Spring is on its way, and with it comes the ideal time to step back and see what needs re-organising, decluttering and cleaning in the workplace.
A deep office cleaning can have massive benefits for your business. Not only will it look and smell great, but hygiene will improve, as well as productivity and employee well-being.
While many offices focus on more general day-to-day cleaning, it’s important to take the time to deep clean your office. Hidden dust, clutter and bacteria can easily build up, stains can accumulate, and your office can look shabby and uncared for overtime despite your best efforts.
A proper workplace spring cleaning requires thorough attention – best achieved with a professional cleaning service. A professional cleaning company will be well equipped with the right tools, equipment and knowledge to ensure that your office gets a thorough clean and that bacteria, allergens and other nasties are removed, improving air quality, reducing pollutants, letting more light into your workspace and helping to reduce the spread of germs.
This guide covers top office spring cleaning tips, the benefits of a deep clean, and why outsourcing to experts ensures the best results.
Why Office Spring Cleaning is Essential
The Psychological Benefits of a Clean Workspace
A clutter-free environment reduces stress and enhances focus, so if you want your employees to be better equipped to focus on the task at hand, make sure your office is a clean and tidy place to conduct business.
Study: Princeton University found that visual clutter overloads the brain, reducing concentration. So if you need your employees to stay focused and pay attention, it’s important that you create an environment that best allows them to do so.
Employees in clean offices report higher job satisfaction. This suggests that teams appreciate investment in their work environment – it reflects their value, and employees that are more satisfied in their work are less likely to look for other employment opportunities elsewhere.
Improved Employee Health and Reduced Sick Days
Offices are breeding grounds for bacteria, dust mites, and allergens. Because of the proximity of people to one another and time spent in the office, as well as other factors such as windows typically remaining closed, it’s easy to see why illnesses easily spread in a workplace environment. In fact, workplace illness costs UK businesses £77 billion annually, so deep cleaning to remove germs from desks, shared spaces, and ventilation systems can help to ensure that your business keeps staff sickness to a minimum.
Boosting Productivity Through a Fresh Environment
A tidy space leads to better time management and efficiency. Keeping your desk clutter-free and the wider workplace environment tidy helps employees stay focused and productive. A study by the Harvard Business Review found that clutter can trigger coping and avoidance strategies. In a clear workspace, processes can be more easily adhered to, your team will feel more settled and less distracted, and it gives a great first impression to clients, customers and potential future employees too.
Office Spring Cleaning Checklist
Our office spring cleaning tips will help you understand all the different areas of your office to pay attention to.
- Decluttering Workstations and Common Areas
- Clear out old paperwork, broken equipment, and unnecessary clutter.
- Implement a document digitisation strategy to reduce paper waste.
- Encourage employees to adopt a clean desk policy.
- Deep Cleaning High-Touch Areas
- Disinfect keyboards, phones, light switches, and shared office equipment.
- Research: University of Arizona found that desks host 400x more bacteria than toilet seats.
- Ensure regular sanitation of communal kitchen appliances and break rooms.
- Carpet and Upholstery Refresh
- Carpets trap dust, allergens, and bacteria over time.
- Vacuuming isn’t enough – professional steam cleaning is needed for deep sanitation.
- Study: EPA states that indoor air quality can be 2–5 times worse than outdoor air due to dirty carpets.
- Window and Glass Cleaning
- Natural light improves mood and productivity and reduces eye strain.
- Dirty windows reduce sunlight exposure by up to 40%.
- Regular window cleaning maintains a professional office appearance.
- Air Quality and Ventilation System Cleaning
- Air ducts accumulate dust, mould, and bacteria, affecting employee respiratory health.
- Study: World Green Building Council found that better indoor air quality boosts productivity by 8–11%.
- Professional cleaning of HVAC systems ensures a fresh and healthy work environment.
- Kitchen and Break Room Deep Clean
- Kitchens can harbour harmful bacteria, mould, and food spills.
- Disinfecting fridges, microwaves, countertops, and sinks reduces cross-contamination.
- Encourage labelled storage and routine fridge cleanouts.
- Organising Storage Spaces
- Sort out supply closets, filing cabinets, and storage rooms.
- Implement better organisation systems to reduce clutter.
- Dispose of obsolete equipment and redundant supplies.
Common Office Spring Cleaning Mistakes
If you choose not to hire a professional office cleaning company to help with your office spring cleaning, you need to be aware that there are some common mistakes that you don’t want to make. Hidden germ spots such as telephone receivers and drawer handles are often overlooked – a professional cleaning company would focus on deep sanitation and make sure that all these areas were covered.
