Commercial Office Cleaning: Step By Step Guide to Cleaning the Office Equipment

While a professional cleaner can do a routine office cleaning job and perform basic cleaning activities such as sweeping & mopping floors and cleaning the toilets, even they might miss or skip cleaning the electronics, which, according to studies, are massive breeding grounds for germs in an office. Hire CLEANA Commercial Cleaning services for all-around cleaning of your office in Sydney.

As they say, the devil is in the details, and for office cleaning, it could not be more true. Office electronics, computer screens, phones, keyboards, etc. are some of the most important and used items throughout the day, but we still miss cleaning them as frequently and diligently as other areas like floors and toilets. If you are looking to learn how to clean office equipment and keep your electronics in top shape, here’s our detailed guide to office equipment cleaning by Clean Group Office Cleaning company.

How to clean office equipment

Before you start cleaning office equipment, you’ll need a number of things:

Office cleaning supplies:

  • Microfibre cloths
  • Buckets
  • Cleaning brushes
  • Compressed air
  • Cleaning solutions
  • Cleaning wipes
  • Cotton buds
  • Antibacterial spray

Let’s get started.

Cleaning a computer screen

Computer screens are used in all kinds of offices. Because the working person is in close proximity to their computer screen, every time they sneeze or cough or touch the screen or even talk while working, there is a chance of the screen getting dust and germs on it. These germs and dirt keep accumulating on screens over time if not cleaned routinely.

Routine cleaning of your computer screen will not only make it attractive to look at but also reduce the probability of catching a virus or infection from infected screens. It doesn’t have to be difficult or take up a lot of your time. Just follow these simple steps to ensure your computer screen is glowing and germ-free round the clock.

Unplug the computer monitor and remove all cables carefully. The monitor should not be attached to anything while cleaning. Fill a spray bottle with the cleaning solution. You can use a homemade white vinegar-water solution over a store-bought product. Now, spray the solution onto a microfibre cloth and use it to apply the solution to the screen while collecting dust and grime from one end to another, slowly covering the entire screen. Let the solution sit for a couple of minutes before you clean it. Use a dry cloth to carefully buff up the screen, remove any residue and make it dry.

Cleaning a computer keyboard

The computer keyboard can be a little tricky to clean, but it doesn’t mean you can afford to ignore cleaning it. On the contrary, your computer keyboard is one of the most germ-ridden things in your office. This is because it is touched several times during the day. You might even be touching and using your keyboard while doing other things like using your phone, eating food, etc., which means you could be carrying off germs from your keyboard to other surfaces, including food, and vice-versa, which makes it super important to routinely clean and disinfect your computer keyboard.

And if you’re a desk eater (someone who likes to eat at his/her desk), you should be really concerned about cleaning your keyboard daily, because the tiny particles of food can get into the gaps of the keyboard and affect the keys’ workability over time. Ok, let’s get to the cleaning part.

To clean your keyboard, unwire it first, i.e. remove all cables. If it’s a wireless keyboard, switch it off before you start cleaning. Pop off the keys (button) using any suitable tool like a screwdriver. Wash the keys separately using a soap-water solution. Use compressed air to remove any dirt, dust and debris stuck inside the keyboard. Use disinfectant wipes to gently wipe off any dust from all over the keyboard. Once the keys are dry, replace them properly.

Cleaning a computer mouse

Cleaning your computer mouse is as important as cleaning the keyboard, for the same reason we mention above. Your computer mouse is always in your hand and touched, again and again, irrespective of whatever type of dust and dirt your hands may be carrying. All your skin oils, sweat, dust and grime go into the mouse and the gap between the buttons, which will eventually result in making the mouse unusable over time. At the same time, dirt may also be present under the mouse (stuck to the rubber pads under the mouse) and on the mouse pad, which need cleaning as well.

