6 SPRING Cleaning Tips for Your Office

The arrival of spring often motivates us to clean our homes and spruce up the yard. Why not do the same for your office? With long hours and hectic workdays, cleaning your office is typically not a top priority, but the resulting clutter and disorganization can definitely slow you down. Follow these SPRING cleaning tips for a fresher environment and a new outlook.

S – Schedule your clean-up advance. Even if your cleaning staff regularly wipes down desks, shelves and equipment, it’s your responsibility to keep your drawers and work area neat and tidy. Don’t worry. It needn’t be a daunting task if you schedule time in advance for a department-wide clean-up. The day before, have large waste receptacles and recycling bins delivered and encourage everyone to cull through old files and remove unused desk items. Make it fun with a casual day and a pizza lunch. While taking a few hours to clean will likely interrupt the work flow for the day, in the long run it will make you all much more efficient.

P – Pick up all the cleaning supplies and equipment you’ll need. Cleaning will go much smoother if you don’t need to search for rags and trash bags. Have everything at your fingertips with enough supplies for your entire department. Besides cleaning solutions and glass sprays, be sure to purchase any special monitor cleaners, canned air, and antibacterial wipes. And don’t forget a shredder for sensitive items like receipts, bank statements, or confidential client information.

R – Recycle or Donate. That old monitor and printer stored in the copy room for the last two years is taking up prime real estate. Go through the office and collect old electronics and extra still-usable supplies like tape dispensers, staplers, and task lights. If items are salvageable, donate them to a local non-profit, otherwise recycle them along with appropriate paper products.

I – Invest in new supplies. Now that drawers and cabinets are free of clutter, it’s time to restock. Make a department list of the frequently used items and be sure to include organizers for drawers and desktops as well. Having the right supplies at your fingertips will keep you focused on your work, not wasting time tracking down incidentals.

N – Neaten up your computer. Starting with the outside, wipe down the case and monitor using a soft cloth and recommended cleaner. We’re all guilty of eating at our desk, so remove grime and crumbs from your keyboard and mouse with a cotton swab. Finish off with a few puffs of canned air. Don’t forget the area around, under and behind your equipment where dust bunnies gather.

Next, clean the inside. Sift through emails, deleting unneeded files and organizing those you want to keep. Turn a critical eye to documents, photos, and files on your desktop. If you haven’t used or looked at them in a year, do you really need them front and center? Delete them or refile.

G – Get organized. Start with your filing system. While we each have our own way of organizing, in general it’s helpful to set up a system that includes four components:
1) An Inbox such as a letter tray for random items
2) A Review File for magazine articles or potential projects
3) A Tickler File for future action items
4) A Current Projects File often kept handy in a wire filing rack on the desktop

Next, think about your overall practices and procedures. Are there any new or simpler ways of doing things? This is a good time to re-evaluate and update. Maybe there’s a more efficient way to set up your office, conference room, copy room, or supply closet. Is your chair bothering your back? Replacing it needn’t be expensive. Sturdy, comfortable chairs can be found in all price ranges. If your office is large enough, sometimes all it takes is a rearrangement of furniture to help you retool.

Start spring with a fresh slate! A thorough cleaning always brings a renewed sense of optimism and freshness to your life. Boost your outlook and your productivity by sprucing up your office today!