Spring-Cleaning your Flexible Workspace

“Spring cleaning is the practice of thoroughly cleaning a house in the springtime.” – Wikipedia

Good housekeeping concerns not only the house, but also the work environment. Considering most professionals spend equal or more time at work than at home, maintaining a clean and healthy environment is as important in the house as it is in the workplace.

Refresh, Recharge, Re-Organize

Benefits of a clean work environment include well-being, improved physical health, and increased productivity levels. As a flexible workspace operator, you’re responsible for keeping a proper work environment in which members feel comfortable in and can successfully get their work done. Plus, fact is, people do judge a book by its cover, and when it comes to attracting and retaining clients, the way your workspace looks can be a deciding factor.

A study by Procter & Gamble Professional, The Value of Clean™ How Cleaning Improves Your Bottom Line, showed that a clean work environment: “Lead(s) to more satisfied tenants and a cleaner building, which improve(s) attraction and retention.”

Various factors influence the quality of a work environment, from air to lighting, all the way to equipment cleanliness and overall organization. Below you’ll find three main factors that you should focus on when spring-cleaning your workspace.

Air and Heating Vents

Dust tends to build-up in vents, which causes them to work harder, therefore increasing your costs; dust buildup can also produce allergens. Vents help keep a constant airflow in indoor environments, cleaning them leads to better air quality and prevents health issues, like dry eyes, flu and cold symptoms, and allergies.

In case you don’t wish to hire a professional cleaning service, this video shows how to easily clean air vents.

Dusting and Cleaning

Dust builds up in vents, as well as in objects and various surfaces; workspaces are also full of objects that are constantly being touched and exposed to bacteria and viruses. Our tip is to dust and clean everything, from carpets and windows, to light bulbs, desks, and computer screens. It’s time to get rid of dust, fingerprints, crumbs, grime, stains, and all that’s in between.

Dusting *Tip: start from the top and work your way to the floor.*
Here’s what you’ll need:

Feather or microfiber duster with long handles for hard to reach spaces

A paintbrush to help dust small areas, cracks, and crevices

Dust spray

A dust rag or microfiber cloth for larger surfaces

A vacuum cleaner for floor, carpets, curtains, sofas, etc.

A broom and dustpan

A dust mop

Cleaning *Tip: don’t  forget monitors, screens, and walls.*
Here’s what you’ll need:

Gloves

All-purpose cleaners

Glass cleaners

Antibacterial wipes

Paper towels
Sponges and brushes

A rag

Carpet freshener, spray or powder (follow package instructions)

Vacuum cleaner

Air-fresheners

Trash bags and trashcans

Remember to dust first before cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects.

Organize

Messiness is distracting.

Start by ‘purging’ your workspace: go over papers, tools, supplies, equipment, decoration; everything you haven’t used in a while and everything that’s no longer necessary needs to go. Then, group items together, label them, and designate a place for them. Go over drawers, boxes, mail, filing cabinets, and every space in which you ‘keep’ or save papers, things, and notes. Make sure that desks are free of clutter and that cables are organized and detangled.

Lastly, make it a community activity. Ask your members for help, set a date and time, get some pizza, some beers, and have fun. Your workspace will be looking sharp and feel better in no time, and your members will thank you for it.