How to Sanitize Office and Industrial Equipment

With sanitation before more important now than ever, there has been an unwavering spotlight and justified emphasis on keeping environments as sanitized and germ-free as possible. This focus has been particularly crucial when it comes to the workplace. These environments are filled with shared equipment that is continuously touched by multiple users, leading to potentially dangerous accumulations of bacteria and viruses. 

Even pieces of equipment that are generally operated by a single user, such as personal computers, can be crawling with bacteria and viruses when they aren’t regularly cleaned. In fact, recent studies reveal that the average desktop holds around 21,000 germs per square inch, keyboards hold around 3,300, and computer mice around 1,700.  Altogether, this leads to a bacterial total that is 400 times more concentrated than a toilet seat. While this might seem surprising, keep in mind that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. So if shared surfaces are not regularly cleaned, then surfaces used only by individuals can suffer from cross-contamination. 

To help you keep your work areas as clean as possible—and your employees safe—this article will demonstrate how to sanitize office equipment, industrial printers, and communal spaces according to current CDC guidelines, as well as outline the best cleaning supplies for each job. With these tips, you can minimize the spread of bacteria and viruses for the sake of your health and the health of those around you.

How to Sanitize Office Equipment and Industrial Technology

In this section, we will detail the best way to clean equipment that is used by multiple people in your facility. Begin by making sure that you have the right supplies to properly wash and sanitize each piece of equipment. While this list may vary slightly depending on the individual case, these listed supplies will be needed for every office:

• Disposable gloves to be worn during the entire cleaning process.

• Cleaning wipes to be used for all keyboards and touchscreen devices.

• A soap and water combination for an initial wash of non-electronic surface areas.

• Appropriate disinfectant that will not harm equipment surfaces.

  • NOTE: Many disinfecting solutions contain bleach, ammonia, and other harsh chemicals that can damage certain material surfaces. Make sure to read equipment manuals and cleaning solution labels to ensure that you do not inadvertently harm your surfaces or equipment.

• Lint-free microfiber cloths that can be moistened with either the soap/water combination or disinfectant

Once you have these supplies, you can start the cleaning process:

1. Begin by putting on the disposable gloves, without removing them until the entire cleaning process is over.

2. Combine the soap and water in a bucket or suitably sized container.

3. Moisten the lint-free microfiber cloth with the soap/water combination and wipe down all non-electronic surfaces. This will help to eliminate germs as well as any accumulated dirt and grime.

4. Take another microfiber cloth and moisten it with the disinfectant. Disinfect the surfaces that were just wiped, once they have dried. 

5. Finish the process by taking your cleaning wipes and wiping down any touch screen surfaces or other commonly touched surfaces.

Repeat this process frequently throughout the week as needed. 

Sanitizing Communal Workspaces and Personal Desk Belongings

While the above instructions directly address how to sanitize office equipment, other parts of the office are prone to accumulating viruses and bacteria as well. The places most at-risk of collecting germs include entrances, exits, kitchen spaces, bathrooms, and personal desk spaces. Cleaning these areas largely requires the same steps outlined above, so we will use this section as an opportunity to outline all of the objects in communal workspaces that require regular sanitization, some being more obvious than others. 

To keep your office as germ-free as possible, make sure to frequently clean the following:

• Desk surfaces: Personal desk spaces are some of the most germ-heavy areas in an office space. All workers should wipe down their desks with cleaning wipes or spray at least once a day.

• Personal computers: Keyboards and mice are constantly touched throughout the workday. Use electronic-friendly cleaning wipes to eliminate germs on these surfaces,

• Kitchen surfaces: Kitchens are home to tables, countertops, refrigerators, and microwaves—all surfaces that are touched by multiple people throughout the day. Wipe these areas multiple times a day and provide hand sanitizer for general use.

• Chairs: Although often neglected when thinking of high-bacteria office surfaces, chairs hold 21,000 germs per square inch between the seat itself and the armrests. Clean both areas.

• Other high-touch surfaces: This category encapsulates the small areas that are touched throughout the day, including light switches, doorknobs, faucet sinks, and thermostats. Wipe these surfaces throughout the day.

Keep Your Workforce Healthy with High-Quality Cleaning Supplies

COVID-19 has forced us all to be hyper-vigilant when it comes to personal cleanliness and the potential spread of bacteria. For those working in offices, these concerns are compounded, as coworkers are often interacting with shared equipment and collectively touching the same surfaces. Fortunately, by using proper cleaning techniques and practicing social distancing, these threats can be greatly minimized. To help you accomplish this, InkJet, Inc. offers a range of cleaning products, including hand sanitizing liquid, gels, and alcohol wipes, in both personal use and industrial quantities. Contact us now to get started on making your office a more safe and hygienic space. 

To learn more about how to sanitize office equipment or industrial equipment, contact InkJet, Inc. today by dialing (800) 280-3245.