It’s time to Refresh Your Business with these 7 spring cleaning tips!

The winter muck is almost gone. Salt, slush, and tracking snow is soon to be a thing you can forget about (for now). But in its place is springtime cleaning tasks. The dusty cabinet you ignored? The piles of receipts and papers teetering on your desk edge? Those streaky windows? All of those show up in the spring time more obviously than ever with the sunshine and blue skies. The cleaner it looks outside, the worse it may look inside, especially if you have an office with lots of windows and natural light.

When it comes to cleaning, you know as a business owner that it never stops. But whether using a cleaning company weekly or taking care of tasks yourself, staying on top of those jobs can help make it all easier. In the spring, specific tasks can help you stay organized and refresh your working space. While we don’t recommend fully painting a new colour in your office, simpler (and less back-breaking!) tasks can help bring new life to your office.

Here are our 7 spring cleaning tips!

Declutter, Organize… then Reorganize!

Things have a way of growing legs and leaving the office… or they join the office and never leave! When we talk about clutter, we don’t mean anything that may be needed for tax season or for historical data of your business. We’re talking about things that have been added to the office or business, and then forgotten about or stashed away.

With a large cardboard box (a banker box will do), go through your desk drawers and remove any junk that’s accumulated there. Ask your employees to do this too. Remove old paperwork that is out of date (keep an eye out for privileged information!) and test any desk equipment to be sure it works, such as malfunctioning staplers or empty pens. Move to your desk’s surface. Ideally you want your desk to have a keyboard, mouse, laptop or desktop, a pen cup, and a notepad. Use baskets or folder organizers to keep your in and out boxes clean.

Moving through your office, you will probably find spots of clutter that are unnecessary. Those spots can grow if you aren’t careful! If you can’t declutter those spots fully, at least organize them to the best of your ability. Neat piles or folders are better than things scattered on the desk, ready to get lost.

Organization can also be digital. Digitizing files, cleaning your inboxes, and sorting out folder systems on your computer can reduce your stress. It also makes it very easy to find things again.

Refresh Naturally

In an article from Desky, they advise paying careful attention to bringing a bit of nature into your business world. This can mean paying careful attention to lighting, air, and plants. So how can you do this effectively?

Getting your air ducts serviced helps reduce harmful dust that can affect both clients and employees. When you are organizing your office space, use fans and plants to cleanse the air of dust particles and increase air flow. This will help your office or business stay fresh without stale smells.

Did you know that plants can help reduce stress? In this study from the National Library of Medicine website, they can have positive effects! In the right location, a plant (or several) can be a helpful partner for air quality as it reduces stress in your employees. Be respectful of your employees or customers by being mindful of scents and allergies.

Light (natural or ambient) can increase workflow and reduce stress as well. Have your windows professionally cleaned routinely and allow for desks to be placed nearby. Light improves mood and boosts energy, so it can be a big help for your employees. If natural light isn’t possible, aim for a soft ambient light that reduces eye strain and allows for the visual impact to be warm and inviting. 

Deep Clean the Winter

The most telling area of winter stress will be your floors and carpet. Even if you mopped diligently, the salt and slush can warp floors, stain carpets, and create a grainy, filmy look. That look is not inviting to clients or employees!

This is where you will want a professional company, like Clean Works, to bring their expertise. Using the right machinery at the right time means knowing the ins and outs of floor cleaning. Professional commercial cleaning companies can help you. For the cost of a floor cleaning, you are reducing your own stress so that you can focus on more important things.

Make sure to have your carpets soaped and washed effectively to get all of that salt and grime out. Not only is this ideal for winter but for any season. You may be surprised how much dirt a carpet can retain without you realizing… until it is too late. Flooring can also take a beating with or without carpet to protect it.

For daily maintenance, if you are doing it all on your own, be sure to vacuum and mop regularly. If you can stay on top of these daily duties, it will go quicker and allow you to address any problem areas faster.

Overcome the Dust

Dust never seems to go away. You’ll have wiped down all your monitors and equipment, only to find dust appearing just a day later. Experts like Clean Works can help keep that to a minimum with proper techniques and tools. If you need to take care of it yourself, having a regular dusting schedule will help you avoid those coated areas that are so unsightly.

