Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the germiest and dirtiest places in the office.

Computer keyboards

Keyboards can be one of the dirtiest places in the office, not only because we’re constantly touching them, but because food and dust can fall beneath the keys and fester. Regularly cleaning the keyboard with a special brush and cleaning fluid designed for electronics can help to tackle this problem.

Water cooler

The water cooler can be a popular spot to grab some water and have a chat with colleagues but, with a considerable number of hands touching the cooler on a daily basis, it can be easy for germs to accumulate here. If the water cooler isn’t disinfected regularly and glasses cleaned in warm soapy water, germs can easily be spread.

The kitchen sink (and sponge)

The kitchen area can easily harbour dirt and germs, especially when food remnants aren’t quickly cleared. These crumbs and splatters are a breeding ground for bacteria, some of which can be pretty harmful. What’s more, kitchen dish sponges can also be very dirty – often they are left damp and can be prone to mould as well as housing bacteria. One study found that 20% of ‘cleaned’ mugs had traces of coliform bacteria and, after wiping with a communal dish sponge, another 20% tested positive for E.coli.

Desk phones

Office telephones receive a lot of use and can quickly become dirty, particularly if they are shared. Have you ever seen someone cough or sneeze whilst on the phone and then simply replace the receiver? This is a sure way for viruses to spread. Make sure you disinfect the handset and buttons regularly to keep phones clean.

Refrigerator

Practically everyone in the office will open the refrigerator at some point during the day, but few will think about cleaning it. Germs can be quickly transferred to the fridge handle and passed on to the next few people to get out the milk for their coffee. With germs and bacteria able to linger on surfaces, the handle should be cleaned daily. What’s more, in communal kitchens food can easily be forgotten about and left to breed bacteria. It’s a good idea to have a system where unclaimed food is regularly thrown away and the fridge interior is cleaned.

Photocopier/printer

An office photocopier or printer is another prime example of a spot which accumulates germs due to regular use from a multitude of people. The equipment would benefit from daily disinfecting and, during cold and flu season, you may want to consider using hand sanitiser after operation.  

Toilet door handle

This seems like an obvious germ zone but you’d be surprised how many people overlook the door handle. Although you may wash your hands after using the toilet, other people may not and you can pick up germs from the handle as soon as you go to exit the room. All bathroom handles should be on your contract cleaner’s daily schedule for disinfecting to help curb germs.

Coffee pot/machine

With coffee fueling many an office, it’s likely the coffee pot or machine will be heavily used throughout the day by most people in your office. As well as the germs transferred from many different hands, due to the warm environment, coffee machines can also be susceptible to mould. With one study finding that the average coffee pot handle had 34 times more bacteria present than a school toilet seat, you’ll want to make sure this spot benefits from a regular cleaning schedule.

Microwave

The microwave experiences the same problems that other kitchen appliances suffer from when it comes to germs. With many different people using the microwave, germs can easily be transferred from hands to handle, then on to the next user. The potential for contamination doesn’t just stop there though. If you’ve ever given the inside of your office microwave a good look, you’ll likely notice all manner of splashes and food remnants. Particles of old, festering food could easily dislodge and get into uncovered food being heated, contaminating it. Ensure the microwave isn’t passed by during cleaning.

Door handles

Door handles across your office are a key spot which should be given cleaning attention on a daily basis. From entryway doors to meeting room doors, these are spots handled by multiple people every day. One study found that, after placing a virus on one of an office’s entrance door handles, approximately 60% of staff had traces of the virus on their hands within 4 hours. This plainly demonstrates how quick and easily viruses can be spread without sufficient cleaning care.

The problem with germs is that they can easily go unnoticed, due to being an invisible kind of dirt. It is, therefore, important to hire a thorough cleaning company, such as JMS Cleaning, who can keep your premises spick and span. Using professional equipment, an experienced team and tried and tested methods, we carry out consistently high quality contract cleans. If you have enquiries, don’t hesitate to contact us today – we offer cleaning contracts across the North West, including Cheshire, Stockport and Manchester.

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With offices only growing in size, it’s becoming more and more important to maintain a high level of cleanliness. The more people moving in, out and around the office, the higher the chances of dirt, grime, clutter and general unpleasantness, and this can quickly add up to pose a serious health risk if left unchecked.

