Germs, bacteria, and viruses are lurking where you least expect them. This is especially true within office environments, where illness can spread quickly if you’re not careful about cleaning and sanitizing. While office cleaning is recommended to keep you and your workers healthy, you should also be aware of germ hotspots. 

Where Are Dirt and Germs Most Likely to Congregate?

1. Computer Equipment

Computer equipment is an essential aspect of office life, but it can also be a vector for germs. One study looked at office computer equipment and found that out of the 25 keyboards studied, 96% were contaminated.

The rate of contamination is even greater for communal equipment, which has been found to contain four and a half times the number of bacteria when compared to equipment only used by one person. 

2. Bathroom Sinks

Bathroom facilities in offices are best served by touchless faucet handles to prevent germ transfer after hand-washing. Studies of standard handles have found a high rate of fecal contamination, which can cause serious illness in some cases. Norovirus is one such illness that can lead to stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. 

3. Handrails

While taking the stairs is considered the healthier option when it comes to fitness, gripping handrails as you go increases your risk of contracting an illness. Handrails are very high-touch, with dozens of people making contact with them day in and day out.

Any contaminants on people’s hands will be transferred to the handrail and subsequently picked up by you, where they can be introduced to your body should you touch your face. 

4. Breakroom Kitchen Sponges

Coffee is the lifeblood of most offices, and it’s not uncommon for workers to wash their cups in the breakroom sink at the end of the day. Using a kitchen sponge to clean out your coffee cup can expose you to coliform bacteria, according to a study conducted by the University of Arizona.

During the study, 100% of cups that came into contact with a sponge were contaminated. 20% of these coffee cups were also contaminated with E. coli after washing. 

 

In addition to hand-washing and sanitizing office equipment on a daily basis, scheduling office cleaning at your place of work is also effective. Located in Hall County, GA, the team at Eco-Friendly Maid Service is committed to efficient, professional service when cleaning your office. They also reduce the environmental impact of their cleaning process by using eco-friendly, handmade products that are also highly effective. Visit the website to get a quote for your office cleaning job. You can also call (800) 935-6139 to learn more about their products and services.