Dusting is one of those tasks that never seems to be completed. Once you have gone over the entire area, it seems you could sometimes begin again. The best way to approach the task of dusting is with a better understanding of the nature of the problem. This will allow you to properly train your staff in the fine art dust collection and removal.
Remember that total dust removal is essential to building a clean and hygienic work environment.
What is dust?
Dust is composed of very tiny particles most of which can only be seen through a magnifying lens and easily travel through the air. Airborne dust particles can be lifted in the air, travel for a distance and then alight on desks, windowsills, shutters, blinds, and any other surface that could conceivably hold dust.
The most common constituents of dust include pollen, dirt, soil, soot, hair, fabric fibres, microscopic decaying insects, plant materials and dead skin cells, called dander.
Dusting an office building is so important!
Dusting must be carried out in every office building and in every work environment. Most importantly, a dusty environment looks sloppy and shabby.
It is also a risk for the health of those within the office building and can effectively prevent “sick office syndrome”. A clean office leaves a good impression on clients and business associates as well as helps promote pride and improved productivity in office workers.
One of the most important reasons that keeping an office space regularly dusted is to improve environmental safety. Accumulated dust is easily transmitted to the fingers, hands, eyes and mouth and can lead to sickness and allergic reactions. In addition to soiling hands, accumulated dust can also soil clothing, important papers and begin to deteriorate costly electronic equipment. Airborne dust particles can also spread infection and disease.
Cleaning Equipment You Will Need to Dust an Office Building
A proper dusting will need a wide assortment of cleaning items to address every inch and surface of the office building. Here is what we recommend:
Microfiber Cloths –one damp for cleaning coffee rings, fingerprints and a dry one for dusting everything else.
Static Dusters
Extension Duster – sufficiently extensive to address all hard to reach areas
Cotton Cloths
All-purpose surface cleaner
Furniture Polish
Window Cleaner
Back Pack vacuum Cleaners – with the full set of attachments for cleaning all surfaces, including the crevice tool needed for reaching hard to reach spots.
Personal protection equipment – safety goggles, face-mask, gloves, etc.
How often should you dust?
Dusting should be done as often as needed depending on the measure of dust that is brought into the environment. But you should dust no less than once a week. Sides of desks and cabinets as well as doors and some walls can be dusted bi-weekly.
Divide the room into 2 sections, everything that is above eye level or below knee level should be dusted once every week. Everything in between this margin, should be dusted every week.
Proper Dusting Protocol
Effective dusting must be planned, programmed, and practiced with precision. Here are some steps to apply in your office dusting that apply to buildings, floors, and each individual room.
Start at the top and work your way down; upstairs to downstairs and ceiling to floor. Begin at one end of the room and work your way to the other in a circle either to the right or left.
Move everything and dust underneath, including phones, pencil holders, paperweights, desk lamps, etc. Piles of papers should be moved and dusted under as well, unless the customer has indicated otherwise.
Consider each motion and be careful not to agitate the dust or flick it off the surface you are cleaning. This will only succeed in scattering more dust across the area. Use a wiping action to clean the surface.
Wipe spots and smudges on walls and desks with the damp clean microfiber cloth as you move across the room. Remember that each time the cloth is filled with dust, rinse it out before you continue
When cleaning computer monitors, TV screens and LCD, use the dry microfiber cloth to gently clean the surfaces of the screen – and it is essential that you do this as gently as you possibly can. Some clients will ask that you not perform this task, so it is important to follow the client’s wishes
When cleaning all wooden surfaces on desks, cabinets or tables dust with the grain and only apply furniture polish if the client has requested this. Chairs are dusted from the top to bottom. Begin with the horizontal surfaces at the top of the chair and work your way down to the lower levels, seat, and legs. Make sure that all vertical surfaces are addressed at the same time.
Blinds must also be dusted from the top to the bottom, begin with the uppermost section and dust along the top. Then close the blinds and dust the blinds across the surface with either the micro cloth or the backpack vacuum and brush attachment. Then when this is done, close the blinds in the opposite direction to reveal the side that has not yet been dusted and dust this side as well.
As you make your way down corridors and hallways, make sure you dust any and all horizontal surfaces. Make sure you also address light switches, exit signs, fire extinguishers, fire doors, door frames and jambs, showcases, bars on the exit doors as well as any other vertical, horizontal, or perpendicular surface you find.
Make sure you dust any other places where you think that dust could possibly accumulate, including picture frames, cabinet handles, sides of desks, baseboards, light fixtures, etc.
Proper dusting is important not only to keeping your employees healthy and inspired but making a good impression with your valued clients. Paying attention to your surroundings will help improve every aspect of your business and boost brand image.
For all of your commercial cleaning needs, contact the team at Evergreen Commercial Cleaning & Janitorial and we’ll be happy to get rid of your dust!
