A 2012 study found that some of the most unexpected surfaces in the workplace are loaded with harmful germs and bacteria. Vending machine buttons and microwave handles are two of the worst culprits of all, creeping and crawling with loads of microscopic monsters.
The study involved hygienists from Kimberly-Clark’s Healthy Workplace Project swabbing over 5,000 surfaces at a variety of office locations. They swabbed law offices, insurance companies, manufacturing plants, call centers and health care facilities.
Researchers then took all of these swabs to the lab and analyzed them for adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is a molecule found in all forms of animal, vegetable, mold, and yeast cells. The higher ATP found on a surface, the greater the likelihood it is covered in viruses and germs that could make someone sick. Any surface that reads over 100 is in serious need of disinfecting, and any surface over 300 is so dirty it has the potential to make workers very ill.
The study identified 6 places that superseded all other surfaces in terms of ATP content and overall dirtiness. While people are leery of bacteria lurking in bathrooms or on toilet seats, they often view things like the breakroom microwave as a safe space. You might not think to wash your hands after touching the microwave, but you’d wash your hands after touching the toilet. In other words, the microwave presents a greater danger because people aren’t aware of it.
And the “winners” of the dirtiest office spaces are…
#1. 75% of sink faucet handles were the dirtiest spot in the office.
#2. 48% of microwave door handles were the dirtiest spot in the office.
#3. 27% of keyboards were laden with more bacteria than you’d ever want to see under a microscope.
#4. 23% of water fountain buttons were covered in invisible filth.
#5. 21% of vending machine buttons took the cake in terms of dirtiness.
The Value In Hiring A Commercial Cleaning Company
There’s no way to avoid germs 100% of the time and you wouldn’t even want to, some exposure to germs is good for you. That doesn’t mean you should live and work in filth. A clean and sanitized workplace can reduce employee exposure to the stomach flu by as much as 80%.
It’s important to regularly clean and sanitize the office in order to reduce the number of sick days employees take. Hiring a professional cleaning service is the best way to ensure your office remains clean throughout the work week. We can put you on a plan that fits your needs in terms of time of cleaning and frequency.
Commercial cleaning services virtually pay for themselves by generating greater productivity and higher employee morale. For one, when employees are exposed to fewer germs and bacteria they get sick less often and miss fewer days of work. Plus, when employees work in a clean environment they tend to feel better, experience a reduction in allergies, and are therefore more productive.
On the other hand, productivity is sure to suffer if your office is dirty and employees are not feeling their best as a result.
Other Ways To Improve Office Cleanliness
-Install hand sanitizers around the office, especially near doors so that employees can sanitize their hands before going to a different part of the office. This helps reduce the spread of germs from one area to another. It’s clear to see from the study mentioned above that germs start in one part of the office and then work their way to the opposite end. Adding hand sanitizers in the right places can help prevent bacteria from spreading uncontrollably.
-Wipe down desks and keyboards with disinfecting wipes at the end of each work day.
-Keep disinfectant wipes in the breakroom and other areas known to accumulate a lot of germs.
-Hire Tidy Team! We are the number one name for superior commercial cleaning services in South Florida. We don’t just offer some cleaning services, we literally offer an entire menu of services. Deep cleaning floors, waxing and resurfacing, power washing windows or parking lots, there’s nothing we don’t have the tools and knowledgeable professionals to accomplish.