Offices can quickly become breeding grounds for allergens, especially in today's fast-paced work environment. These allergens negative affect the health of your employees, reducing productivity and increasing absenteeism. Mites, mould spurs, and other common allergens can trigger respiratory issues and allergies.
With the right cleaning strategy in place, you can reduce office allergens.
Common Office Allergens
It's important to have a good understanding of the common office allergens in order to effectively reduce and deal with them. Allergens cause allergic reactions. Reactions can range from mild symptoms, like sneezing, to severe reactions, such as asthma attacks.
- Dust mites – microscopic creatures that live in humid environments, thrive in office with poor ventilation. Feed on dead skin cells with their waste particles triggering allergic reactions
- Mould – mould spores thrive in damp and poorly ventilated areas, such as bathrooms. Mould can result in respiratory issues, skin reactions, and other allergic reactions
- Pollen – finds its way into the office through open doors and windows. Pollen can come from flowers, grass, and trees, triggering allergic reactions
Regular Cleaning to Reduce Office Allergens
Regular cleaning is essential to maintain a clean and healthy work space. When you effectively remove allergens, you prevent allergic reactions, respiratory issues, and absenteeism.
How does regular cleaning reduce office allergens?
- Controls allergens – regular cleaning eliminates common allergens, reducing the risk of reactions and problems. Vacuuming carpets and upholstery helps remove dust mites
- Prevent the spread of illness – office harbour germs and bacteria, regular cleaning helps prevent the spread of illness in the office.
- Professional image – when your office is gleaming and hygienic, it promotes a professional office, while enabling customers to visit without the risk of allergies
Where Allergens are Hiding in Your Office
Before you can reduce office allergens with effective cleaning, you need to identify what areas to focus on. The most common areas include:
- Carpeting – carpets harbour dust mites, pollen, and other allergens. Vacuum regularly to reduce allergens building up
- Upholstery – upholstery such as sofas and office chairs can trap allergens. Regular vacuuming, spot cleaning, along with deep upholstery cleaning helps reduce allergens
- Air vents – dust, mould, and other allergens can accumulate in air vents, circulating the allergens through the office. Regularly inspect and clean air vents to improve indoor air quality
- Office kitchens / break rooms – spills, crumbs, and food attracts pests, which can trigger allergens. These areas must be kept clean and sanitised at all times
- Work desks – cluttered desks collect dust, making cleaning challenging. Encourage employees to keep a clean desk policy, free from clutter
Effective Cleaning Practices to Reduce Allergens
Maintaining a clean and healthy office is essential to reducing allergens. Implement effective cleaning practices to reduce allergens in your office space:
- Dust – regular dusting is essential to remove dust and mites from accumulating on surfaces
- Vacuum – regular vacuuming helps to remove allergens fro carpeting
- Mopping – hard surfaces can also harbour allergens. Floors should be mopped regularly to remove dirt and dust
- Air vents – these should be cleaned regularly to prevent the build up of allergens
- Upholstery – washing blinds and upholstery regularly is an effective way to reduce allergens
Conclusion
When you maintain a clean and healthy office environment, you reduce allergens in the work place. Knowing the common office allergens, identifying problem areas and then effectively cleaning these areas, helps you create a healthy office for employees and visitors. If you need help with your office cleaning, get in touch with Sloane Cleaning Services today.
