Getting Offices Ready for Summer: Cleaning and Decluttering Tips

Just a few more months and we’ll be done with the cold weather for the year. The upcoming change of seasons justifies a little bit of effort on sprucing up the office and creating and exciting, clean work space.

The average adult spends more time at the office than at home. A nice and welcoming workplace will thus be conductive of productivity and creativity. Maintaining a clean work space is all about selecting the right company for the job and putting a bit of individual effort in it. Here are a few simple tips that will help you get the office ready for summer.
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It’s Time to Go Green

Making the switch to a more environment-friendly office is a particularly good idea for the summer. According to one study, companies that neglect sustainability risk having unhappy workers and low productivity. A few simple steps can result in a much greener work space that just about everyone will enjoy spending time in.

Replace the traditional cleaning supplies and harsh chemicals with environment-friendly alternatives. Luckily, the market already has a wide array of affordable and non-hazardous options to offer.

Consider going paperless. For a start, a paperless office will feature much less clutter. In addition, this decision will have a profound impact on the environment. Statistics show that the average office worker uses the mind-blowing 10,000 sheets of paper per year. What’s even sadder, about 45 percent of the paper printed in an office will end up in the trash bin.

There are multiple systems for digital document storage and sharing, some of these being available free of charge. Apart from reducing clutter and waste, such solutions make it very easy to protect sensitive data, share it with clients and access it from multiple locations that feature internet access.

Switching from standard to energy-efficient light bulbs is another excellent idea for going green this summer.
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Enjoy the View

Clean office windows will create a pleasant ambiance. It’s a great idea to do a thorough window cleaning before the start of the summer season. The spring rains are finally over and the spotless windows will reveal the beauty of the exterior (without a risk of the glass getting streaky or becoming smudged due to environmental factors).

Most people would rather be outside than in the office during the summer. The hot weather and dreams of a vacation can have a detrimental impact on motivation. A beautiful view that’s the result of crystal clear windows is the closest thing to being outside and enjoying the weather.

Clean office windows can also have an impact on brand image. The exterior of the office is the one thing that passers-by will notice. Dirty windows are indicative of sloppiness. Regular cleaning of the exterior gives the façade a shiny appearance. Little things matter and clean windows are one of them.
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Regular Dusting

Dust is nasty, irritating and present just about everywhere in urban settings. One of the worst aspects is that dust becomes even more noticeable when the sun is shining. If you want an impeccable office during the summer, it would be a good idea to focus on dust accumulation in spots that will typically go unnoticed.

The blinds are particularly tricky and sneaky when it comes to dust accumulation. Unless they’re properly cleaned on a regular basis, chances are that the blinds have a layer of dust on them that’s somewhat difficult to clean. Luckily, there are several simple options for getting rid of dust from blinds.
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Clean the Office Fridge, Get Rid of Perishable and Expired Items

When was the last time you cleaned the office fridge? According to some reports, the office bathroom is a lot cleaner than the fridge and you’ll be better off keeping your lunch there.

Many people are guilty of not throwing away perishable items, which creates the perfect conditions for the formation of germ colonies. This is why it’s not a surprise that multiple offices have had to deal with issues like food poisoning.

As summer approaches and the temperatures become high, the risk linked to storing rotten food increases. Thus, you may want to do a thorough fridge cleaning. Get rid of perishable foods that have spoiled and other items past their expiry date. While some colleagues may resist the idea, getting rid of old foods will benefit just about everyone.

In fact, it would be best to empty out the entire fridge and give it a thorough wiping. Remove the racks, clean the shelves and sanitize the door. Once you’ve completed the process, you can return fresh items to the fridge.
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Do an Exterior Damage Inspection

Summer is the best time to deal with exterior damage. The weather is dry and you’ll have an option to fix leaks/other problems before it starts to rain once again.

Check the roof for leaks – the time is ideal for getting those fixed before the beginning of fall rains. The snow and ice piling up on the roof during the winter can contribute to issues. The same applies to spring rainfall. If you haven’t had an issue with leaks already, you may still be dealing with a smaller issue that’s left unidentified.

The driveway and the parking lot will have to be examined for issues, as well. While this isn’t a strictly cleaning and de-cluttering issue, it can contribute to a better office. Potholes occur in the winter and the spring due to ice freezing in the cracks and constantly changing temperatures. Do thorough inspections and fix such issues before they become bigger.

This is it! A cleaner office isn’t that difficult to accomplish. If you focus on sustainability, de-cluttering and attention to detail, you will enjoy a much healthier and more exciting workplace.