To start cleaning your mouse, unplug or switch it off (wireless) first. Use a cleaning wipe to gently wipe off any dirt and grime from under the mouse and the feet. Use a dry cloth to gently wipe down the underside after cleaning. Now, clean the upper side of the mouse using a wipe or microfibre cloth as appropriate. Remove any visible dirt and grime from between the gaps, the roller, buttons, and joints. Use disinfectant wipes for a final wipe-off and let the solution dry automatically.

Cleaning a printer or photocopier

Printers and photocopies in an office are shared tools that must be cleaned daily. As multiple people are using these devices daily, the chances of them carrying infections everywhere get high when everyone is sharing these machines. Routine cleaning of electronics will also help keep them in good condition and beautiful and increase their life.

To clean a printer or copier machine, shut it down first and unplug all the wires. Remove any papers, ink and other items from the machine. Clean the buttons and the gaps between buttons using cotton buds. Clear out all other vents and spaces the same way. Be very careful when cleaning the scanning glass. Use a microfiber cloth with a water-vinegar solution to gently buff and wipe down the glass. Use disinfectant wipes or the cloth-solution combo to clean off other areas and surfaces across the machine/ Let the machine dry off completely.

Cleaning office phones

The difference between office computers and office phones is that phones are generally shared by many people and will therefore have a high concentration of germs and dirt. Office phones are rated as one of the dirtiest places in an office. Routine cleaning of your office phones is a must for the safety of your workers and staff. Here’s how to do it:

Instruct your cleaners to clean all the shared phones at least once every day. In addition, ask your employees to keep their personal phones clean as well as disinfect them routinely.

Before cleaning, unplug the phone and remove all the wires. Use cotton buds to remove any dirt and grime from between the keys and other open spaces and gaps. Clean the speaker and mouthpiece holes using toothpick or cotton buds to remove any stuck grime. Use disinfectant wipes or a microfibre cloth to gently wipe off the phone entirely from top to bottom. Let it dry.

If your employees are also using personal phones or mobile phones, use the same above steps to clean these handheld devices. Use vinegar-water solution with a microfibre cloth to wipe off the phone screen.

Cleaning a laptop

If you have employees using laptops in the office, you should make sure to get these electronics cleaned up nicely at least once a week or so.

To clean the office laptop, power it off first and remove all the cables and wires attached to it. Use cotton buds to clean out any dirt and grime stuck between the keys and in the gaps. Use compressed air to remove dust from USB ports and other vents, sockets, speakers, gaps and the space between the keys. Clean the screen using a water-vinegar solution or disinfectant wipes and use a dry cloth to clean out any residue properly. Remove any excess moisture from the cleaning cloth or wipes before using them to ensure not letting the liquid get into the gaps and inside the laptop. Let the laptop dry completely before using it again.

Cleaning other office appliances

There are many other electronic items and appliances used in an office. These may include a refrigerator, a microwave, coffee machines, projectors, water dispensers, etc. These must also be cleaned on a routine basis, if not daily, depending on the frequency of use.

A refrigerator, for example, is a very frequently used office item and should, therefore, be routine-cleaned (the exterior) daily as well as deep cleaned every once a week or so. For deep cleaning the office refrigerator, empty out all the items and trays and unplug the fridge. Use a microfiber cloth with a water-detergent solution to wipe off the insides, including the ice box and all compartments. Then, make it dry using a clean piece of cloth. Do not forget to clean the doors - inside out - especially the gaskets to remove any hidden grime and dirt. Leave the fridge open to let it dry completely before turning it on. Wash the trays separately and replace them once they are dry.

Use the same steps to wipe down and clean other appliances, including the microwave, water dispensers, coffee machines, dishwashers, etc. Be careful not to let the liquid get inside electronics, as it may affect the functioning. Let the equipment dry completely before you use them again.

Clean Group - Professional Office Cleaning Services Company in Sydney

Clean Group is a Sydney-based cleaning company having more than 20 years of experience in commercial office cleaning all over Sydney. We have a professional team of well-trained office cleaners and use cutting-edge tools with eco-friendly cleaning products to office comprehensive and customised cleaning solutions to our clients. Contact us today to schedule an office cleaning service for your business.