Most times, we don’t realize the importance of cleaning office furniture. With the right cleaning tools, we can keep the frequently used furniture germ-free. The office sofas, chairs, tables, and cupboards are what we touch and use the most in an office. They are also some of the places where microbes and germs are found. If you don’t clean your furniture correctly and regularly, these germs can cause sickness and the spread of viruses. We may not see it to the eye but cleansing your office furniture is essential.
Let’s look at a few reasons as to why one needs to clean furniture:
Basically, to get rid of bacteria and germs that can spread diseases. Mainly during these Covid-19 times where health and safety are vital.
When your furniture is dirty, the chances of attracting rodents such as rats or mice are higher. Food scraps that one spills and doesn’t clean up are a rodent’s dream. Also, they end up coming for food and destroying the furniture instead. Further clean furniture helps preserve its longevity and wear and tear. It can be costly to replace office furniture.
Now that we know the downside of unclean furniture let’s learn how we can rectify this situation. It’s pretty straightforward. Regular cleaning, good furniture cleaning tools and proper techniques will have your office rid of germs and dirt on furniture in no time.
Yes, you probably have a cleaning staff that does the office’s general sweeping and day-to-day cleaning. Maybe you have rules that require staff to keep their workspaces clean and tidy. However, it is always safe and valuable to know how to clean furniture and schedule a specific cleaning program for the best outcomes.
There is always the choice of getting a professional cleaning service to tend to your furniture cleaning needs. Star Shining Facility Solutions is Melbourne’s favourite professional cleaning service. Their cleaners come well equipped with the skills and knowledge required for a thorough cleaning job.
Cleaning your furniture
There are many excellent solutions and tips for keeping chairs, sofas, tables, and other office furniture clean and germ-free.
First, let’s make a checklist of the cleaning tools you need:
- Cleaning / Disinfectant Spray
- Soap and Water solution
- Microfiber Cloth
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Sanitizing Wipes
- Gloves, Masks and Eye-protection
- Soft Brush
Other DIY Products:
Distilled White Vinegar: This is a natural disinfectant. Spray the liquid onto a rag and wipe down things such as keyboards or other high touch points on your desk.
Dish Soap: A mixture of dish soap and lukewarm water in a spray bottle can be used to wipe down chairs. This is a mild yet effective solution.
Rubbing Alcohol: Treat stains on chairs with rubbing alcohol. Best for spot treatments but remember to remove any residue with a damp cloth as an alcohol-based cleaner can be strong on specific fabrics.
Baking Soda: An easy and relatively cheap remedy in cleaning stains, smells and it is chemical-free.
Lemon Juice / Slices: This is perfect for adding some freshness to the office.
Ammonia: This method helps clean, disinfect and is an anti-bacterial agent. A mix of ammonia and vinegar in a 1:3 ratio is another ideal cleaning solution. But on a side note, never mix ammonia and bleach.
These too can be used as cheap alternatives for cleaning solutions that can help get rid of germs and spruce up your furniture.
Remember
Before you start cleaning, be sure to wear the appropriate gloves and protective eye gear. Even a mask is helpful if you’re sensitive when handling strong solutions. These precautions will help you clean your furniture correctly and keep you safe while doing the job.
Clean a Chair Professionally
The chair is where we tend to spend most time of our day at the office. We hardly realize how much dirt, sweat and gunk can accumulate on the chairs after all those long hours at work sitting in front of the computer. We may vacuum the carpets and wipe down our computers, but sometimes overlook the chair that we sit on.
This is why cleaning your chair at work appropriately is essential. First off, thorough vacuuming of the chair is needed. No part should be left untouched, and even the wheels and hard-to-reach spaces need to be cleaned. For the nooks and crannies of your chair, you could clear it out with a can of compressed air or a duster.
Once the dust and lint have been removed, it’s time to wipe the chair down with a solution. This could be anything you prefer, from “diy” solutions mentioned above to simple dish soap and water or even commercial disinfectant cleaners. Pick your choice of the cleaning mixture. Use a bowl or even a spray bottle and wipe down the entire surface of the chair. It’s as simple as that. Make sure to coat the surface but not overdo it as that can damage the chair.
Then you’re onto the last part of your cleaning process. Use a fresh, damp cloth to wipe away any remaining soap residue. Don’t forget to finish off with a dry clean cloth on those hard surfaces of the chair. This is best for those armrests and chair legs that need a final wipe down.
Lastly, don’t forget to let the chair fully dry before using it again. A hairdryer on a cool setting or even a wet/dry vacuum would help speed the process of drying your chair. Otherwise, good old-fashioned air drying is the way to go.
For tough stains, a spot treatment is best. This may need a more robust cleaning solution rather than dish soap and water. An alcohol-based cleaner or a specific stain cleaning solution is the way to go and may take a couple of tries to get rid of those tough stains. But use this type of cleaner in small amounts and make sure the cleaning product won’t harm the chair’s fabric. A small spot test is best on the underside of the chair.
Expert Sofa Cleaning
Cleaning a sofa requires dedication to get it right. It’s not complicated and is quite simple. However, one must be careful. Sofas come in various materials and textures, so it is essential to be gentle and not harsh when cleaning, as you can damage the fabric.
Firstly, as always, vacuuming is key. Make sure you dust off and vacuum any crumbs, dirt, or dust that may be lodged in its crevices. Use the appropriate vacuum cleaning nozzle for this job.
Then move on to wiping the sofa down with a damp cloth. This helps remove any tea or coffee stains that may have collected over time.
A cleaning agent such as an appropriate fabric cleaner or upholstery cleaner is ideal for fighting off any tough stains. All this can be done using a cloth, sponge and cleaner. Be sure to carefully rub the solution on the spots, let it dry for a bit and then brush off any residue.
Tips to Clean your Desk!
Let’s move on to the desk. Yes, it may be full of clutter, or if you’re someone who is organized, you may have a neat and tidy desk. However, when cleaning the table to get rid of germs, everything should be dusted, cleaned, and wiped down regularly if possible.
Start by switching off and unplugging all electronic items on the table. The office equipment that is most often used can be wiped down with the help of disinfectant wipes. This includes things such as pens, pencils, staplers, calculators, and other frequently used items that tend to get borrowed or touched regularly.
If you have photo frames, calendars, small potted plants, and lamps on your desk, those items should be wiped down and then allowed to dry before placing them back on the desk.
Pen holders and files, and desk organizers can be cleaned using a solution of mild dish soap and warm water. Don’t forget to air-dry them well.
All high touch points of your desk should be dusted and then wiped down with a cleaning solution and appropriately dried so as not to stain or damage the table.
Once this is done, and your desk is clean, you can place everything back. While you’re at it, dusting your electronic equipment and getting rid of unnecessary junk on the desk can be helpful. With the desk clean and organized, getting back to work should be a breeze.
Happy Cleaning and Stay Safe!
Now that we know how to keep your furniture clean, all you need to do is follow-through. These few steps are bound to help keep your workspace clean and germ-free. A quick tip to helping keep your office safe is to teach your employees how they too can keep their workstations and chairs clean and rid of germs. After all, a healthy employee is vital for a productive office.
For an extra professional deep clean of your office furniture, there is always the option of getting a professional cleaning crew to help you out. Doing this a few times a year is recommended. Till then, stay germ-free and safe by following the above tips.