With Covid-19 still making the rounds, it’s wise to maintain safety protocols to prevent transmission, and part of this involves cleaning the furniture around the office to prevent the virus from accumulating on surfaces. Besides that, it’s always good practice to keep office furniture clean and tidy, purely from a hygienic and aesthetic point of view. Since we now have another reason, it’s wise to go through some basic cleaning tips to keep office furniture spic and span, regardless of your operational status.
The first thing to realize is that different furniture items require different cleaning methods, especially where Covid is involved. For that reason, it’s wise to stick to EPA-approved disinfectants, sanitizing wipes, vinegar or low% ethyl alcohol and other products that can kill viruses and other bacteria quickly, and efficiently. Keep these tips in mind for the surfaces present in your workspace.
PLASTIC
There are a lot of plastic surfaces in the workplace, notably in office chairs, file trays and certain workstation items. Make sure to stay away from bleach-based products that can discolour plastic, and stick with soap, water, and vinegar or ethyl alcohol or other items like sanitary wipes. Plastic is a non-porous material, allowing it to withstand these types of cleaning methods without issue. If you’re still not sure, consult the item manual to double-check for any prescribed cleaning methods.
WOOD
One of the more sensitive materials around the workplace is wood, and it should be treated with care. Wood is highly susceptible to harsher cleaning products that can cause damage or discolouration, so be warned. When dealing with wood, soap and water is the best bet, as it can separate layers of dirt and harmful buildup. Give it a few passes, and that should be enough to bring out the shine, while killing any virus-carrying microbes. Always remember that washing your hands with soap and water is considered a bonafide Covid-killer. The same principle applies here
METAL
Metal is tough and highly resilient to cleaning products, even harsher ones. Still, be sure to check with the manufacturer to make sure there won’t be any issues, as some metals can still take a hit with the wrong product. Most EPA-approved disinfectants and sanitary wipes are totally safe for use on metal, and are handy for killing bacteria and Covid virus microbes. A quick tip when using products such as sanitary wipes is to follow up with a cloth wipe-down, to remove any streaks or spatter.
LEATHER
Leather is considered the granddaddy of sensitive materials. Though different kinds of leather do exist, all with varying degrees of durability, extra-special care needs to be taken, regardless. It’s also a very high maintenance material, which means regular cleaning isn’t vital simply to keep Covid at bay, but to keep the furniture product in question from deteriorating. Most leathers require regular application of a conditioning agent to cleanse the material, while keeping it supple. This prevents dryness and cracking, which is an especially heavy problem with PU and bonded leather products. When cleaning leather office products, use a soap that is gentle on the material, and go easy on the amount of water that actually makes touchdown. When done, immediately dry with a cloth so the water doesn’t set in. Finally, don’t neglect a conditioning treatment as per regular scheduling, to avoid cracking.
UPHOLSTERY
Upholstery can be pretty resilient, but it also requires very particular cleaning methods to keep from damaging the material. This means checking the product tag is vital to know what you’re dealing with. Unfortunately, upholstery products tend to attract germs and bacteria like magnets, due to the material, and the difficulty in cleaning it regularly. Some upholstery materials naturally repel viruses and bacteria, including scotch-guarded variants, though this is not one hundred percent guaranteed. Use upholstery soap mixed with water, and follow manufacturer instructions to make sure you’re cleaning your furniture product correctly.
LAMINATE
These materials tend to be tough as nails, or at least resilient enough to handle most cleaning agents without any issue. Not only are they durable enough to handle normal wear and tear, but the material is very easy to clean. Stick with the EPA’s list of approved cleaning chemicals, or a simple soap, water and vinegar solution.. Most laminate and resin products can even handle bleach cleaners without succumbing to damage. These types of surfaces see a lot of action around the office, as laminates make up the bulk of work desks where lots of activity takes place. This makes ease of cleaning all the more important.
By following some basic guidelines while exercising a little forethought, you and your employees can keep the office furniture items in tip top shape, while giving Covid-19 a one-two punch in the process. As always, check with your manufacturer if you’re the least bit unsure as to how to properly clean your office furniture items. For more information on the types of Covid-resistant furniture products at fluidconcepts, please reach out to us today.
