An experiment has been carried out which has revealed just how many germs are on the everyday items in our offices.

As businesses across the country prepare for a return to work during the coronavirus pandemic, workspace cleanliness is at the forefront of many people’s minds.

Keeping work and common areas as clean as possible is a vital step towards reducing the risk of transmitting Covid-19 – or any other illness – and the NHS has warned some viruses can live for weeks on hard surfaces, including kitchen worktops, door handles and even everyday items on an office desk.

So offices supplies company Viking carried out a project to see just how many invisible germs surround us while we’re at work.

The firm used swabs and petri dishes before the pandemic to test some of the areas where bacteria and fungi is likely to grow.

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The areas tested were where the average worker is most likely to come in contact with over the couse of a normal day. These areas were:

• Hot water boiler
• Computer mouse
• Photocopier
• Keyboard
• Desk surface
• Computer mouse (cleaned with wipes)
• Main corridor door handle
• Telephone mouthpiece
• Chewed pencil
• Chewed pen

The cotton buds were sterilised before use and hands were washed in between samples to prevent cross-contamination. The bacteria was left to breed in a warm place for five days. Here are the results:

Computer mouse

Since the sample taken from the mouse that had been cleaned exhibited the least amount of growth, it also highlighted just how important it was to regularly clean your equipment and work surfaces – particularly when somebody in your office is ill, or during a situation such as Covid-19.

Desk and copier

The desk’s sample showed probably the largest range of bacteria and fungi, probably due to the wide range of things coming into contact with it on a daily basis. The trend for workers to eat ‘al desko’ is also likely responsible for some of the microorganisms present on this particular plate.

Copiers also seem to be very dirty – possibly because they could be missed in the cleaning process. As it might be used to a wide variety of people, this could be a prime point of transmission for any illness.

Boiler and door

The boiler showed some interesting and unique growth that might look different to some of the other samples, simply because it is taken from an area kept hotter than most other areas in the office. This makes it a breeding ground for bacteria.

The door is not as surprising, but despite its notable growth it isn’t as extensive as some of the other plates. Viking deduced this is likely due to the fact it is cleaned everyday by the office’s cleaners. However, it seems that this makes the existing growth even more revealing since it will be based on just a day’s worth of contact and exposure.

Chewed stationery

Chewed ballpoint pens and pencils seem to harbour many germs, even after they’ve been left ‘unchewed’ for a few days. The problem here is that, if you chew your pen, you’re essentially creating a point of contagion that you then carry around with you.

Lend it to a colleague and you could be exposing them to something that makes them ill. On top of all this, if the pen itself becomes contaminated you’re then bringing this contamination straight into your mouth…

Phone and keyboard

These samples were surprising in their lack of development. This may simply be that the surfaces were cleaner than expected, but Viking thinks the sample may have been incorrectly collected resulting in an unrepresentative result.

The experiment highlighted that although the bacteria found would originally have been at levels that were unlikely to cause any harm, thorough office cleaning is needed to help reduce germs around communal areas and equipment.

It also shows areas of the office that could act as points of contagion should anything really harmful, such as Covid-19, remain there.

What to include on an office cleaning checklist

Cleaning company Mrs Bucket has created an office cleaning checklist to make sure it’s as contagion-free as possible. Here’s what it recommends:

Your computer: Mrs Bucket says your computer, mouse and keyboard often harbour more germs than the average toilet seat – not the nicest fact to know! Therefore, to avoid these festering germs, clean your computer, keyboard and mouse with antibacterial wipes or sprays as often as possible, particularly if you’re one of those office workers who eats lunch at their desk.

Your drawer: While it’s not as frequently used as your desk and laptop, your drawers can still harbour germs and dust. Go through drawers regularly, getting rid of clutter and sort through paperwork. If you keep fruit or biscuits in your drawer, make sure you don’t keep them in there for too long as they can become breeding grounds for germs and often leave an unpleasant smell in the office.

Telephone: While your commercial cleaner may clean your telephone handset regularly, you may want to use antibacterial wipes just to remove any extra germs which have gathered throughout the day. This is particularly important if you share handsets as this is a prime way of picking up unwanted illnesses.

Reception area: This is key to making a good impression to clients so make sure the whole area is presentable. Hoover every day and wipe down the main desk and seating area. Clean doors to remove any handprints and cobwebs.

Toilet and bathroom areas: Cleaning the bathroom is extremely important to maintaining the health and wellbeing of staff. Cleaners should clean basins, toilets and bathroom floors every day thoroughly. They should ensure bins are emptied and that there is enough toilet room, soap and paper towels. Polish all mirrors and wipe down any surfaces and door handles with sanitiser. It may also be worth putting an air fragrance spray in the bathroom to get rid of any unpleasant odours.

Kitchen: Most commercial cleaners will be aware of how important keeping the kitchen sanitised is but make sure they pay particular attention to disinfecting all work surfaces, floors and sinks. Also ensure they clean the fridge and microwave as again these are areas which are prime for picking up unwanted germs.

General office cleaning: Empty all bins regularly and sanitise them, hoover all floors, and wipe down and sanitise any tables, particularly if they are communal. Clean all windows, removing any fingerprints, including windowsills. Wipe and sanitise all door handles to avoid the spread of unwanted illnesses. Sanitise high traffic items such as photocopiers, printers and telephones.

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