply shops. Finally, use cotton swabs and isopropyl alcohol to clean between the keys.

2. Clean your screen

All IT equipment can harbour bacteria. Whether you use a laptop or a computer monitor, it’s important to keep it clean. Turn everything off and start by moving your monitor so you can wipe the surface it stands on. We recommend using a damp microfibre cleaning cloth for your monitor. Gently wipe the screen and be careful not to leave any scratches. Never use cleaning fluids, wax or chemicals for monitors or laptop screens.

3. Clean and disinfect other IT equipment

Other equipment like phones, printers and speakers are often overlooked when it’s time for a clean, but these are all used regularly and can pick up bacteria. Simple sanitising wipes can be used to wipe down your IT equipment, but we recommend every so often you give everything a deep clean to help maintain a good level of hygiene in your home office. Disinfectant is another good way of killing any bacteria and germs.

4. Clean the floor

The floor takes a real beating when it comes to hygiene, especially in high traffic spaces. Dust, bacteria and lots of possible germs can be trodden in from the outside world or come from food and drink spillages. A deep clean with bleach is the most effective method of cleaning hard surfaces if you have a wooden floor. For carpets, it might be worth getting them steam cleaned.

5. Dust and clean your desk

Give your desk a regular wipe down using a dry lint-free cloth to remove dust and dirt. Keeping your IT equipment and the floor clean is one of the best ways to keep your desk hygienic. Hoovering the carpets under your desk and avoiding spillages is the best ways to keep your desk dust and stain free.

6. Don’t eat at your desk

An easy way to keep your workspace clean is to avoid eating at your desk. It’s good to take a break from your desk anyway, and having a designated place for lunch will stop you from finding crumbs in your keyboard.

7. Move to a paperless office

In general, you want to keep your home working space free of clutter. This will instantly make it feel tidier and more organised. One of the best ways to do this is by creating a paperless office. Avoid printing emails, forms, receipts or other paper transactions; there are a number of apps and programmes that offer alternatives. If you do have to use paper, make sure it’s stored neatly away in a drawer using an organised system. A desk covered in paper will reduce productivity and motivation.

8. Use air fresheners

This is an effortless way to make your office feel clean and hygienic. Use air fresheners on or around your workspace to keep it smelling nice and fresh. It will cover up any lingering odours and create a more positive atmosphere for you to work in. Weather permitting, keeping the windows and doors open will also help with ventilation.

9. Disinfect your office bin

This is another good way of keeping your home office clean which is often neglected. Bins harbour a lot of bacteria and can lead to bad smells, so try to remember to use bleach to disinfect your office bin as often as you can.

Using these quick and easy tips, you will help keep your home office clean and hygienic. A tidy workspace helps with productivity, motivation and morale when working from home, and it doesn’t even need to take up much of your time.