In this article, we’re looking at five of the main dangers that present themselves in an unclean workspace, highlighting the importance of a regular, meticulous cleaning schedule.

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1. Germs and bacteria

Lazy or sloppy cleaning practices can lead to the fast growth, and propagation, of germs and harmful bacteria in the office. Germs can potentially thrive anywhere throughout the working environment.

From stained desktops, carpets, tiled floors and door handles, to kitchen tops, cups and cutlery, failing to keep the entirety of your office clean means encouraging germs and bacteria to thrive, and this can cause widespread and prolonged illness for a large portion of your workforce.

Use antibacterial cleaning products to kill germs, and make sure to encourage healthy cleaning habits for all of your workers, in public kitchen and eating spaces and personal desk spaces, alike.

2. Mould

The growth of mould occurs when excessive moisture is left to accumulate, whether it’s from water vapour or from spillages that haven’t been cleaned up properly. Just like at home, mould in the office is more likely to develop in areas where water and moisture is common.

The kitchen and toilets are the main culprits, and these are two areas which office workers often fail to keep sufficiently clean. Mould poses many health hazards, from itchiness and skin/throat irritation, to  the formation of rashes, allergic reactions and respiratory problems.

Prevent mould throughout your office by making sure that the kitchen and toilets are cleaned thoroughly, with any spillages or puddles wiped up immediately, and floors and walls wiped dry.

3. Clutter

It’s not just viruses and illnesses you have to watch out for in a dirty office, the presence of clutter can be just as harmful to employees.

Firstly, a cluttered office transmits an unprofessional and lazy atmosphere, which will be a detriment to your overall business reputation.

Secondly, strewn clutter along corridors, behind doors, next to desks, in meeting rooms and elsewhere creates serious trip hazards for employees. Clumsily-placed boxes, coats and bags can obscure fire exits and will make the entire office more difficult and more dangerous to navigate.

Clearing up clutter is a vital part of keeping your office clean and safe, and should never be overlooked.

4. Morale

Simply put, a dirty office is an unpleasant place to work. A clean working environment will go a long way towards keeping your employees happy, productive and motivated day to day.

Open plan office designs are incredibly popular nowadays, but they do come with the consequence of showcasing any unclean habits your employees might have.

Tidy workers will be dismayed if they are surrounded by dirt, clutter, spillages or stains, and a negative atmosphere can quickly circulate throughout the office if it isn’t kept regularly clean.

Sooner rather than later, you’ll see this affecting your business as a whole.

5. Sick leave

As we’ve said in previous points, there are a number of health hazards associated with an unclean office. From niggling irritations to more severe respiratory problems and outbreaks of flu, a dirty office environment can force large numbers of staff to take more sick days than they usually would.

Employee absence can bring any business grinding to a halt, particularly when it becomes a regular occurrence because you haven’t taken the proper steps to keep your workplace hygienic.

Professional, periodic cleaning of your office space will dramatically improve the base level of cleanliness in the workplace, keeping employees healthier for longer, so they can carry on working hard without risking their own personal health day after day.

Read more about our office cleaning services →

JMS Cleaning offer daily office cleaning and deep cleans throughout the North West. Our expert team of cleaners are fully equipped and experienced to carry out thorough and effective cleaning treatments to any office, covering every nook and cranny using high grade equipment and techniques.

To find out more about our office cleaning services don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team today.

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This month, we’re taking a look at the dirtiest areas of the school, and why dedicated school cleaning is essential for any educational facility.

Lunchroom

The cafeteria is a popular congregation spot for students and teachers alike, and becomes a hive of activity every lunchtime. Naturally, the presence of so many different foods and drink – along with hundreds of people – brings with it muck and dirt of all kinds. Muddy shoes, spills and stains on the floor and table surfaces, germs transmitted through coughs, sneezes, as well as all the grease and substances generated by the school kitchen, the lunchroom is a base for bacteria, and without thorough, daily cleaning will likely be one of the most unhealthy places to be in the school.

Classroom

There are plenty of opportunities in the classroom for germs to thrive and transfer. Desks and chairs are used by many different students throughout the day, and pupils will be bringing in with them any mud or dirt they may have picked up from the outside – via their shoes, clothes or backpacks. Germs will steadily build up throughout the school day, on desktop surfaces and doorknobs especially, while carpets can also retain much of the dirt that is trailed inside from lesson to lesson. It’s easy for germs to transfer between students, through shared space and equipment, so your classrooms should be one of the most important targets for regular, professional cleaning.

