Spring-Cleaning Tips for Your Workspace

There's no better time than the beginning of spring to clean and refresh your work area. Spring cleaning can help you shake off that winter feeling and welcome the new season with renewed energy. It's not just good for you and your staff, either. If you work at a business that serves customers, they'll also appreciate the new and improved atmosphere. Here are some spring-cleaning tips to make the task easier:

Get Rid of Clutter

A good place to begin when spring cleaning your workplace is by eliminating clutter. Before you begin, make sure you're dressed in comfortable workwear that lets you bend and reach comfortably. Then, take an inventory and determine the items that are necessary and the ones that aren't. For example, you might have a habit of keeping business mail longer than needed. If so, sort your mail into three piles—one for important mail, one for mail of medium importance, and one for junk mail. The important mail can be dealt with immediately, while the less-important mail can be filed for later. As for junk mail, the best thing to do is shred it. And if you keep magazines on a table for clients to read while they're waiting, make sure they're current issues. You don't want winter magazines on your table in the spring. Toss out any magazines or other materials that look ragged or worn.

Décor can also be a form of clutter. If you have any accent items out that have a holiday or winter theme, get rid of them immediately. You can replace your fall and winter accents with spring-inspired pieces. This goes for your promotional products, too. Changing them with the seasons helps keep things fresh.

Work From Top to Bottom

Once you've gotten rid of clutter, you can start cleaning. It's best to work from top to bottom when it comes to dusting and wiping surfaces. To bust maximum dust in a hurry, use a long-handled feather duster that's designed to attract and hold dust particles. If you have wood surfaces, wipe them down with a soft cloth and a gentle cleanser. Make sure to use a product made for wood for the best results. There are also all-purpose cleaners that can be used on multiple surfaces.

Wash the Windows

Let the spring sunshine in by cleaning the windows. Depending on who you look to for advice, you'll find multiple ways to clean glass. One of the simplest and most eco-friendly is with white vinegar and crumpled newspaper. This time-honored method is great because it's ultra-affordable and delivers excellent results. It's also safe and nontoxic, as there are no harmful chemicals or fumes. Newspaper works well for wiping glass because it's sturdy and doesn't leave fuzzy residue behind the way paper towels and certain types of fabric can.

If you're looking for something comfortable to wear while you're washing the windows, consider not wear one of your favorite embroidered company polo shirts and instead opt for a shirt that is okay to wrinkle or get dirty.

Make the Floors Shine

Another important part of spring cleaning your workspace is making sure the floors look their best. If you've got hard floors, sweep them first, then mop with hot water and a cleansing product made for the floor type. You may want to have a wax applied to add a lustrous finish. Always have wet floor signs in clear view of staff and customers when mopping.

For carpeting, all that's required is a thorough vacuuming. To freshen the carpets, sprinkle baking soda on them before running the vacuum. There should be a mat at the front door as well so visitors can wipe their shoes before entering. You may want to swap out your old mats for new ones, which is a simple way to update the space. Mats crafted from natural materials like sisal and jute have a breezy look and stand up to plenty of foot traffic.

Update Staff Uniforms

Spring is also an excellent time to change your custom work uniforms. Short-sleeve polo shirts or embroidered T-shirts are an option to consider. Both types of tops come in a wide variety of colors, so you can find one that coordinates well with your business logo. You could even choose work shirts in a springtime color, such as pastel pink or yellow. Look for lightweight fabrics, such as polyester and cotton. There are breathable mesh fabrics that keep you cool, as well as anti-microbial fabrics that prevent odor-causing bacteria from accumulating.

Welcome Spring With a Promotional Event

While not technically a cleaning task, you might also want to host a promotional event as a way to welcome spring. It doesn't have to be anything complicated—even a simple gift-with-purchase promotion with a spring theme can help bring in new customers. Ideas for promotional products to give away include custom company pens, notepads, and coffee mugs. These items can be branded with your company name, and you can order them in bulk to save time and money.

After spring cleaning your workplace, maintain the results with a regular cleaning schedule. By attending to basic cleaning tasks every day, you can get ahead of any messes and keep your business looking neat and tidy.