Disinfecting Your Work Desk Post-COVID-19

How do you disinfect your desk from COVID-19?

  1. Know The Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitizing, And Disinfecting
  2. Equip Yourself With Proper Gear
  3. Proceed With The Routine
  4. Disinfect and Sanitize

 

You may be using your desk currently or you may have left it alone to favor a work from home setup. Either way, it’s important to keep your space clean and sanitized the next time you work and use your desk again. To disinfect your desk post-COVID-19, you don’t need fancy UV sterilizers and chemicals. This is a quick and easy to do project that’s affordable. Here’s how you can make your desk work-ready!

 

Know The Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitizing, And Disinfecting

Different tools used for cleaning

Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting are very different in definition. For starters, cleaning removes germs and surface impurities with soap and water. It will not completely kill all germs and viruses but it can lower infection risks. You will need to start with cleaning before disinfecting and sanitizing. After cleaning, properly disinfecting your desk should be a top priority. This will further lower the risk of infection by using chemical disinfectants to kill germs on the surface. To further ensure that your desk is safe, sanitizing will lower the number of germs and eliminate viruses on your desk to an acceptable safe level. Once again, the use of chemicals will make sure that this can happen.

Equip Yourself With Proper Gear

A person putting on gloves

The CDC has graciously provided detailed instructions on how to disinfect your workspace. You can check that out to find useful tips and tricks. They also have a list of approved disinfectants. There are tons of useful information on the CDC website which you can also apply at home.

For cleaning and disinfecting, it’s best to use disposable, personal protective equipment. This includes masks, gowns, and gloves. You will need to remove and throw these away immediately after using them.

 

Proceed With The Routine

A person wiping a table using gloves

Start with cleaning before disinfecting. This will remove physical particles that can become viral agents. Using a detergent will remove particles that can carry COVID-19. If you don’t have detergent, simple soap and water will do the trick. Make use of disposable rags when cleaning your desk. Remember to dispose of them immediately after use. This will help your disinfectant be more effective in killing the remains of the virus.

Disinfect and Sanitize

A person spraying a towel

The easiest disinfectant to access is a bleach and water solution. Focus on high-touch surfaces. High-touch surfaces include your keyboard, phone covers, touch screens, and hard-backed chairs. If you have shared electronics and equipment, you will need to work on cleaning and disinfecting that as well.

 

Key Takeaway

Disinfect your desk post-COVID-19 to prevent the spread of dangerous pathogens. Even if you think that it’s safe to use because it looks clean, taking the time to clean, disinfect, and sanitize will go a long way in making sure your surroundings are safe to work in. There are tons of sources online where you can find easy yet effective tips for cleaning and disinfecting your desk. Starting with this short guide is a good primer to help you get started on creating a safe workspace.

Tips On Cleaning and Disinfecting An Office Space

What are the tips on disinfecting and cleaning an office space?

  1. Declutter
  2. Clean surfaces
  3. Vacuum and mop floors
  4. Promote good hygiene practices
  5. Make cleaning a routine

 

Cleaning may not be your company’s focus right now, but it will be when the COVID-19 community quarantine regulations are lifted and your team returns to the office. Once you’re all back, you’ll notice that people think and react differently about the equipment and surfaces around now. You might see people reaching for disinfecting wipes or hand sanitizers when before the pandemic, nobody would even notice these items. While it’s understandable to experience a little uneasiness as to when your team ventures back to the office, disinfecting your office space beforehand will ease these thoughts and keep everyone safe and healthy.

Whether engaging in routine cleaning or just following your public health official’s advice for sanitation, office cleaning practices are essential. Read on because we’ve collected some of the most useful tips to help you clean and disinfect your office!

 

Declutter

The atmosphere of your office will be a lot more stressful and unproductive if it’s too cluttered or if it’s too dirty. This might be partly because of the distractions that can be seen in your office space, like unorganized paperwork or leftover food crumbs.

The first step in achieving a gleaming office space is to declutter. It is a pretty straightforward process and all you need to do is to remove all unnecessary objects like extra papers, file folders, unused mugs, and office supplies from your desks. Store needed items in file boxes and cabinets to keep the office premises looking organized.

A bit of additional advice is to encourage your team to keep their desks clean and avoid eating at their desks. Ask them to keep their designated areas spotless before they clock out at the end of the day to ensure there will be no clutter build-up in the future.

 

Clean Surfaces

Clean surfaces

You and your team spend a lot of time at the office; some even spend more time in the office than at their own home. Hence, cleaning the office is needed. Dust, dirt, and cobweb buildup can trigger all kinds of health problems including coughs, rashes, and other respiratory problems. When other employees fall sick, germs can very easily be carried from one place to another, and manifest. With the coronavirus already threatening everyone’s health, nobody wants to catch more diseases right?

So dampen a microfiber cloth and wipe down all the surfaces in your office space. Wipe down desk spaces, computer keyboards, mouses, printers, countertops, switches, shelves, telephones, and doorknobs. Don’t forget to clean often overlooked areas like the power cords behind your desk, fan blades, window sills, or areas under your computer.

A study proved that the coronavirus can live on surfaces and air for days. The only guaranteed way to keep viruses and germs at bay is to use cleaning agents. Use a bleach solution or disinfectant spray. Remember to do this step thoroughly because your office space has high touch surfaces that can easily spread diseases.

 

Vacuum and Mop Floors

Regular vacuuming is incredibly important if you have carpets in your office space. Dust and dirt accumulate in carpets and allergens cling to its fibers. While if you have hard floors, you’ll need to have a mopping set for cleaning them regularly. Keeping the floors cleansed will help remove dirt and dust further, and as a result, it will keep your team breathing clean air as well.

 

Promote Good Hygiene Practices

Promote good hygiene practices

In order to disinfect your office space, good hygiene practices must be observed. This includes proper and frequent handwashing and having respiratory etiquette when coughing or sneezing.

Place wipes, sanitizer, paper towels, and waste bins in easily accessible areas. Consider buying “touchless” appliances like automatic soap dispensers, motion-detecting switches, and hand-dryers as this will improve overall hygiene in the office. Moreover, discourage employees who feel ill or those who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms from coming to work to avoid the transmission of diseases.

 

Make Cleaning A Routine

Once you’re done disinfecting and cleaning, make it a habit to clean your office space regularly. Have general cleaning routines every month and remind your employees to keep their areas clean all the time.

When faced with the daily pressures of running a business, a major task like routine cleaning may seem like an easy thing to put off. However, one must keep in mind that a clean workplace is vital for reasons like maintaining a healthy environment and leaving a good impression on visitors when they enter a tidy office.

 

Key Takeaway

Even if it may be hard to maintain regular cleaning schedules, the daily practices of keeping desks organized and disinfecting high-touch surfaces can create a healthy environment year-round.

When returning to work, everyone will go through the new normal every day. It is vital that your office is prepared for these uncertain circumstances in order to maintain a healthy workforce. To disinfect your office space, follow these tips and help keep everyone on your team safe.