With all the other things small business owners and entrepreneurs have on their plates, it can be hard to put cleaning and organization on the list of priorities. But these aren’t just “nice-to-haves.” An orderly and tidy workplace improves productivity, boosts morale and reduces absenteeism.

Go through papers, files and drawers and get rid of those things that are no longer needed or outdated

Here’s why you need a clean and organized office:

1. Higher productivity & accuracy. Cleaning and organizing is crucial to help employees do their jobs more effectively. Reducing germs in the workplace keeps your team healthier — which is important when you consider  that employees experience a 50 percent drop in productivity when working while sick. Organization keeps staff focused. If you’re sitting at a desk where exactly what you need is within reach, you don’t have to go look for something. A few minutes searching for something at your work space or in the supply cabinet adds up over a week, but research shows the lost physical time is amplified by lost mental time. Researchers at Michigan State University discovered that interruptions that last a scant 4.4 seconds triple the rate of errors on the work we return to. So minimizing unnecessary distractions like looking for a stapler or a file boosts output and accuracy. 

2. Fewer injuries. Having a safe place for everything, including office equipment, storage items, etc., reduces the likelihood that employees, vendors and visitors will get hurt and file worker’s comp and health insurance and even liability claims. Slips, trips and falls account for more than 9 million emergency room visits each year, according to the National Floor Safety Institute.

3. Lower absenteeism. Businesses lose 111 million workdays each year to the flu alone, according to the CDC. A clean environment helps promote better health. Dirt, germs, dust buildup and poor indoor air quality all contribute to colds, the flu, viruses, asthma and allergic reactions. So clean up those work surfaces, break rooms and bathrooms.

4. Accurate supply inventories. Organizing supplies lowers unnecessary spend and downtime. Keeping supplies in a central, organized location minimizes over-ordering. By some estimates, businesses with fewer than 5 employees spend up to $1,844 per employee on office supplies and furniture, software and technology, and cleaning and break room products. When you can easily see what’s in stock, you reduce duplicate orders and lost time from last-second runs to the office supply store.

5. Proper document storage & retention. “You never know when you are going to need certain financial records and other business data,” Weinman cautions. “Not having it could lead to legal repercussions.” Establish a records management system to properly retain important documents like contracts, receipts, tax returns, etc. It’s also important to make sure you’re storing sensitive information appropriately. The 2014 Cost of Data Breach Study in the United States calculated the cost of each lost or stolen record containing sensitive information was $201 in 2014.

How do you make a cleaner office happen? Make a plan! Not having a plan at the outset can create chaos and take more time than necessary. Our experts suggest a few must-have products to help you keep the office uncluttered, clean and organized all year long:

All-purpose cleaners & disinfectant. Both products, used simultaneously, will clean and disinfect any surface, thereby reducing germs. First, use an all-purpose cleaner to remove the dirt. At Hercules Services we prefers nontoxic, eco-conscious ingredients, free of chemicals. And second, apply a disinfectant to get rid of the bacteria.

Microfiber cloths. They trap the dust and dirt instead of releasing it back into the air. Microfiber is engineered to trap dust and dirt better than terry or other cloth materials, so usually less cleaning fluid is needed to be effective.

Hercules Services is a full service janitorial and commercial cleaning company equipped to keep your office or business in top shape for years to come. Our happy clients can testify to the quality of our work, the efficiency of our professionals, and the beautiful clean that they experience. If you’re ready to see how a professional can upgrade your service and keep your clients happy, give us a call at 216-464-1530 or visit us online. To see testimonials and specials, follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.