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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Although many germs will have little effect on your workforce, there are some nasty strains which can cause sickness and infections, resulting in preventable employee absenteeism. Read on to find out more about common germs that can be found in offices and the dangers they pose.

Most common office germs:

MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus)

MRSA is a type of bacteria which is resistant to many types of antibiotic. The bacteria can live on your skin harmlessly, only developing into infections if it gets deeper into your body, often through wounds. It can be transmitted through touching infected skin or contaminated items and surfaces. Symptoms include: skin bumps, abscesses or boils, redness, swelling, pus, aches and pains, high temperature.

C. diff (clostridium difficile)

C. diff is a kind of bacteria which infects the bowel. Often, C. diff can follow a course of antibiotics but can easily be spread from contact with contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include: diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea and dehydration.

Norovirus (stomach flu)

Norovirus is a very common stomach bug. There isn’t a cure for norovirus but symptoms should clear up in 2-3 days. It is highly infectious so you should stay home from work or school if contracted. Drink plenty of fluids, get plenty rest and take paracetamol to manage any pain. The main symptoms of norovirus are vomiting and diarrhoea, with some people also experiencing aching limbs, stomach cramps and a slight fever.

E. coli (escherichia coli)

E. coli is a contagious bacteria strain which can cause infection. It can be caught from products contaminated with faecal matter, as well as contaminated undercooked meat, raw dairy products and poorly treated water. The main symptom is severe diarrhoea, but vomiting and stomach cramps may also occur. Symptoms can last up to 2 weeks and can have more serious consequences for children and the elderly.

Salmonella

Salmonella bacteria is a cause of food poisoning. The bacteria can be found in farm animals therefore raw meat, poultry, eggs and milk can all be contaminated. Unwashed vegetables and fruit can sometimes become contaminated too. Pets, particularly reptiles, can also carry salmonella. Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps and sometimes a fever.

Flu (influenza)

Flu is a contagious virus which causes a variety of symptoms, primarily those involving the respiratory system. Flu is spread by contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces but can be prevented by the flu vaccine. Flu symptoms include: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, headaches, and more.

H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori)

H. pylori is a common form of bacteria which can be transmitted through contact with unsanitary surfaces and water. Symptoms can take a long time to develop but can include indigestion, gastritis and stomach ulcers.

Number of deaths mentioning the above germs:

• MRSA: 292
• C.diff: 1487
• Staphylococcus aureus (non-MRSA): 265

How to prevent germs from spreading

The spread of most germs can be prevented by these simple hygiene practices:

• Washing your hands thoroughly and regularly
• Practicing good food hygiene
• Sanitise surfaces regularly

Ensure your office is clean – get in touch with JMS Cleaning Services today to get a quote for cleaning your office.

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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.

Call us on [ld_default] for a quote.

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Illnesses such as colds are spread either through the air when someone sneezes or coughs, or they are passed on from surfaces through touch. As much as the ideal solution would be for people displaying cold-like symptoms to stay away from the office, in reality this is not going to happen. People feel the pressure of work, and are reluctant to take time off. In any case, people are usually contagious with the cold virus a couple of days before the symptoms display, so it may well be a moot point anyway.

The easiest way to prevent illness spreading is by using tissues when sneezing or coughing, and by regular hand washing. Whether with soap and water, or by keeping hand sanitiser by the desk, regular hand washing is seen as the key by many. Try to avoid touching the face, since your hands may have already touched an infected surface. When washing your hands, do so thoroughly, preferably for at least twenty seconds. Wash them in particular before and after eating, after visiting the rest-room, and after coughing , sneezing or blowing your nose.

Therefore keeping office surfaces clean is a very simple way of reducing the potential for colds to spread. Having cleaners that clean the office on a regular basis will help keep surfaces clear of infection that employees may otherwise come into contact with. A flu virus can remain on a surface for up to eight hours, while a cold virus can remain for three hours. Therefore keeping all surfaces such as desks, copiers, doorknobs, and keyboards clean is essential, and probably best done as part of a routine clean.

Of course there are many things that we can all do to help ourselves reduce the chance of becoming ill. Anything that helps bolster the immune system has to be a big plus. This includes diet – proper nutritious meals with plenty of leafy green vegetables. Exercise also helps boost the immune system, as does a good nights sleep.

It can be immensely frustrating and annoying when seeing fellow employees not following basic hygiene etiquette, such as holding their hand over the mouth when coughing. Yet even so there are still quite a few ways people can help minimise the chances of becoming ill themselves. Regular surface cleaning in the office, with regular hand washing, is a good basis to work from.

The best way to ensure that your office is free from germs is to have regular commercial office cleaning from experienced professionals. The team at JMS Cleaning Services are the leading providers of commercial office cleaning across the North West of England. Get in touch today to find out more.

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Stress-Free
Taking the worry out of office cleanliness is one of the major positive benefits of hiring a contract cleaner to take care of things for you. Instead of having to deal with the stress of who will clean the office next or why the person on the rota for this week has not done their share of the work, hiring a company to perform the task for you will prevent the aggravation building, and will allow you to focus more directly on the job at hand.

Office cleaning by a third party will more than pay for itself in terms of the renewed vigour felt by your employees after this laborious task is taken away from them. The heightened output of your staff will surely result in a boost in productivity, and the increase in profits that results will surely more than compensate for the cost of a cleaning service.

Hygiene
In today’s world of hyper-cleanliness and antibacterial everything, the majority of the population have some kind of allergy due to an overactive immune system. Even the slightest amount of dust or dirt can set of an unpleasant hay-fever-like reaction in some employees. For this reason, hiring a company to keep your office looking clean and fresh will also allow your staff to work in a much more pleasant environment, free from allergens such as excessive dust and hair. As well as the benefits of a clean office to the health of your employees, working in a clean environment is a great motivational tool, and will allow your staff to work much more diligently at the task at hand without being distracted by endless mess and grime.

Company Image
Finally, although cleanliness often goes unnoticed, untidiness certainly does not. Although maintaining a spotless office sometimes seems like a thankless task, keeping the mess under control prevents both clients and staff from getting the wrong impression about your work ethic and business model. A messy office often indicates an unprofessional attitude, so make sure to keep the work areas in your company spick and span so that people get the right idea about your company when paying a visit.

JMS Cleaning Services
With the tips outlined above, you can’t help but see the benefits of hiring a contract cleaning service to give your office the once-over each week. Here at JMS, we have over a decade’s worth of experience in providing the highest level of contract office cleaning to customers throughout the North West.

Our expert team will work closely with you to draw up a cleaning schedule that’s tailored to the needs of your business, providing the flexibility to work around your operating hours and offering highly competitive rates.

For more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with JMS Cleaning Services today.

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