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Office Cleanliness Etiquette: Maintain Health and Hygiene at Work

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Office Cleanliness Etiquette: Maintain Health and Hygiene at Work

Some employees think that they are not responsible for cleanliness maintenance in the workplace. 

They don't clean after themselves when using the bathroom, even though, they use it daily.

They don’t understand that their inaction is also a form of action, which develops smells, dirt, or clutter in the office. This kind of working environment hurts absolutely everybody at work. 

What can you do about that to maintain good hygiene in the workplace?

Find below tips about how can you remind your employees about the necessity of following a cleanliness etiquette in the office.

The office cleanliness etiquette tips

When the employee makes a mess after using the bathroom or the kitchen they need to clean it.

How do you do that?

Install posters that would remind your employees about the cleanliness etiquette they need to follow. 

Kitchen cleaning etiquette

  • Wash and dry your own dishes.
  • Scrape uneaten food into the trash. Do NOT put food down the drain.
  • Reseal any uneaten food and store it neatly in the refrigerator.
  • Remove and throw away any expired food from the refrigerator.
  • Clean up the microwave after using it.
  • Clean up the spills on the floor to avoid fall incidents.
  • Don’t bring odorous foods at work and stock them in the fridge with other coworker's food.
  • Don’t leave your unwashed dishes in the sink. 

Office toilet etiquette

  • Flush the water after using the toilet to prevent unpleasant smell.
  • Don’t leave water droplets on the toilet seat.
  • Wash your hands with an antiseptic soap or sanitizer after using the restroom. Wipe off your hands with a tissue paper or towel.
  • Don’t spit, write names or make designs on toilet walls. It’s childish.
  • Don’t occupy the restroom for too long. Avoid using your phone inside the toilet. Do your thing and get out.
  • Don’t throw anything in the commode. Throw the tissue paper into the bins.
  • Don’t smoke inside the office restroom.
  • Switch the lights after leaving the office restroom.

I also want to share the this great office bathroom etiquette infographic I found on The Muse. Hope you find it useful. 

office bathroom etiquette

Office refrigerator rules

  • Remove rotting or spoiled food out of the refrigerator.
  • To easily find the food that belongs to you, label your lunch.
  • Wipe up any spills from the inside of the fridge.
  • Take home your leftovers home if your company has weekends off.

Cleaning sanitary bins

  • Empty the trash everyday.
  • Maintain separate dustbins for paper garbage and food waste.

Cleaning workstation etiquette

  • At the end of the working day, make sure to clean your desk area.
  • Throw excess paper, food wrapper and all other trash.
  • Wipe down the dust from your desktop with a clean microfiber cloth.
  • Clean and disinfect your keyboards, mice and telephones at least once a week.
  • Remove all unnecessary clutter off your working desk.

Eating etiquette at workplace

  • Don’t eat at your working desk if you have special eating facilities.
  • Don’t warm odorous foods in the microwave, like fish.
  • Any plates, bowls or silverware that haven’t been cleaned since your last meal should be taken to the kitchen.

How to remind your employees about office cleanliness

1. Write a memo email

Email is the easiest and the fastest way to remind your employees about the importance of following an etiquette that maintains the cleanliness in the office. 

Email allows you to send one single message two all employees with a single click.

2. Signs

Install signs or posters on the walls of the shared facilities reminding employees about behavior etiquette they need to follow to maintain the cleanliness in the respective facility.

3. Policy rules

Mention the behavior employees need to follow in an workplace hygiene policy. 

Having a hygiene policy at work allows you to address employees with hygiene issues from a company-wide perspective, which prevents the employee taking it personally. 

Conclusion

In the end, everyone wants to work in a clean environment. The more each staff member can do to keep their office clean, the better for everybody.

On the over hand, the effect of poor personal hygiene in the workplace will negatively impact your career.