Sanitize, wash your hands and keep social distance are three phrases that were not that common until Covid-19 hit the global space. The demand for disinfectants and handwashing soaps has been on the rise as people do their best to contain the spread of this deadly virus.
However, observing general hygiene and keeping your workplace clean should not only happen when we have a global crisis. People have learned through the hard way, and we have people who have seized the opportunity to open a sanitizing business that they hope to operate even after the virus is long gone. The following are some of the reasons why you need to maintain a clean workplace.
Image by fredericomeyer
Increased employee productivity
Investing in your employees is a prerequisite for success. The number of employees in your venture does not matter a lot. Their productivity levels are what will determine whether you are getting value for your money or not. Most companies invest in continuous training, but that is not the only requirement to have a productive workforce. Such employees will be happy when they are in a workspace that is clean, fresh, and free from dust. The air should smell sweet and healthy to breathe if you want them to work to their level best.
A positive and professional appearance
You may have come across this phrase, ‘the first impression is the lasting impression.’ Which type of message do you want to pass to your potential clients when they visit your offices? You can either show them that you are clean or dirty. No one will be impressed with an office with a stained carpet, papers falling all over, and dusty desks. You may have challenges retaining customers, and you may have never considered cleanliness as one of the parameters. Cleaning and sanitizing your premises often assures the potentials that they are in a safe environment.
Fewer sick days
Request for sick leave drains most businesses when it comes to productivity. There are those tasks that can only be performed perfectly by a certain employee. However, the state of your workplace could be the reason why your employees are often calling in sick. If an illness affects an area such as production, then other departments such as delivery will also take a blow. There are different types of diseases, such as common flu that spread fast in crowded spaces. Cleaning and disinfecting your workplace helps you get rid of viruses and other disease-causing microorganisms that may have stuck on different surfaces.
Improves air quality
The air indoors might not be that clean as you think. You may have invested in air-filtration tools, but that is not enough. Such an approach only gets rid of the pollutants but does not address the cause. Cleaning and disinfecting the surfaces helps you deal with the root cause. Your employees can spend up to 8 hours at your premises. They thus deserve to take in clean air as it affects their productivity levels and general health. The employees will feel that you care about their welfare when you invest in regular cleaning and sanitizing the premises.
Long-term cost savings
Dust and stains are likely to accumulate over time when you do basic cleaning of your business premises. Your furniture will start to emit odors, and trying air fresheners may never be the solution. Some disease-causing microorganisms are likely to accumulate on various services and may become costly to contain them in the future. Your office may become inhabitable to those people who are allergic to dirt and other allergens. You may be forced to change your carpets and furniture, which is expensive. Cleaning and sanitizing your premises helps you avoid some of these costs.
Regular cleaning and disinfection of your space come with many benefits, as you can already see. There are two options for maintaining a clean work environment; you can either hire a professional or decide to do it on your own. The following are some of the factors to consider when selecting an office disinfectant.
Protection
There are different types of cleaning and disinfecting agents out there in the market. Some of them can only do away with dust and other allergens. The best cleanup and disinfectant reagents are also those that can eliminate viruses as well. You need assurance that the surfaces that you touch are free from viruses. Go through the label to learn about the capabilities of different solutions before you commit to buy. The choice of the cleaning agents will depend on your office setting, the number of employees, and the season.
Handling precautions
Is it something you can handle on your own, or do you need professional help? Do you need to wear a special outfit when sanitizing your premises, or are normal clothing enough? These questions should linger on your mind before you get those cleaning solutions. The surfaces that you intend to clean and sanitize should also determine the choice of reagents to use. For instance, you may find that some substances are suitable for wooden surfaces but react with fabrics. Learn how to deal with the reagents if they come into contact with your skin or any other surface.
Protection period
Cleaning and sanitizing can be a costly and draining exercise. There will be an interruption of the normal business activities as you make your premises habitable. Your employees might be forced to work from home, or you may be forced to put a ‘closed’ sign. You may not get time to clean and sanitize your office every other day. The ideal reagents should offer maximum protection for the longest time possible. A 90-days guarantee is a good starting point when it comes to a disinfectant. You can thus plan and give your employees enough time to plan their tasks.
The benefits that you get when you sanitize your office premises are higher than the cost you incur to maintain a clean space. Cleaning and disinfecting the workspace should be regular and not a one-time thing like most people believe. Ensure that you use the best cleaning and sanitizing agents to make your space habitable.