The average desk is home to 800 bacteria per square inch. That's 14 times more than the average office toilet seat. With regular office cleaning, you can combat this buildup of germs and bacteria. This will make your office a cleaner and more hygienic place to work.

However, it doesn't matter how large your office cleaning budget is; if you're not following proper procedures, your efforts are ineffective. There are some common mistakes that people make when cleaning their office.

This guide will help you avoid the common office cleaning mistakes, so you have a clean and healthy place to work.

1. Using the Wrong Cleaning Solutions

Match the types of surfaces in your office to the appropriate types of cleaning solutions. You'll need one that can clean glass surfaces and another for wood surfaces. Look for a general surface cleaner that can be used on metal, plastic, and various other surfaces.

Look for cleaners that can both remove dirt and grime while also disinfecting. This ensures you create a clean and sanitary environment.

2. Using Dry or Abrasive Materials

A dry microfiber cloth cleans better than a cotton cloth or paper towels. A damp microfiber cloth traps dust and cleans better than a dry one. Having the right office cleaning tools helps you to clean more efficiently and effectively.

3. Not Using a High Quality Vacuum Cleaner

A high quality vacuum cleaner will have the cleaning ability and durability to provide effective office maintenance. Once you find one with powerful suction ability, you need to empty it regularly. Don't wait until the bag or canister is full.

Choose a vacuum that has a high quality filter. This will prevent dust and particles from getting thrown back out into the air.

You also need to empty the bag or canister regularly. A full vacuum has restricted airflow and can't trap particles and contaminants properly.

4. Assuming Cleaning Tools Are Clean

Create a regular cleaning schedule for your cleaning supplies. This ensures you're always cleaning with clean tools. Imagine all of the dirty surfaces that your mop, sponges, and cleaning rags touch. All of that dirt, grime, and bacteria get removed from your office services and deposited onto your cleaning tools.

Now the next time you go to clean with them, you could be wiping dirt onto your office surfaces instead of off them. By practicing diligent cleaning tool maintenance, you can be sure you're not cross-contaminating.

Put all cleaning cloths and removable cloth mop heads through a wash cycle to clean them thoroughly. Sponges and brushes should get soaked in a cleaning solution.

5. Ignoring Instructions

Even if you do have the right cleaning solutions and materials, you need to use them correctly. The directions are included with your cleaning products for a reason, so follow them. Ignoring the included directions can result in less effective cleaning or even potentially causing damage.

Avoid These Office Cleaning Mistakes

By avoiding these five office cleaning mistakes, you can ensure your office gets effectively cleaned. Start by creating a janitorial supply that has the right cleaning products and tools. Then make sure those supplies are used correctly and properly maintained.

Shop our janitorial supplies to purchase everything you need to keep your office clean.