The breakroom. It’s a space that many businesses provide for employees so they can make and eat their meals, take a break from their busy work day and socialize with their coworkers. However, because many employees are in and out of this space, potentially in a rush to get on to the next thing in their day, the break room is prone to being a messy space within any business. From accumulating food crumbs and spills to old food rotting in the fridge, the breakroom can quickly become a place employees avoid rather than enjoy.
In fact, studies have found that the typical break room is dirty and more germ-ridden than most bathrooms. How could that be? Well, the breakroom is used on a daily basis by many employees just as the restroom, however, it is cleaned and disinfected at a fraction of the time.
At ROC Commercial Cleaning, we’ve seen breakrooms in the best of shape and in the worst, and as cleaning experts, we are sharing some tips on what you can do to keep your company’s breakroom tidy, healthy, functional and stink-free.
Breakroom Cleaning Tips
Set Expectations
If your breakroom is always a mess, part of the problem could be that it’s just always been that way. If your staff and employees are not expected to clean up after themselves regularly, then the chances are good that some just won’t bother.
A couple of ways to address this include:
- Posting clear, friendly guidelines for breakroom etiquette.
- Establish specific rules like not leaving dirty dishes in the sink, wiping surfaces down after preparing or eating meals, and cleaning up after any spills.
Make expectations clear and distinguish that everyone should share the responsibility of maintaining a clean work environment. You’ll also want to encourage management to lead by example to show the importance of a clean break room.
Encourage a “Clean as You Go” Mentality
Relating to setting clear expectations, adopting a clean-as-you-go mentality is the way to address keeping the workplace mess-free. This applies not just to the breakroom but also to office spaces, warehouses, and many other work environments. Picking up any mess you make as you go about your day will prevent bigger messes from building up over time and keep employees positive and productive.
Stock Up on Cleaning Supplies
Another way to make it easy for employees to tidy up after themselves in the breakroom is to provide needed cleaning supplies. Make them easy to use and easily accessible, such as paper towels, multipurpose cleaners and disinfectant wipes. Keeping these items out on the counter rather than tucked away in a drawer will make staff more likely to use them when an inevitable spill happens.
6 Cleaning Tips for a Healthier Workplace
Setup a Regular Cleaning Schedule
Although most organizations do not expect your staff to do all of the extensive cleaning tasks such as sweeping, mopping and deep cleaning, setting up a regular breakroom cleaning schedule can make a huge difference. Implementing quick and easy-to-complete tasks on a recurring basis makes a significant difference in how clean your breakroom will be. Things like wiping down the coffee maker every Monday or quickly scrubbing out the sink on Wednesdays keep the breakroom from becoming a mess. Of course, hiring a professional janitorial cleaning provider, such as ROC Commercial Cleaning, is an ideal way to keep your breakroom in tip-top shape.
Related Read: How To Choose The Right Commercial Cleaning Company
Address the Fridge Situation
The refrigerator is a common cause of complaint for many businesses and their employees. Whether it’s food going missing or a disturbing aroma when opening the fridge door, setting expectations on communal refrigerator use can alleviate these problems. Establish a plan that works for your staff. Suggest labeling food and setting a designated “clean out” day each week to avoid expired items piling up. If you notice a problem with following these guidelines, post some tips for keeping food organized and remind employees to take home leftovers at the end of the week.
Following these breakroom cleaning tips can help your organization keep things clean in your workplace. But if you are still struggling or just need more support in keeping the other areas of your business clean, hiring a professional commercial cleaning company can help.
If you are in the Minneapolis – St. Paul Twin Cities, ROC Commercial Cleaning is a local professional cleaning partner you can count on. Ready to experience the difference? Contact our team today to get started with our professional cleaning services.
ROC Commercial Cleaning is your trusted Minneapolis commercial cleaning company. We provide janitor services for office buildings, medical and veterinary clinics, industrial buildings, and more. We also provide floor stripping and waxing, construction cleanup, and office disinfection services. ROC Commercial Cleaning is an experienced and reputable Minnesota corporate cleaning service provider – no job is too big or too small!
Get off the cleaning rollercoaster. Contact ROC Commercial Cleaning at 612-581-2776 for your free, no-obligation estimate.