It’s also important to choose the correct cleaning products for the job. Harsh chemicals can cause respiratory problems and damage surfaces. Opt for eco-friendly and non-toxic cleaners to keep employees and the environment safe.
It’s also worth remembering that air vents and air filters can play a big part in keeping the air quality high and, therefore,your team healthy. Ensure you regularly replace air filters to improve the circulation and energy efficiency of the workplace.
The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Office Cleaning Service
Expertise in Deep Cleaning and Disinfection
Professional office cleaning services go beyond basic tidying to provide a deep and thorough clean that removes dirt, bacteria, and viruses from high-touch areas. Trained cleaners understand the common hotspots for germs, such as door handles, keyboards, desks, and communal kitchen surfaces, ensuring these areas receive extra attention.
Unlike regular household cleaning products, commercial cleaning companies use industrial-grade disinfectants and equipment, such as HEPA filter vacuums, steam cleaners, and electrostatic sprayers, which effectively eliminate harmful pathogens. This level of expertise is particularly crucial during flu seasons or in the wake of a pandemic, helping to reduce the spread of illness and create a healthier work environment for employees.
Saves Time and Boosts Employee Productivity
Employees should be able to focus on their core responsibilities without the distraction of cleaning tasks. When businesses assign staff to clean communal areas such as kitchens and toilets, it wastes valuable work hours and leads to dissatisfaction and resentment.
A study by Office Team found that nearly half of employees feel frustrated when asked to clean shared spaces, believing it falls outside their job role. A cluttered, unclean environment can also reduce morale, increase stress, and negatively impact overall productivity. By outsourcing cleaning to professionals, businesses ensure that employees remain engaged in their work rather than dealing with hygiene issues, leading to improved efficiency and job satisfaction.
Compliance with Health and Safety Standards
Health and safety regulations require businesses to maintain a clean and hygienic workspace, but compliance can be challenging without professional expertise. Cleaning companies stay up to date with the latest workplace hygiene laws, ensuring businesses meet their legal obligations.
One critical aspect of compliance is the safe disposal of hazardous cleaning waste. Some cleaning products contain chemicals that require careful handling and disposal to avoid environmental harm and health risks. Professional cleaners have the knowledge and training to manage these substances correctly, reducing liability for businesses and promoting workplace safety.
By maintaining high hygiene standards, companies also reduce the risk of workplace illnesses, preventing absenteeism and safeguarding employee well-being.
Custom Cleaning Plans to Fit Business Needs
Every business has different cleaning requirements depending on its size, layout, and operating hours. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work, which is why professional cleaning services offer tailored plans to suit specific business needs.
Flexible cleaning schedules allow companies to choose daily, weekly, or one-off deep cleans, depending on their requirements. Some businesses may prefer cleaning to take place outside of office hours to minimise disruption, while others may need daytime cleaning for high-traffic areas. Whether it’s a small office needing occasional maintenance or a large corporate space requiring frequent deep cleaning, a tailored plan ensures the highest level of cleanliness without interfering with daily operations.
By customising cleaning services, businesses can maintain a pristine work environment while optimising costs and efficiency.
Creating a Year-round Clean Office Strategy
Of course, while office spring cleaning is beneficial, creating a year-round office cleaning strategy is essential to ensure that your workplace remains clean and hygienic and reap the benefits of doing so. By implementing a daily cleaning routine including encouraging employees to adhere to a clear desk policy and take responsibility for sanitising and tidying shared spaces you can hope to keep on top of cleaning tasks and minimise germ and bacteria buildup. Provide cleaning clothes and hand sanitisers in easy-to-access areas to help encourage your teams to get stuck in.
Scheduling Seasonal Deep Cleans
As well as general cleaning, it’s a good idea to plan your deep cleaning routine and ensure that this is done once a quarter. Quarterly deep cleaning will help to maintain hygiene levels, and while spring is the ideal time for a complete office refresh, it’s also a good idea to do this every few months.
Partnering with a Professional Cleaning Service
Regular professional cleaning not only prevents dirt and dust buildup but will also ensure that germs, allergens and bacteria are kept to a minimum. So your office will look great and be a safe and pleasant place to work.
Long-term cleaning contracts offer better value and ensure consistent cleanliness, and since a cleaner office equals a more productive office and happier workforce, it’s just a smart investment for the future of your business. DIY cleaning has limitations, and by employing the services of a professional cleaning company, you ensure a deeper, more effective cleaning.
If you are considering hiring an office cleaning company to help you with your cleaning needs, we offer an impressive range of services, from daily office cleans to office deep cleans and specialised services. Browse our service options for more information, or contact one of our expert team members to talk through your requirements today.