5 Tips for Sanitizing Your Desk or Office
Amidst all the chaos and uncertainties of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, one of the first things to open back up is office buildings. We’ve managed to keep our homes clean and protect ourselves within comfortable environments, but many are wondering how to do this at their very own desk upon returning to work. What was once a familiar setting can now feel foreign as the pandemic rages on. This is why we have listed the top five tips for sanitizing your desk and office space.
Make Sure You Come Prepared
Before you return to your office or desk space, think of all the cleaning supplies you’ll want to use for sanitizing the space. It is important you bring EPA-registered disinfectants to keep at your desk for daily use. This furthers your chances of killing any germs that may touch your space.
Consistency is Key
Just because you cleaned your desk upon returning to the office does not mean it will stay free of germs. Make sure you sanitize your desk daily. Wipe down the surface in one direction and don’t go back over it in the opposite direction because it will deposit germs that were just cleaned up.
Think of setting a reminder to clean either in the morning or before you leave work. You are in charge of your own space and maintaining its sanitization. Don’t hesitate to ask your employer if they are taking any other necessary steps to sanitize the office apart from what you’re doing. This is helpful to know as part of your precautionary cleaning routines.
On trash days, you can leave your bin near the door of your office or desk, minimizing the time someone else enters your space. When using the bathroom, communal or single, it’s a smart idea to come prepared with disinfectant wipes for the toilet and sink to make sure you are only touching clean surfaces.
Know What Your High Touch Surfaces Are
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines high touch surfaces as: “tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.” Take yourself through a regular day at the office, and make note of all the things you have to touch in order to go through your workday efficiently. This includes electronics, writing utensils such as pens and pencils, folders, keyboards, monitors and chairs. Remember, when it comes to sanitizing, it is better to clean too much than too little. Using proper precautions, such as gloves, helps eliminate your risk of exposure while cleaning.
Remember to Wear Your Mask
Your workplace most likely has its own guidelines as to when you should be wearing masks to protect against the pandemic. Make sure you have more than one mask, so if you forget one in the car or leave one at the office, you are minimizing the exposure you have while without one.
Attitude is Still Everything
The workspaces of the world will have to wait a long time before they are anything like we remember them. However, one thing that hasn’t changed is the need for a positive and safe work environment. Your desk may have a new cleaning routine, but knowing that your space at work is clean and not a haven for germs will make you feel better and more positive about going back in.