Winter leaves behind layers of grime but dust can appear in areas that you may not notice. Hard-to-reach areas can be some of the worst culprits of overwhelming dust. Safely use ladders and stepstools to reach light fixtures, shelves, and other areas you can’t reach easily. Remember to look carefully at areas like cabinets, books, the backs of monitors, and window ledges.

You need to take care of this not only for the visual appeal of your business but for the health of yourself, your employees, and your clients. When you commit to a regular dusting schedule, you will begin to notice your office improving in its air quality and circulation.

Sanitize High-Touch Points

We talk a lot about managing harmful bacteria and germs, especially in the winter when cold and flu season can be at its worst. But keeping that under control is important year-round, for health and safety reasons. 

Take a look at your business interior. If you have frequent foot traffic, you will want to be sure you disinfect the door handles and surfaces. Using quality disinfectant products, take a look beyond just people coming in. Reception areas will need desks, chairs, and any high-touch spots like phones or registers to be disinfected daily. This eliminates hotspots where the outside can bring bacteria to inside employees.

Make sure that the bathroom is thoroughly cleaned. This means scrubbing and disinfecting sinks, fixtures, and toilets. Encourage your staff to disinfect their desks after each day and maintain a clean, disinfected kitchen as well. By removing hotspots for germs, you are ensuring productivity and health in your staff, which increases trust and office well-being. 

Look Out… and In!

Your windows and doors will see a lot of wear and tear over every season. In the winter, the ice and cold and wear down fixtures and weather stripping. Door locks can also jam. Never wait on fixing those. If a door is not closing and locking properly, call in a maintenance company or locksmith to assess any damage. With quality disinfectant tools, wipe down the door frames and handles to remove grime and sanitize.

 Windows are key to revitalizing the business so be sure to hire a professional to clean them so that they are streak-free. This allows in maximum light! Also check for any cracks or damage; window damage can sneak up on you when you least want it too.

While you are looking at your windows and doors, take a look at your business’s exterior. Whether you expect lots of foot traffic or not, that first impression matters for both clients and staff. You may have seen graffiti manifest on your walls; you’ll need that professionally removed by a graffiti removal service. You can also have commercial cleaning companies power wash your sidewalks and/or entrances to get rid of that winter salt and dirt. 

If you have decals or signage, this is also a great time to assess if you need to replace them. Check your signage for damage. Cleaning can help revitalize the signage so that it is more visible and professional. Then look at your landscaping. Even if you have only a patch of grass, make note of any muddy damage. If you have flower beds, plan for new flowers and remember to keep it gardened and neat.

Don’t sit on Office Furniture Refreshes!

You probably noticed that your office takes wear and tear at higher volume when inclement weather is involved. Your furniture is no different. If you have reception chairs, check to be sure that they are not wobbly or cracked, and that any seat cushions are clean and unstained.

Your office furniture is the same. Wipe down all surfaces and vacuum any upholstery to get rid of pesky allergens. You may find some of your furniture needs replacing or fixing. Do your best to keep that up to date as well to avoid accidents or frustrating problems down the road.

If you have the budget, look for ergonomic furniture for your staff. This helps improve health and productivity. It is easier to replace furniture than it is staff, so keep an eye on the condition of your office furniture.

Spring Cleaning can Refresh Your Business!

Spring cleaning your business is about more than just aesthetics; it’s about resetting the energy of your workspace and showing your team and clients that you value their environment. From clearing the digital clutter on your desk to ensuring your high-touch points are sanitized, these seven steps create a foundation for a productive, healthy, and successful season ahead.

While many of these tasks can be handled with a little elbow grease and a sturdy banker box, remember that you don't have to tackle the "deep clean" alone. Partnering with a professional commercial cleaning team allows you to delegate the heavy lifting—like restorative floor care and high-altitude dusting—so you can stay focused on what you do best: growing your business.

Ready to let the sunshine in? Start small, stay consistent, and enjoy the clarity that comes with a truly refreshed office. Need some help? Call us at Clean Works. We’d be happy to give you a quote for your cleaning needs. Happy cleaning!