Autumn cleaning for your workplace is essential for the health and safety challenges brought by the wetter colder Welsh weather. The start of the cold and flu season is coming. It involves a shift from the summer routine to a deeper, more preventative focus.
Here are the key areas to focus on for autumn office cleaning in the Cardiff area:
Entrance and Floor Protection
The damp climate in Wales means more water, mud, and fallen leaves are tracked into the office, especially in high-traffic commercial areas like the city centre.
- Heavy-Duty Matting: Invest in or upgrade to large, high-quality absorbent doormats at every entrance. Ensure they are regularly cleaned or replaced to effectively trap moisture and debris.
- Deep Clean Floors: Schedule a deep clean for carpets and upholstery. This is crucial for removing embedded dirt, salt residue, and moisture that can lead to odours and damage over time.
- Gutter Clearance (Exterior): Clear all fallen leaves and debris from external walkways and gutters. This is a safety measure to prevent slips on wet leaves and to ensure rainwater drains properly, avoiding damage to the building exterior.
Flu Season Sanitisation
As employees spend more time indoors and the cold and flu season begins, sanitisation must be ramped up to prevent the spread of illness.
- High-Touch Surface Disinfection: Increase the frequency of disinfecting high-touch surfaces such as door handles, light switches, lift buttons, shared equipment (printers, photocopiers), and communal kitchen taps/handles.
- Workstation Sanitisation: Provide and encourage the use of antibacterial wipes and hand sanitiser. Pay extra attention to keyboards, mice, and desk phones.
- Breakroom Deep Clean: Give the kitchen and breakroom a comprehensive clean. This includes an internal fridge clear-out (removing old food) and a deep clean/descale of microwaves, kettles, and coffee machines.
Light and Air Quality
Shorter days and closed windows mean your office relies more on artificial light and internal air circulation, making these areas a priority.
- Window Cleaning: Have the windows cleaned inside and out. Maximising natural light is vital for boosting employee mood and compensating for the darker autumn afternoons.
- Air Con Maintenance: Clean the air vents and replace or clean filters. Turning on the heating for the first time can circulate accumulated dust and allergens from the summer months, which is bad for air quality.
- Light Fixtures: Dust and wipe down all light fixtures, lampshades, and bulbs to ensure you get the maximum light output.
Organisational Deep Clean
Autumn is an ideal time for a major declutter to prepare the workspace for the winter.
- Decluttering: Encourage employees to clear out old paperwork, broken equipment, and excess personal items from their desks and shared storage spaces. An organised space is much easier to keep clean.
- Storage and Inventory: Review and tidy storage closets and supply areas. Stock up on winter cleaning supplies, including extra hand soap, hand sanitiser, heavy-duty floor cleaner, and non-slip warning signs.
- Insulation Check: While not strictly cleaning, check windows and external doors for drafts and ensure they seal properly. Keeping the cold Welsh air out not only saves on heating bills but also helps maintain a consistent, comfortable working environment.
