The Complete Guide to Office Disinfecting

Disinfecting has become a crucial part of offices all around Australia owing to the growing concerns about workers’ safety amidst the news of new viral threats circling around. Office disinfecting is a way to keep commercial premises and employees safe from viruses and virus-borne diseases such as the covid-19. You never know when a seemingly simple virus will turn into a global pandemic, so you should always be ready with the best cleaning and disinfecting practices for your office. Contact CLEANA office cleaning services to book today.

If you are wondering why your office needs regular disinfecting, you should know that general office cleaning will only help remove visible dust and debris and might not be effective in removing bacteria and germs, which are major contributors to the spread of infections and diseases in workplaces. From the lift buttons and door handles or knobs to switchboards, phone receivers, desks, cupboards, computer keyboards and water taps, everything in your office that is frequently touched by several people during the day might contribute to the spread of germs on your premises. Disinfecting can help reduce or eliminate these germs, ensuring high security for your premises, workers and office visitors. Clean Group office cleaning company here explains the detailed process of office disinfecting along with an easy-to-use checklist.

Office Disinfection Services - A complete guide

Disinfection is the process of eliminating bacteria and viruses from different surfaces using a chemical product called a disinfectant. It can reduce the probability of the spread of infections and viruses. The key is to select the right disinfectant product.

A Guide to Commercial Disinfectants

In order to find and buy the right disinfectant for your office, you should have a basic idea about the different types of disinfectants and what goes into making a disinfectant.

All disinfectants out there can be broadly divided into the following three categories:

1. Limited Effect: designed to be effective only against a specific group of microorganisms or pathogens. Covid-19 disinfectants, for example.

2. Broad Spectrum: Effective and can be used across all major microorganism types - bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

3. Hospital-grade Disinfectant: Created particularly to be used in medical premises for the removal of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Reviewed & approved by EPA.

Types of Commercial Disinfectants

When you go to a store to buy a disinfectant, here are all the options you may find:

1. Alcohol-based disinfectant

Alcohols are powerful antiseptic and suitable for use in all types of commercial & residential premises for both personal hygiene (washing hands, etc.) and disinfecting surfaces.

2. Aldehydes

It’s a type of broad-spectrum disinfectant and is considered highly effective in the removal of a large range of viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

3. Chlorine compound

These disinfectants are the most suitable for the cleaning and disinfection of non-porous surfaces such as floors. Famous for being cost-effective.

4. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is mainly used for removing microorganisms such as bacteria and can help fight microbial growth.

5. Iodophors

These chemicals are primarily used for disinfecting bottles, containers, and equipment.

6. Phenolic Compounds

Hospital-grade disinfectant that is used in medical settings for disinfecting tables, beds, surfaces, furniture, phones, etc.

7. Quaternary Ammonium Compound

Common and the safest disinfectant sprays suitable for both commercial and household use. They also come in the form of wipes.

What you should know is that different types of disinfectants contain different chemicals/combinations and are suitable for different purposes as mentioned above. So, do your research, read about different disinfectants and the purposes they can be used for, or ask an expert before selecting an office disinfectant.

Things to keep in mind when buying and/or using disinfectants

Once you have purchased a disinfectant product for your office, the next part is to apply it properly for maximum effect. Here are some tips to keep in mind when doing it.

Use the right water-disinfectant mix

Most disinfectants, including the ones that come in powder form, need to be mixed with water before use. The package will contain instructions about the ideal water-solution ratios for different purposes, which you should carefully read and follow. The cleaner must also make sure to read the safety instructions pertaining to the use of a disinfectant.

Use PPE kits and other safety equipment

Almost all disinfectants can be harsh to people and can do harm to those who come in direct contact with them, which is why cleaners must use proper safety equipment, including PPE kits and/or masks when using potent chemicals for cleaning. Ask the seller about possible side effects when purchasing a disinfectant.

Disinfectants are not cleaners

Pure disinfectants are meant to kill or remove pathogens and will not generally clean the surface, which is why you must clean the surface first before applying disinfectants. The time it takes for a disinfectant to take effect will depend on the surface type and the disinfectant type. Read the manufacturers’ instructions about the best way to use it for maximum effect.

Use of medical disinfectants

For disinfecting medical premises such as hospitals and laboratories, use a disinfectant that has been approved by a recognised authority such as the EPA or FDA or TGA. Hire professional cleaners for medical and other commercial disinfecting services.

Office Cleaning & Disinfecting Checklist

An office can be a vast space to clean. Having a cleaning checklist will not only help make the job easier but also will ensure you do not miss anything. Here’s our detailed office cleaning and disinfecting checklist for every type of commercial facility.

