It is easy to think of key sources of dirt and contamination in an organisation – you may consider the flooring, bathroom facilities and windows, for example. However, there are a host of other places where dirt accumulates and bacteria can spread quickly. On average, people will touch roughly 300 surfaces in 30 minutes, which equates to approximately 840,000 germs. It is imperative that your organisation minimises the risk of contamination, using efficient and thorough cleaning strategies.

  1. Your desk

On average, desk surfaces are thought to harbour 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, and viruses like influenza can survive on hard surfaces like this for up to 24 hours. Make sure employees keep their desks tidy so that your cleaning staff can access them quickly and easily.

  1. Keyboard and mouse

Computer keyboards can become a haven for nasty bacteria, lurking between the keys where it is difficult to reach them. Make sure you shake the dust and crumbs out of your keyboards and clean them regularly; either with a soft, lightly dampened, lint-free cloth or disinfectant alcohol wipes.

  1. Sponges

The sponges in the kitchen of your organisation are likely to be used by a host of different staff members throughout the day, and bacteria can survive and thrive in the network of crevasses inside the sponge. Make sure you replace your sponges regularly, or disinfect them at least once a week to prevent a build-up of harmful bacteria.

  1. Water fountains

Although water fountains are a quick and accessible way of keeping your staff and customers hydrated, they can be a significant source of bacteria in your workspace. In fact, there can be between 2-7 million bacteria per square inch on the spigot alone! Make sure your cleaning staff are disinfecting your water fountains at least once a day, paying particular attention to the mouthpiece.

  1. Phones

Be it your mobile or a landline, your phones are in use consistently throughout the day, and can quickly become a target for harmful bacteria. Check your line-level cleaners are giving desktop phones a regular wipe clean, to keep them germ free and ready for calls any time of the day.

So bear these less obvious places in mind when training you cleaning staff and other employees, to prevent unnecessary illness in the workplace and keep your building spotless!