Why You Should Take That Mug Off Your Desk Now!

If you can’t make it through a day at the office without your daily intake of tea or coffee, listen up. Did you know your favourite work mug could be making you ill? To find out the dirty truth about your cup, and why you might want to move it to the kitchen sink immediately, keep reading.   A breeding ground for bacteria   Whether you believe it or not, it’s likely there are a whole host of germs living in your mug. According to research carried out by Charles Gerba, professor of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona, a dirty cup is a breeding ground for bacteria. Gerba’s findings show that up to 90 per cent of the germs in a mug can live for up to three days - even if all that’s left is nothing more than a mere stain at the bottom. While this alone is alarmingly unhygienic, Gerber also discovered that 20 per cent of these germs contain faecal matter. So although you may not consider your unwashed cup to be a huge cause for concern, leaving it to sit on your desk containing the remnants of your last caffeine fix could be a mistake. It may be harbouring more nasty surprises than you think. Bacteria and viruses can be responsible for a plethora of illnesses, including the common cold, coughs and stomach bugs, so to keep your health in check, it’s important that you do what you can to keep your whole workstation, including your favourite cup, as clean as possible.   Keeping germs at bay   To make sure your mug isn’t posing a risk to your health, cleaning it after every use is a must. However, simply giving it a wash in the kitchen sink might not be enough. While you may think a quick rinse is doing the job, reusing the office sponge or scrubbing brush is a big no-no. It’s likely the cleaning tool you’re using is already covered in bacteria, so by wiping your mug with what’s available in the kitchen, you could actually be transferring even more germs.   To ensure your cup is completely germ-free, you might want to reconsider your cleaning technique. Ideally, you should take your mug home with you every day after work so you can wash it thoroughly with your own brush or sponge and hot, soapy water, or better yet, put it in the dishwasher on a high temperature cycle. Although this will require more effort on your part, you can rest assured that your mug isn’t crawling with unwanted bacteria, leaving you to enjoy your morning coffee or afternoon tea break without jeopardising your health. It’s also vital that you keep your workstation clean. From your mouse, to your telephone handset, to the desk surface, you should frequently wipe it down with anti-bacterial wipes, and if you can, you should avoid eating at your workstation too. To keep germs to minimum, it also helps to keep your desk tidy and organised, so you might find it useful to invest in accessories such as a filing tray or under-desk pedestal.   Maintaining a clean, healthy work environment doesn’t have to be difficult. For help finding suitable furniture and storage solutions for your office, you can contact our knowledgeable team members by phone or email.