Start with the main entrance or lobby, and clean the following items/areas as you go:

  • Reception workstation
  • Furniture items
  • Reception telephone
  • Empty and clean garbage bin
  • Wipe clean all doors, glass, and partitions to remove finger marks
  • Dust or wipe all walls
  • Remove cobwebs
  • Clean fixtures, switchboards, decorative items, picture frames, etc.
  • Cupboards and upholstery
  • Vacuum blinds, carpets, floor mats, and couches
  • Sweep and mop hard floors and surfaces

Items to disinfect/sanitize:

  • Telephone
  • Desks
  • Door knobs & handles
  • Chair armrests
  • Garbage bins

Cleaning private offices and rooms

  • Vacuum all carpets and spot clean stains
  • Remove cobwebs and clean vents
  • Sweep and mop flooring and hard surfaces
  • Wipe clean furniture, door glass, desks, chairs, tables, and window frames
  • Dust & wipe clean fixtures, computer keyboards, equipment, etc.
  • Empty and clean waste bins and replace liners
  • Wipe glass to remove finger marks
  • Dust or wipe all cabinets, cupboards, bookcases, and shelves
  • Wipe clean phones and other electronics
  • Clean interior partitions, glass doors and windows

Items to disinfect/sanitize:

  • Telephones
  • Equipment, keyboards, computer desktop, etc.
  • Desks and tables
  • Chair armrests
  • Door knobs & handles
  • Garbage bins

Office Restrooms Cleaning & Disinfection

  • Clean, sanitize, and deodorize every object, including hand basins, urinals, and toilets
  • Wipe clean all glass, doors, fixtures, switchboards, mirrors, etc.
  • Empty and wipe clean cupboards
  • Empty and clean all garbage bins
  • Vacuum and mop or wash all hard floors and surfaces
  • Spot clean tiles, walls, doors, partitions, and glass for marks and stains
  • Replace toilet papers & other toiletries

Items to disinfect/sanitize:

  • Door knobs & handles
  • Garbage bins
  • Toilets, urinals
  • Hand basins, water taps & soap dispensers
  • Hard floors

Kitchen cleaning should include the following tasks:

  • Clean all water coolers and dispensers
  • Empty and clean waste bins
  • Clean or wipe furniture, chairs, counters, tabletops, seats, cupboards, shelves, etc.
  • Spot clean doors, glass, windows, switchboards, handles, walls, etc. for finger marks and stains
  • Clean all kitchen appliances
  • Clean and wash sinks
  • Scrub clean and mop all hard floors and vacuum carpeted floors

Items to disinfect/sanitize:

  • Water dispensers
  • Desks, chairs and tables
  • Kitchen counters
  • Water taps & basins
  • Garbage bins

Others areas

  • Clean all electronics, machines, and equipment, including computers, printers, copiers, coffee machines, dispensers & more
  • Sweep/vacuum and mop stairs
  • Clean and disinfect hand railings
  • Clean all elevators once a week or month
  • Disinfect elevator buttons and surfaces
  • Clean all other areas, gym, pantry, dining areas, etc. inside the property

How to disinfect shared office spaces

While your personal office cabin or desk may be safe from the dirty or unclean hands of your colleagues, the same cannot be said for shared spaces such as toilets, meeting rooms, dining areas, and kitchens in the office. On top of that, these are some of the most frequently used and crowded spaces in a workplace, which makes it much more necessary to routinely clean and disinfect these shared spaces around your office. Here are some of the best ways to do it.

Employees in a shared workplace should keep their hands clean and sanitized at all times. Plus, they should clean and disinfect their hands after every bathroom visit and after using/touching any shared equipment or things such as public transportation and public toilets.

Make sure that all high-touch places and frequently used items in and around your office are being disinfected daily or multiple times a day. These include but are not limited to door handles, water taps, toilet doors, desks, countertops, tables, chairs, phones, light switches, refrigerator handles, drawers, microwave buttons, printers & copiers, etc. Keep hand sanitisers at all doorways and entry points across the office and instruct your employees to use them.

Hiring Professional Cleaners for Office Disinfecting

From selecting the right disinfectants to following safety precautions when using them and making proper use for maximum effect, office disinfecting can be a daunting and time-consuming task, one that you might not want to do yourself. But, worry not. This is where professional cleaners come in. You can simply outsource professional disinfecting services for your office in Sydney for both scheduled and emergency cleaning needs.

Our cleaners will personally analyse your cleaning requirements and building, based on which they will finalise the most appropriate cleaning plan and the best cleaning agents, supplies and disinfectants for the desired results. Our team has the necessary experience and plenty of expertise in office disinfecting and can offer the safest office cleaning and disinfecting services in Sydney with a 100% guarantee. We can disinfect your office for covid-19 and all other major infection-borne diseases. Whether you need emergency disinfection cleaning or routine office disinfection, call us to book a service in a minute.

Need help choosing the right disinfectant product for your commercial facility? Contact us today to talk with one of our experts.