Nursery

After school clubs and dedicated pre-school nurseries can be the source of a surprising amount of germs and bacteria, mainly due to the fact that younger children are much less likely to understand – or be aware of – personal hygiene. All the toys, games and playtime equipment are shared constantly by toddlers, and it’s impossible to always control or regulate their use. This leads to toy-blocks, action figures, dolls and many other small, handheld playthings being nibbled, sucked, chewed or otherwise contaminated by the children at play. Combine that with things like unshielded coughs and sneezes, and you have a recipe for one of the most germ filled areas of the school.

Dedicated nursery cleaning is vital to maintain a high level of hygiene for children, teachers and parents alike.

Corridors and hallways

The main thoroughfares of any schools, the hallways and corridors pupils travel through – and generally loiter and mess around in – are filled with spots which constantly attract dirt and germs. Door handles are a main culprit, openly exposed to hundreds of pupils and teachers at all times, as are things like lockers, hand rails and even the walls themselves.

Perhaps to your surprise, drinking fountains are also a main source of germs, potentially hosting over 2,500,000 bacteria per square inch. Kids can avoid suffering any ill effects by not touching the spigot while taking a drink, and letting the water run for a few seconds before gulping anything down.

Regular cleaning and disinfection of the school hallways and corridors – and everything that encompasses – is vital for the prolonged hygiene of the school environment. Foot traffic is constant, and without regular cleaning, germs and nasty bacteria will generate and thrive wherever they can.

JMS Cleaning provide professional school and nursery cleaning services to schools of any size. Our experienced team work with the highest quality products and equipment to create a clean, hygienic environment suitable for children of all ages. For more information on our dedicated cleaning services, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team today.

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Here at JMS Cleaning Services, our team have a wealth of experience cleaning schools and day nurseries to a high quality.

We specialise in Day Nursery Cleaning, if you need our help, give us a call on [ld_default] for a quote today!

We’ve listed some of the reasons why regular cleaning for a day nursery is essential below.

Covid-19 School Safety

To prevent the spread of Covid-19, it is important that all staff and students can wash / sanitise their hands regularly. Be sure to have sanitising stations or pumps around the school.

The Government have said that the use of face coverings by staff and pupils in some schools, and to learners in further education is mandatory. Children aged 12 and over should wear a mask under the same conditions as adults.

– Wash your Hands, Wear a Mask and Social Distance.

See more Government information.

Clean environment

Regular cleaning of your day nursery will ensure there is a consistently tidy, hygienic environment. Regardless of the health benefits of a clean nursery, regular maintenance makes it an overall better place for the children to spend their day in, and for staff to work in.

– Clean workplaces, schools, and nurseries all promote a more welcoming, positive atmosphere, so employing cleaning services to keep your day nursery spick and span will make everyone happier to be there.

Food safety

It can be difficult to keep track of all the children in a day nursery, and to make sure they are washing their hands at appropriate times. This can often lead to food becoming contaminated, or surfaces used to prepare food not being clean.

Having a regular cleaning service will ensure surfaces are frequently cleared of bacteria and stay hygienic for food to be prepared on or eaten off.

– With young children particularly susceptible to illness or even food poisoning from bacteria picked up when handling improperly prepared food, it is essential that these areas are kept clean constantly.

Infection prevention

Young children and babies are vulnerable to germs, lacking the immune systems that enable adults to easily fight off germs that can be picked up from food and surfaces and transmitted through the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Germs picked up by young children in the day nursery could quickly lead to infection and illness, so it’s essential that the environment is kept clean and germ-free.

– Our regular cleaning service sanitizes every surface, ensuring that germs that may be found throughout the day nursery are eradicated, preventing infection to the children.

Professional cleaning

Your employees may not have the time or the adequate training to ensure your day nursery is cleaned thoroughly and on a regular basis. This is essential to ensure the spread of infection and illness to young children is eliminated, so the best course of action is to hire a professional cleaning service to take the burden off your staff.

We specialise in Day Nursery Cleaning, if you need our help, give us a call on [ld_default] for a quote today!

Our team provide a consistent high quality clean to your premises, and our flexible schedules mean we can fit in with your requirements. Get in touch with us today for more information, and we’ll be more than happy to help.

