How A Clean Office Can Boost Productivity

In our continuing series of office cleanliness, Baam Industrial Cleaning conducted additional research to understand how employee contributions to a clean office space can increase productivity. Our findings reveal that when employees implement basic cleaning and regular sanitizing practices at the office, that environment positively affects employee productivity and well-being. Between professional cleaning visits, here are 10 practical, actionable tips for businesses to maintain cleanliness that will directly and indirectly impact productivity:

• Encourage employees to take small, consistent steps each day. Wipe down desks, keyboards, and mice with disinfectant wipes, and keep high-touch areas (like door handles, light switches, and shared equipment) sanitized. These simple actions reduce germ spread and keep your office looking its best (2, 7, 4).

2. Keep Cleaning Supplies Accessible

• Place cleaning caddies or baskets stocked with disinfectant sprays, paper towels, trash bags, and hand sanitizer in common areas such as break rooms, kitchens, and reception desks. Easy access encourages everyone to clean up minor spills and messes immediately (3, 2, 5).

3. Promote a Clean Desk Policy

• A clutter-free workspace is easier to maintain and supports focus and efficiency. Encourage employees to organize their desks at the end of each day, file away documents and store personal items in designated bins or cabinets (1, 8, 3).

4. Assign Cleaning Responsibilities

• Divide cleaning tasks among employees or teams using a shared checklist. Assign specific duties such as wiping down common surfaces or tidying the break room. Rotating these responsibilities prevents burnout and ensures everyone contributes to a cleaner environment (5, 2, 3).

5. Use a Cleaning Checklist

• Implement a digital or printed checklist that outlines daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. For example, daily tasks might include vacuuming high-traffic areas and sanitizing surfaces, while weekly tasks could involve dusting shelves and deep-cleaning kitchen appliances. Monthly or quarterly tasks might focus on deep cleaning carpets, windows, and vents. However, these types of burdensome tasks are ussually outsourced to professional cleaning companies, like Baam Industrial Cleaning (0, 2, 6, 3).

6. Encourage Clean-As-You-Go Habits

• Foster a culture where employees are expected to tidy up after themselves. Promptly clean up spills, dispose of waste properly, and keep shared spaces organized. A “clean as you go” mindset makes maintaining cleanliness everyone’s responsibility (2, 7, 8).

7. Prioritize High-Traffic and Common Areas

• Reception areas, kitchens, and restrooms require extra attention. Disinfect these spaces daily and ensure surfaces are free from clutter. The “eye-level test” is a helpful reminder: if a visitor can see it, it should be clean (2, 3, 4).

8. Maintain Good Hygiene Practices

• Encourage frequent handwashing and the use of hand sanitizer. Provide sample handwashing instructions on the walls of the restrooms. Additionally, remind staff to keep their workstations and shared equipment clean (8, 7, 4). Remember, with fewer communicable diseases being transmitted, there is less sickness, PTO requests and MORE productivity!

9. Organize and Declutter Regularly

• A well-organized office is easier to keep clean. Set aside time each month to declutter storage rooms, filing cabinets, and shared spaces. This prevents dust buildup and makes cleaning more efficient (1, 8, 3).

10. Communicate the Value of Cleanliness

• Share the benefits of a clean office—such as improved health, productivity and morale — with your team. When everyone understands the impact of their efforts, they’re more likely to stay committed to maintaining a clean environment (5, 7, 1).