Top 10 High-Touch Areas for Cleaning in Your Office

In any office, high-touch areas are a breeding ground for germs, bacteria, and viruses. From door handles to shared desks, these surfaces are frequently touched by multiple people throughout the day, making them prime spots for the spread of illness. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the top 10 high-touch areas to clean, why they’re at such high risk, and the best cleaning practices to keep your office environment healthy and safe.

What Is High-Touch Area Cleaning?

High-touch areas are surfaces or objects that experience frequent contact from multiple people many times a day. In office environments, these areas often become hotspots for germs. To address this, high-touch area cleaning focuses on disinfecting these frequently touched surfaces. Here’s why this solution is essential in office spaces:

Prevents Germ Spread: High-touch areas are breeding grounds for viruses and harmful bacteria. Regular cleaning ensures these germs don’t transfer to employees.
Reduces Sick Days: Frequent disinfection can minimize the spread of illnesses, leading to fewer sick days and a healthier workforce.
Enhances Office Hygiene: Focused cleaning on the highest-contact surfaces keeps the office cleaner and more comfortable for employees.

By targeting key surfaces, office managers can create a safer environment and improve overall workplace cleanliness. In the next section, we’ll explore the top 10 areas you should focus on.

High-Touch Areas to Clean in Your Office

Maintaining a clean office environment goes beyond just keeping floors tidy and windows sparkling. Below, we’ve listed the top high-touch areas in your office that require frequent attention to help prevent the spread of germs and keep your workspace healthier.

#1: Doorknobs and Handles

Every time someone enters or exits a room, they touch the door handle, transferring germs. These areas are especially prone to carrying viruses and bacteria, making regular cleaning essential. To keep them clean, use a disinfectant wipe or spray at least once a day, especially if your office experiences heavy traffic.

#2: Light Switches

Light switches are another high-touch area often overlooked. With constant use throughout the day, they can harbor germs from multiple hands. Since people often forget to clean them, they accumulate oils, dirt, and bacteria. To disinfect, wipe down light switches with disinfecting wipes or a microfiber cloth and an appropriate disinfectant to keep them germ-free.

#3: Shared Desks and Workstations

When employees share desks or workstations, these areas become hotbeds for germs. The constant contact with hands, phones, and papers can transfer bacteria and viruses. Cleaning shared spaces thoroughly at the end of each day and encouraging employees to wipe down their stations regularly can help minimize the risk.

#4: Keyboards and Computer Mice

Keyboards and computer mice are among the most frequently touched items in an office. They often become sticky or dirty from constant use, making them perfect places for germs to thrive. To prevent this, clean keyboards and mice with disinfecting wipes regularly. Be sure to pay attention to the spaces between the keys, as these areas can trap dirt and bacteria.

#5: Phones and Headsets

Phones and headsets are in constant use in an office setting, and as such, they’re prime carriers of germs. Whether it’s a shared office phone or personal headsets, regular cleaning is essential to prevent cross-contamination. Use antibacterial wipes or sprays on the receiver and headset parts, and encourage employees to wipe down their phones after each use.

#6: Breakroom and Kitchen Surfaces

Shared appliances like coffee makers and kettles are also high-touch areas. These spaces should be cleaned multiple times a day, especially the areas most commonly used, such as countertops and refrigerator handles.

#7: Bathroom Faucets and Handles

Bathroom faucets and handles are other frequently touched surfaces in an office restroom. These areas are exposed to germs from hands that have touched other surfaces, and when not regularly cleaned, they can contribute to the spread of bacteria. Make sure to disinfect faucets, handles, and door latches in the restroom multiple times a day for the best results.

Discover how Carlson Building Maintenance’s restroom cleaning services prevent bacteria buildup before it starts, ensuring a cleaner, healthier environment for your business.

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#8: Elevator Buttons

Since elevator buttons are used by many people, they quickly accumulate bacteria and viruses. To maintain cleanliness, wipe down elevator buttons with a disinfecting wipe after every use or at regular intervals during the day.

#9: Copy Machines and Printers

These devices are frequently touched, whether it’s for making copies or printing documents, making them a major hotspot for germs. Regularly cleaning the control panels, buttons, and surrounding surfaces with disinfecting wipes will help keep these machines free of germs.

#10: Office Chairs

Office chairs, particularly the arms and backs, are touched frequently as employees adjust their seating positions throughout the day. Over time, these areas can accumulate oils, sweat, and germs from hands. To keep them clean, wipe down chair arms and backs with a disinfecting wipe or cloth, especially in shared spaces where multiple people use the same chair.

Best Practices for High-Touch Area Cleaning

Making sure your office remains clean and germ-free requires a consistent approach to high-touch area cleaning. Here are some key tips to keep your office’s high-touch areas in top shape:

Clean Regularly: High-touch surfaces should be cleaned multiple times throughout the day, especially areas with heavy foot traffic. Aim for at least once in the morning and once before the end of the workday.
Use the Right Products: Choose disinfectants that are effective against a wide range of germs. Make sure to use products that are safe for electronics, such as alcohol-based wipes for keyboards and mice.
Focus on Key Surfaces: Prioritize the most frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles, light switches, and shared desks. These are the highest-risk areas for contamination.
Encourage Employee Participation: Provide employees with disinfecting wipes or sprays to encourage regular cleaning of personal workspaces and shared equipment.
Deep Clean Weekly: In addition to daily spot cleaning, schedule a deep clean of all high-touch areas once a week to ensure a thorough disinfecting.

By following these best practices, you can ensure that high-traffic areas in your office stay clean, and your employees stay healthier.

Keep Your Office Clean With Carlson Building Maintenance

Carlson Building Maintenance offers high-touch area cleaning to ensure your workplace remains safe, sanitary, and productive. Don’t wait for illness to strike—let us help you maintain a cleaner, healthier environment today. Contact us to schedule a consultation or learn more about our tailored cleaning services!