Cleaning workstation checklist

Are you moving back to the office anytime soon? If you are planning to move your working from home, even partly, back to office premises, perhaps even just on a rota-basis with employees and colleagues, you may want to think about establishing good workstation cleaning habits for your team.

With regular washing of hands and cleaning regimes playing such a large part in keeping us safe from coronavirus, it makes sense to keep our personal workstation and equipment as germ-free as possible; even if you are continuing to work from home. So, set yourself up with the equipment you need, in our handy checklist, and get your routine going of a regular, thorough cleaning and sanitising regime

Cleaning checklist:

• Keep sanitiser and wipes on desks at all times so they are readily to hand
• Items should be cleaned thoroughly with your usual detergent and then followed with an antibacterial cleaner to disinfect; note: vinegar-based products like glass cleaners, do not kill germs
• Clean your entire workstation at the end of every working day
• Clean your computer, screen, laptop, keyboard, mouse, etc. every time you finish using them
• When cleaning electronic equipment such as computer, screen, laptop, etc. spray the cleaner onto the cloth, not onto the equipment
• Use disposable gloves and an apron for cleaning, if possible
• Clean the cleaning equipment after cleaning, for instance, empty your bucket and then clean it with disinfectant and leave to dry
• All wipes and cleaning items to be disposed need to be bagged and then bagged again for disposal
• Wash your hands with water and soap for 20 seconds after you have finished cleaning

Where to clean

• Your desk, not just on top, but underneath, the legs, the sides, and anywhere else you brush against as you go about your work, swivelling round in your chair, etc.
• Your computer and all electronic equipment, as mentioned above, as well as your mobile phone, desk phones, crockery and cutlery, and any personal bags near your desk
• Chairs are particularly renowned for collecting our germs; get into all the nooks and crannies, the arms, under the arms, and into the back of the seat
• Door handles, bannisters, grab rails and light switches
• All shared areas such as toilets, break rooms and kitchens, paying particular attention to work surfaces, taps, kettles, microwaves and fridges

The?government guidance relating to cleaning non-healthcare settings?contains further guidance on what PPE is necessary to wear for cleaning and further areas to clean, such as stairwells. It’s a good idea to print out the guidance, or this checklist, and keep it nearby for colleagues to refer to. Cleaning is everyone’s responsibility and it will help you significantly if all of your employees and colleagues play their part.

It’s all about establishing the good habits now, as a team, that will go on to protect you and your workforce and keep you healthily and happily working, from whichever premises you choose to use.