A clean kitchen area and breakroom can help coworkers de-stress at certain times throughout the day. Cleanliness also conveys that your company cares about its employees and business environment. Without rules, though, the room designated for eating and relaxing may be difficult to maintain. Some straightforward suggestions make the entire process quick and easy.
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Get everyone on board
Realize it’s a group effort. Tell coworkers since everyone uses the breakroom, it’s only fair that they contribute to its maintenance.
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Put breakroom cleaning expectations in writing
Be kind. There’s a popular quote: “It’s not what you say, but how you say it.” Here’s an example of a no-frills policy you can write.
Date: [write in the policy’s approval date] Authorized by: [Your signature]
[Your company name]
Kitchen Area and Breakroom Policy
The kitchen area and breakroom is for our enjoyment. Let’s work together to keep it clean. Our collaborative efforts help us remain healthy, happy, and productive throughout the workday.
[Optional: Insert a smiley face graphic or another appropriate graphic and center it.]
1. Cover your food and beverages with a paper towel before you turn on the microwave. Wipe out the inside of the microwave if after use, you find any of your food has dripped on the glass tray or inside the walls of the appliance.
2. Please wash the non-disposal dishes and utensils that you or your guests use. Throw away disposable dishes and utensils in a nearby trash bin.
3. Clean any spill you make in and around the refrigerator, on the counter, floor or any area of the kitchen or breakroom. Call maintenance at ext. [Extension number] for large spills.
4. Write your name on food you put in the refrigerator and remove it every Friday afternoon.
5. Wipe off the table after you eat when you drop food or beverages on it.
Contact [Contact person’s name] at ext. [Extension number] if you have any questions, concerns, or cannot locate cleaning supplies.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Keep in mind, the above is a simple sample. Your breakroom policy might be more or less extensive and involve other departments. Always customize the policy to meet the needs of your company without being overbearing in tone.
Put the policy it in a clear plastic sleeve. To ensure walls aren’t damaged, use wall safe tape. Optionally, a sign holder works. Post your breakroom cleaning policy in a highly visible place such as next to the microwave, coffee maker or on the refrigerator door.
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Stock the right cleaning supplies
Coworkers can only maintain shared areas if they have the correct supplies to do the job. Put paper towels and multi-surface cleaner on the countertop and extras underneath cabinets.
A stick broom, upright dustpan, mop and bucket are necessary items to have around as well.
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Place essential cleaning equipment where coworkers can find it
Your colleagues must also be able to locate the cleaning equipment to maintain the breakroom. A large closet in the kitchen or nearby room is the best place to store cleaning supplies.
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Declutter the office breakroom and kitchen area quarterly
Every year, despite your best efforts, clutter will happen. Effective decluttering makes the most difference when it’s practiced regularly, for example, at the start of each season, four times per year.
- Assign different coworkers to help declutter the breakroom each season so everyone has a turn.
- Have ready paper towels, spray disinfectant or wipes, cleaning gloves, a large trash can, and two sorting bins. Assign one bin “Keep,” the other “Review.”
- Declutter each wall separately. Work left to right around the perimeter of the room. Remove everything from the cupboards, drawers, and countertop. Place the items you want to keep in the “Keep” bin, and things you’re unsure of in the “Review” bin. Trash expired food items.
- Wipe down the cupboards and clean the countertops. Put the items in the “Keep” bin back in their designated places in the cupboards and on counters. Group similar items, and stack what can be stacked. If needed, place smaller items in plastic bins, then label each bin before storing them back in the cupboards. Use utensil organizers for kitchen drawers. Before you finish a wall, decide if you will either keep or throw out the items in the “Review” bin.
- Decluttering and cleaning the refrigerator may be your biggest challenge. Conquer and win with some office refrigerator cleaning tips.
Do you eat lunch at your desk? Ways to clean a cubicle effectively
- Use these tips to clean a cubicle or personal desk area.
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Use the right tools
Clean with a paper towel or microfiber cloth. They’re absorbent enough to grab dust, oils, and other debris that accumulates on our office desks. Wear disposable gloves for protection. In addition, grab disposable wipes. Consider wearing a face mask if your cubicle is visually dusty.
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Remove everything from your desk
Remove everything on the top of your desk and inside of it including any desk drawer organizers that hold supplies out of sight yet close by. You might be amazed at the garbage you find such as pencil shavings, candy wrappers and the like. Before you clean, place equipment safely out of the way on the floor or on the opposite end of the desk.
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Organize your papers
When organizing your papers, have this mindset: toss, file/archive, shred, or keep accessible on your desk.
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Invest in the proper sanitizing products for your desk and cabinets
For example, laminate, vinyl, steel, glass, and wood surfaces may require different cleaning solutions.
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Remove the contents of your file cabinets
Next, dust the inside of tray and desk drawers. Return the contents back to the file cabinets.
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Computer screens need special care
Only use wipes specifically for computer screens. It’s also important to properly clean your computer keyboard to increase its longevity.
Having a clean kitchen area and breakroom is a decision. Maintaining it is a habit. Furthermore, if you extend the tidying up routine to your cubicle space, you’ll reinforce your commitment to an uncluttered office life and a more focused mind.
