Shared Spaces, Simple Solutions: A 3-Step Approach for a Healthier Clean

Whether it’s a bustling office, a crowded restroom, or a communal eating area, maintaining a healthy environment is crucial. Although we’ve made it through another respiratory illness and cold season, germs continue to spread, and cleanliness remains a top concern in shared spaces. One thing that makes facility occupants the most uncomfortable in shared spaces is the risk of picking up illnesses¹. Not only that, but higher productivity and better outcomes for employees and students are a result of clean spaces^2,3. Fortunately, there are simple solutions for cleaning and disinfecting that can help. This blog outlines a straightforward three-step approach to maintain healthier shared spaces.

A Healthy Shared Space Can Be as Easy as 1-2-3

The following points illustrate 3 simple steps to approach cleaning and disinfection of commonly shared spaces across all facilities.

1. Identify Key Challenges in Shared Spaces
   • Restrooms:
     • Over 50% of facility cleaning managers cite restrooms as the most challenging space to keep clean⁴.
     • Top concerns include germs, urine odors, stains and mold.
   • Workspaces:
     • The number of high-touch surfaces enables germs to spread quickly.
     • The average worker’s desk has more than 20,000 germs per square inch⁵, and school classrooms contain upwards of 34,000 germs per square inch⁶.
   • Eating Areas:
     • 75% of break room sink faucet handles, 48% of microwave door handles, and 26% of refrigerator door handles in break rooms were found to be hot spots for germs⁷.
     • Eating areas tend to accumulate grease and grime and get dirty quickly.
2. Determine the Type of Cleaning Task
   • Cleaning tasks should be based on the specific space and its usage patterns. There is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Cleaning tasks will vary by space, occupancy, and time-of-day. Tailor your cleaning approach accordingly and prioritize tasks that directly impact occupants’ health and well-being. Use the table below to understand the key types of cleaning tasks and how and when to use each.
     

     

3. Choose the Right Product for the Space & Task
   • When selecting a cleaning and disinfecting product, remember that not all products are suitable for a specific task. The key here is selecting the right product that compliments the space and task. My previous blog, A Goldilocks Approach to Cleaning and Disinfection, highlights some of the different product types and their benefits. Here are some additional considerations when selecting a product:
     • Disinfectant: If killing germs is your top priority, select a product that is EPA-registered to kill pathogens commonly found on surfaces and that has a contact time under 3 minutes.
     • Ready-to-Use (RTU): Cleaning and disinfecting products that are ready-to-use are convenient and simple to use with no dilution required. They offer versatility across many surfaces and spaces and contribute to cleaning efficiency.
     • Eco-conscious: Disinfectants with a third-party certification, like EPA Design for the Environment (DfE), are an excellent alternative to traditional products. These products are EPA-registered and are effective against multiple pathogens.

Putting It All Together

Let’s review these steps and what they may look like in a real-life cleaning scenario using an example of a workspace. A simple outline could look like this:

1. Key Challenge – A recent report about an RSV outbreak in the community and increased employee absences has given rise to concern about the transmission of RSV on high-touch surfaces at work.
2. Cleaning Task – Cleaning and disinfection as a touch up task should be performed by cleaning staff and occupants throughout the day on high-touch surfaces such as desks, door handles, and handrails.
3. Product to Use – Select RTU disinfecting wipes for quick, easy disinfecting of high-touch surfaces.

For more information on product solutions that are efficient and effective in maintaining healthy shared spaces with confidence, reference our Shared Spaces Toolkit and A Smarter Way to Healthier Shared Spaces website. Remember, healthier shared spaces benefit everyone. Let’s prioritize cleanliness and well-being in our facilities, beginning with 1-2-3.

References

<sup>1. CloroxPro. 2023 Clean Index Study. Data for this report was collected in Spring 2023 an online survey of a nationally representative U.S. General Population based on age, gender, region, race/ethnicity and income and cleaning industry professionals defined as business service contractors, facility managers in education, commercial buildings, and healthcare facilities.
2. Annual Workplace Survey [Internet]. Staples.com. [cited 2024 Apr 15]. Available from: https://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/workplace-survey
3. Clorox. New research shows children are more creative in a clean workspace [Internet]. PR Newswire. 2019 [cited 2024 Apr 15]. Available from: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-research-shows-children-are-more-creative-in-a-clean-workspace-300905487.html
4. Facility Cleaning Decisions Magazine. 2023 Facility Cleaning Management Study [Internet]. July 2023. [cited 2024 Apr 15]. Available from: https://www.cleanlink.com/resources/editorial/2023/FCDManagementSurvey2023Final3.pdf
5. Germs in Your Firm [Internet]. www.printerland.co.uk. [cited 2024 Apr 15]. Available from: https://www.printerland.co.uk/germs-in-your-firm-E412.aspx
6. NSF. Germiest Places at Schools [Internet]. [cited 2024 Apr 15]. Available from: https://www.nsf.org/blog/consumer/germiest-places-schools
7. Kimberly-Clark. Where the Germs Are: New Study Finds Office Kitchens and Break Rooms are Crawling with Bacteria [Internet]. 2012. Available from: https://kimberlyclark.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/where-germs-are-new-study-finds-office-kitchens-and-break-rooms</sup>