As companies like Amazon roll out return-to-office mandates, employees are facing more than just the daily commute—they’re facing a jungle of dirty office items that have accumulated on desks and in shared spaces.
Workspaces are breeding grounds for bacteria, with a desktop harbouring 20,961 germs per square inch, far worse than a toilet seat.1 Ahead of many workers returning to the office, the experts at Digital PR Agency have created a checklist of the dirtiest office items that require regimented cleaning to keep employees healthy.
Coffee Mugs – After Every Use
3% of Brits admit to never washing their coffee mug after use! During colder months, hot drinks are popular, leading to more frequent mug handling. Germs easily transfer from hands to mugs, spreading colds and flu. Wash mugs after every use with a clean kitchen sponge and washing-up liquid, and avoid sharing if possible.
Office Kitchen Sponges – Twice Daily
Sponges often harbour more bacteria than a toilet bowl. In cold months, germs will be passed constantly onto sponges, making them breeding grounds for bacteria. Consider investing in silicone sponges that resist bacteria and make cleaning easier.
Keyboards and Mice – Daily
Keyboards and mice are high-touch items, with an average of 1,676 germs per square inch. With the average mouse measuring roughly 10 square inches, that’s up to 16,760 germs on your mouse. Wipe them down with disinfectant wipes or a cloth sprayed with a mild cleaning solution at the end of each day to minimise illness risks.
Door Handles and Light Switches – Daily
Office door handles can be home to 30 times more germs than a toilet seat. High-touch areas like door handles and light switches should be disinfected daily to reduce the spread of germs. Simply use disinfectant wipes or sprays to clean these surfaces thoroughly and regularly.
Phones and Headsets – Daily
Phones and headsets are used frequently and can easily become contaminated with bacteria, especially in offices with shared devices. Use disinfectant wipes to clean these items daily, especially the mouthpiece and earpiece areas.
Fridge Handles and Microwave Buttons – Weekly
These kitchen surfaces are high-touch areas, frequently handled by multiple people throughout the day, but rarely cleaned. With more people bringing food from home during colder months, these surfaces become hotspots for germ transfer. Use antibacterial sprays and a microfibre cloth to clean over handles and buttons in the kitchen, focusing on fridges and microwaves as these will be used at least twice a day by you and your colleagues.
Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.
