Considering 80% of communicable diseases are passed on through touch, it’s no surprise that offices have their fair share of bacteria hotspots that can spread germs.
Research published on medical site Web MD has revealed the top 10 bacteria infested danger spots in the office. If you’re currently having a working lunch at your desk, this could put you off your food!
Various surfaces were swabbed and tested for bacteria using relative light unit readings to measure the level of biological activity in the sample. The higher the reading, the more bacteria was present, with any reading higher than 50 being a fail.
1. Office door handle - RLU reading 648
Office door handles top the list because they’re used by everyone to move around the workplace, including employees and visitors. The more people who walk through, the greater the variety of bacteria that can accumulate and be passed on.
2. Office sink - RLU reading 487
The wide variety of different food residues and the number of people using the sink combine to make it the second dirtiest place in the office. The part that harbours most germs is the tap faucet, because everyone touches it.
3. Microwave oven door - RLU reading 408
Many people heat their lunch up in a microwave oven, with each person touching the door several times to open and close it. The handle is one of the dirtiest parts, with more than 50% of those tested containing high levels of living organisms.
4. Mobile phone - RLU reading 345
Office mobile phones harbour germs because they are handled often and come into contact with our hands, face and mouth frequently. When used often, the microprocessor can generate heat, creating a warm environment where bacteria can thrive.
5. Office kettle - RLU reading 288
Like microwave ovens, office kettles are touched frequently by many different people (who may have food residue on their hands) during the day. The handles are seldom wiped because they tend to be overlooked when not obviously dirty.
6. Tap in the toilets - RLU reading 239
The one thing in the bathroom that’s extremely dirty is the tap, due to something called the “toilet sneeze effect”. When the toilet is flushed, a burst of air containing moisture, germs and bacteria is released, settling on surfaces. The sink and taps can become a breeding ground for germs, because people tend to clean the toilet more often than sinks due to its obvious association with being dirty.
7. Office chair - RLU reading 222
Many office workers sit down on an office chair all day and seldom move, especially if they’re busy and take a working lunch too. Each chair can get dirty from food crumbs, hair and minute particles of skin.
8. Toilet seat - RLU reading 209
Surprisingly, the toilet seat harbours less bacteria than the sink and taps, due to the aforementioned reason that it tends to be cleaned more often than bathroom fittings considered “clean” already.
9. Kitchen fridge - RLU reading 195
The office fridge can be highly unhygienic if it isn’t cleaned often enough, especially if food is allowed to go off or leak. Many different people open and close the fridge door during the day and don’t always wash their hands before eating sandwiches.
10. Desk phone - RLU reading 193
Your office phone is slightly less germ ridden than a mobile, but with an average 25,000 germs per square inch, it can still spread bacteria, especially if several people use it.
While the computer keyboard is at number eleven, with an RLU reading of 176, it’s still worth a mention, as so many people eat at their desk. It’s breathed on, sneezed on and probably has drinks and food spilled on it, so it can harbour plenty of germs.
How to deep clean an office
The best solution to combat germs is to carry out a regular office cleaning routine, drawing up a checklist to ensure the bacteria hotspots are kept in pristine condition. While regular cleaning should take place every day, with the Christmas break approaching, this is the perfect opportunity to deep clean your office to ensure a fresh start when you return to work in the new year.
Cleaning products for offices are important, as using high quality anti-bacterial solutions will give you the best chance of blitzing the bacteria. Choose a reputable supplier of office cleaning supplies , as reducing the amount of bacteria is the best way to combat the spread of germs and diseases.
Start by decluttering every space, from desks, floors and filing cabinets to all shared spaces, throwing away junk. Unplug computers, phones and any electronic devices, pull the desks out and clean behind and underneath them. Dust around the ceilings, lighting fixtures and doorways, disinfect door frames, blinds, shelves, window sills, walls and radiators, vacuum carpets and mop hard floors. If the carpets look stained, shampoo them with an industrial carpet cleaner.
How to clean keyboard
Clean computer monitors, keyboards and phones carefully so as not to damage delicate components. Clean keyboards by dipping a cotton bud in an appropriate cleaning solution and wiping gently between the keys.
Spray disinfectant onto a cloth to wipe the top of the keyboard, ensuring it’s moist, but not soaking wet. Sanitise phones, monitors and desks by wiping them with anti-bacterial cleaning products. Don’t forget to lift computer mouse mats and clean under them, as they can harbour crumbs.
The final task before the Christmas break should be to empty all the bins and make sure no rubbish is left in the office to fester until January.
Office cleaning tips
Considering office door handles are the most bacteria infested spots, ask cleaning staff to wipe down and sanitise them at least once a day. Bacteria can build up quite quickly, so wash your hands regularly during the day with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds each time.
Always wash your hands before eating and if there are towels, tea towels and cloths for communal use in the kitchen, make sure they are washed often and not left lying around wet.
Everyone became more hygiene conscious during the Covid-19 pandemic and there were bottles of hand sanitiser next to workplace doors and in every shared bathroom. It’s a sensible idea to continue this practice, considering how easy it is for bacteria to spread. If germs are prevalent in your office, this increases the likelihood of employees going off sick, ultimately reducing productivity and impacting the business.
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