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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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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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.

Give us a call on [ld_default] for a quote today!

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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