Keeping your workplace clean is important for many reasons. Cleanliness is a huge factor in ensuring the health and safety of everyone who comes and goes in your office. A clean workplace has also been scientifically proven to boost mood and productivity.

The problem is that there are a lot of things that you can get wrong when it comes to DIY office cleaning. As such, it’s highly recommended to hire a professional cleaner to make things easier and ensure that everything is done correctly. For minor cleaning jobs or while waiting for the pros to arrive, however, here are some things that you should NOT be doing:

Using the Wrong Cleaning Tools

Different materials and surfaces require different cleaning tools and products. Using the wrong kind and/or amount can lead to damage. At the very least, the cleaning process won’t be as efficient and you also won’t get the desired results.

Ideally, you should wait for your office cleaners to come in to do the job so you don’t have to worry about making mistakes. However, there really are times when you have to handle the cleaning on your own. If that’s the case, don’t hesitate to ask the pros for some guidance.

Another good tip is quite simple but very effective, and that is to read the instructions on the product label. It contains not just the materials on which it is suitable, but also the right amount and how to use it.

Dry Dusting

Dry dusting isn’t exactly wrong, per se. Nevertheless, there are some instances in which using a damp cloth (ideally a microfibre one) is more effective. In particular, consider dampening your dusting cloth when dealing with a thick layer of dust or contending with dust and oil. The moistened fabric will work better than a dry one, which is likely to just push the dirt around rather than pick them up. Furniture polish is used sparingly and infrequently. Often times it can leave a greasy residue that only attracts dust. 

Scrubbing the Carpet

When you spill something on the carpet, your first instinct is to scrub it off. However, this can untwist and damage the fibers; you’re lucky if the material can spring back to its original form. If not, then you can say goodbye to your gorgeous, fluffy rug.

The best thing to do about carpet stains is to blot them with paper towels. Soak up as much of the liquid as possible, before applying your carpet cleaner. Again, don’t scrub! Let the cleaner sit for the recommended number of minutes and then blot it off. If the stain persists, repeat the process. As long as you don’t allow the stain to seep into the fibers, you likely won’t have to deal with long-term damage.

Cleaning Visible Areas Only

Spot cleaning is great for delicate clothes. In your office? Not so much. In fact, efficient and effective office cleaning requires you to be as thorough as possible.

Remember that an office has plenty of hidden areas where dust, dirt, and grime can accumulate. These include the undersides of tables, the spaces under furniture, and the individual slats of blinds. If you don’t clean every nook and cranny, you might invite bacteria, fungi, and viruses to breed in your workspace, resulting in allergies and other medical conditions.

Thus, it’s for everyone’s benefit that you clean all areas of your office—especially those that aren’t immediately visible. You don’t have to clean them every day, but make sure they get attended to regularly. Your professional cleaners will know what to do, but it also won’t hurt to remind them.

Not Emptying the Vacuum Often

Do you have an office vacuum cleaner that you use for quick dusting and cleanups? When was the last time you checked its dust bag or compartment?

Ideally, you should empty your vacuum after every use because letting the dirt accumulate can block airflow. When this happens, the vacuum cleaner won’t work as intended. You might even end up damaging your vacuum because you’ll be putting it under extra strain to absorb or suck away debris.

What’s more, letting the dust and grime sit in the bag or compartment can make it more difficult to remove them later on. You’ll be doing yourself and your office vacuum cleaner a favor if you empty it after every use.

Not Emptying the Trash Bin Daily

Another cleaning practice that sometimes gets overlooked by offices involves emptying the trash bin. You might argue that you’re wasting garbage disposal bags by doing this, but you’ll suffer worse consequences if you don’t.

Even just day-old trash can develop bad odors due to decaying food debris or other similar substances. The smell can then permeate the entire space. The air can also carry harmful particles and microorganisms that can cause diseases.

In short, for everyone’s health, safety, and good mood, you should dispose of your office garbage bags at the end of the day. Re-line the garbage bin with a new bag and pour some baking soda into it to control any odors.

Again, the best way to avoid these mistakes is to hire a professional cleaner to keep your office immaculate. Still, remembering these common errors in office cleaning can save you a lot of time and prevent frustration when you have to do the cleaning yourself.