Office cleaning matters on so many levels. The prevalence of allergic diseases has been on the rise worldwide in the past decades. Allergic rhinitis affects between 10% and 30% of the population and roughly 8% of adults have hay fever in the U.S. alone according to the American Academy of Asthma and Immunology. Symptoms are unpleasant but can be prevented if appropriate steps are taken, as is the case with most allergies, fortunately. The list goes on, but there are many tips out there focusing on allergy cleaning at home, such as vacuuming carpets, removing clutter, regularly washing curtains. Even though individuals spend most of their day at work, little is said about the importance of office cleaning. Allergens can also be found in shared spaces and on surfaces where office cleaning is not regularly done, though employees with allergies tend to keep their desks meticulously clean. With this in mind, we at American Hometown Services would like to elaborate on cleaning in the workplace to reduce allergies.

How Can I Reduce Allergies in the Workplace?

The first step towards reducing allergies is keeping your environment clean. Since allergy triggers can be found in shared spaces like kitchens, meeting rooms and washrooms as well, it is not enough to clean your own desk when it comes to offices and commercial buildings. Because they are everywhere around us, in soft furnishings, carpets and curtains that might contain build-up dust, from fresh flowers and artificial fragrances to humid areas, airborne allergens are difficult to fight. Seasonal allergies can be triggered just by opening the windows during pollen season. It is important to implement some best practices to fight them in the workplace and be aware of allergens.

Cleaning the Office with Allergies
– Ensure proper ventilation in washrooms. In order to keep this zone allergy-free, daily cleaning and using mold-resistant, easy-to-clean surfaces is important.
– It is helpful during pollen season to keep all windows shut and use air conditioning instead since a lot of people suffer from seasonal allergies.
– If filters are changed regularly, installing an air filtration system helps a great deal.
– Daily cleaning is necessary in shared kitchens. It is critical to ensure out-of-date food is discarded, dishes are washed, and emptying the trash daily is a must. In order to avoid mold growth, refrigerators must be kept dry and clean.
– Consider removing carpets and upholstered furniture, otherwise ensure they are cleaned frequently, replacing blinds with washable shades are shown to be very effective in reducing allergies in the office in meeting rooms and common rooms.
– You can manage with dehumidifiers and heating systems as the humidity should be kept below 50% in the entire office.
Every office is different, and they face different challenges, and there are many aspects of allergy-proofing a workplace. Without changing their policies, workplaces that allow dogs will have a hard time reducing allergies. Considerations for alternatives for fresh flowers or soft furnishings must look into other ways of decorating their spaces since they are triggers that are easy to eliminate.

Janitorial & Commercial Cleaning Services & More in Quincy, Macomb, Hamilton, Warsaw & East Alton Illinois | Hannibal, Missouri

To help you control the office allergens and ensure your office is immaculate, call in the professionals of American Hometown Services and let us assist you!