The post The Importance of Regular Cleaning for Day Nurseries appeared first on JMS Cleaning Services.

It’s easy for illness and germs to spread quickly around an office environment with many people, so keeping on top of the office cleaning through a professional commercial cleaning service is important to ensure a healthy and tidy working environment. We’ve listed just a few of the many benefits of having a tidy office space below!

Prevents Illness Spreading

Studies have shown that bacteria can spread rapidly around offices, with the majority of germs found in communal areas such as kitchens, on door handles and on light switches. If this is not monitored then illness can quickly spread around everyone using the premises, which can only be bad for business! A frequently cleaned office keeps bacteria at bay.

Less Stress

Messy desks can lead to you not being able to find the right notes, and feeling terribly unorganised! A clean space will allow you to relax knowing that everything is in it’s rightful place and easily accessible should you need it.

Increased efficiency

Office cleaning provides staff with a tidy workplace that in turn, maximises productivity. It has been proven that a clean working environment enables workers to focus on their daily tasks more efficiently and without distraction. Messy desks, on the other hand, can hinder people from working and lead to increased procrastination instead.

Better professional reputation

A clean and tidy office can make a huge impression on visitors and clients as soon as they’ve stepped through the door. Investing in a professional cleaning services ensures your business’ reputation stays as sparkling as the kitchen floor.

Less Safety Risks

Not only can an untidy office potentially spread germs and illness, but it could also present the risk of safety, too. Loose carpet tiles, dangerously stacked paperwork and messy kitchens can all pose a risk to staff, these should be regularly looked after and monitored to ensure everything is functioning safely.

Here at JMS Cleaning, we offer bespoke cleaning services to suit each client’s individual needs. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and we’ll be happy to help.

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Businesses are required by law to follow good food hygiene practices to prevent food contamination. This includes keeping your premises clean, preventing airborne contamination and providing adequate handwashing facilities for staff.

The only way to ensure that your commercial catering area is kept clean and fully compliant with regulations is to organise professional and regular cleaning from the experts.

Here at JMS Cleaning Services we provide Contract Cleaning services, and even One-Off Deep Cleans.

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However, there are a number of simple tasks that should be carried out each day whenever the kitchen has been in use.

Cleaning Tasks for a Commercial Kitchen:

Surfaces

Clean, then wipe with a bleach solution.

Equipment

If not thoroughly cleaned, components become a breeding ground for germs. Plastic and rubber components on smaller items, such as food processors and blenders, can be cleaned in a dishwasher if they are dishwasher safe. Compartments on bigger appliances, such as refrigerators, should be removed and washed where possible.

Plastic Food Storage Containers

These should be washed with hot water and disinfectant after each use.

Cleaning Cloths and Mops

Use a clean dishcloth daily. Also clean mops daily with a strong disinfectant.

Drains

Clean drains once a week by pouring a cup of hot water in followed by a cup of undiluted chlorine bleach a minute later and leave overnight.

Without regular cleaning, commercial kitchens become susceptible to a number of dangerous bacteria that can cause serious illness.

Dangerous Bacteria in Unclean Kitchens:

Covid-19

It is important that all staff and cooks in the kitchen wash their hands regularly with hand sanitiser, or disinfectant soap. Also, it would be advise that each member of staff that is working in the kitchen, or near it, to wear a face covering mask. See the Government advice.

Campylobacter

This is the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK, causing over 100 deaths a year. Most cases come from contaminated poultry, but campylobacter is also found in red meat, unpasteurised milk and untreated water. It spreads easily to other foods, causing illness.

Listeria Monocytogenes

This causes the most food poisoning deaths. It can be present in milk and foods made from raw milk and can contaminate processed meats. Unlike many other germs, it can grow even in a cold refrigerator.

E.coli

Some foods are contaminated with E. coli because they are not prepared or cooked properly. Common food types include; ground beef, unpasteurised milk and fresh produce.

Salmonella

This is a bacterial disease of the intestinal tract. People become infected mostly through contaminated water or foods, especially meat, poultry and eggs.

Having a professional clean your kitchen is a good way to prevent the spread of disease. JMS Cleaning Services have years of experience in providing kitchen hygiene cleans for all commercial catering environments.

Organising a regular professional clean is the only way to keep your kitchen in the best condition, and JMS can arrange a cleaning schedule that is sympathetic to the needs of your business. Get in touch today to find out more.

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