Are Hidden Germs Haunting Shared Office Spaces?

Shared office spaces are very common in the corporate world. They are great for employee collaboration and space optimisation, however, these spaces are breeding ground for germs and bacteria.

As a commercial cleaning provider for corporate spaces, we prioritise keeping your offices clean and hygienic.

In this blog we expose the hidden germs within your offices and how we combat the concerns and risks that follow.

Where Do Germs Hide in Shared Offices?

Hidden germs can result in staff wellbeing, absenteeism and negative brand connotations. Germs and bacteria increase the risk of illness and spread of disease, which can result in employees becoming unwell and feeling concerned for health and safety compliance.

High-touch Points

Often guests touch door handles and bathroom taps in their office spaces without hesitation or thinking of the germs it may carry. Most infections travel around your offices due to commonly touched fixtures.

These areas may include:

Door handles and push plates
Shared kitchen appliances
Conference room remotes
Lift buttons and stair handrails
Bathroom fixtures

Soft-furnishing Risks

Fabrics hold higher rates of microbes and allergens compared to hard furnishings. National Institutes of Health found that bacteria at room temperature lasts the longest when hidden within polyester furnishings. This bacterium was able to last up to 206 days compared to 90 days for cotton and mixed fibre furnishings.

Clean Smart found that by implementing effective routines can decrease the risk and spread of surface bacteria by 99%. National Institutes of Health found that detailed cleaning practices can reduce bacteria by 75%.

Surface	Bacterium Issue	Cleaning Technique
Upholstery	Dust mites and bacteria	Regular vacuuming and periodic steam cleaning
Carpets	Stain build-up and deep-rooted bacteria holding	Regular vacuuming paired with carpet deep cleans and spot treatments
Ceiling Tiles and vents	Mould and dust	Scheduled HVAC maintenance and cleaning

Operational Impacts of Poor Office Hygiene

Low-level office hygiene levels can result in major operational costs.

Some risks may include:

High Staff Turnover
Office Fixture Deterioration
Negative Company Image
Increased Staff Sick Days
Legal and Compliance Costs

These risks can affect profit and continuity due to the concerns that come from these risks. For example, reductions in absenteeism, can result in measurable productivity gains.

In order to keep these risks at bay, you can increase and optimise cleaning services. By working closely with your office cleaning provider and sharing your concerns, we can combat these risks and in turn, increase your operations.

Practical Cleaning Implementations for Offices

Working with your cleaning provider to implement tailored solutions across your cleaning regime can significantly optimise office operations. This improvement supports greater productivity and, ultimately, higher turnover.

Tailored Daily Cleaning

Each office varies in size, capacity and design. With a tailored commercial cleaning routine, your cleaning provider can meet the specific needs of your office.

As your cleaning partner we can implement products and techniques to meet these requirements. Tailored schedules begin with a detailed assessment of your business needs, from environmental, governance and sustainability (ESG) requirements, to visual aesthetics and operation systems, with some washroom consumables, such as Re:mind, reducing transport carbon emissions and increasing recycling rates.

After these needs and requirements are assessed, a detailed plan is then created by your cleaning provider to ensure high standards of hygiene throughout your offices.

Tailored plans provide many operational benefits, such as:

Specific Requirements Addressed: A tailored plan to meet each requirement to a high standard.
Cost-effectiveness: All services provided are to benefit your business. All services that are deemed unnecessary are taken out of the cleaning plan to reduce costs and optimise timing.
Flexibility: Cleaning tasks are made to fit your required hours to avoid disruption of your services and operations.
Consistency and Quality: Regular audits to ensure standards are met throughout the contract.

Cleaning Products and Equipment

Products and equipment can be implemented throughout the contract to eliminate all hidden germs and dust particles. Using deep cleaning machines and equipment, this bacterium can be erased without affecting office details.

Essential Cleaning Products:

Washroom consumables – Essential for promoting personal hygiene in bathrooms and communal areas with high-touch points.

Eco-friendly chemicals – reduces toxins released into the air to create a healthier indoor air quality and reduce environmental impact.

Zone specific cleaning solutions – optimises the impact of the cleaner, removing as much dirt and bacteria as possible.

Essential Cleaning Equipment:

Reusable and washable cleaning cloths – reduces waste and equipment costs.

Innovative waste streams – provides data on a granular level for each office. Systems such as Weightron and Nando.

Smart cleaning schedule trackers – provides data of washroom consumable levels and task completion.

Practical Implementation Strategies:

Clear cleaning schedule – implement a routine for daily, weekly, and monthly tasks to ensure each office fixture and area is covered.

Empowering staff – through education and easy access to products such as hand sanitiser

Clutter management – encourage staff to manage and tidy desks to make the cleaning process easier and more effective.

Environmentally conscious cleaning products and equipment can be easily implemented to your office cleaning schedules. As sustainably led cleaning experts, we ensure that each product implementation not only effectively removes dirt and grime, but also protects your employees from harmful substances. With the support of your cleaning partner, they can carefully choose a core set of products and equipment that maintain hygiene and professional appearances.

Deep Cleaning and Periodic Works

Professional deep cleans are crucial for ensuring maximum disinfection of shared spaces. Researchers found that enhanced, detailed deep cleaning can be 24% more effective at removing hidden dirt than regular routine cleaning.

The cleaning addressed hidden germs in vents and upholstery, which improved indoor air quality and overall health.

Professional deep clean and periodic works can include, but are not limited to the following tasks

Carpet Cleaning
Hard Floor Maintenance
External Maintenance
Kitchen Appliance Cleaning
Sanitary Ware
Ceiling and High-Level Cleaning
Fabric Fixtures, Chairs and Blinds
Hard Floor Cleaning
Internal Partition Windows

With these services, hidden dirt can be removed which is essential for maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Periodic works and deep cleans can be scheduled at specific intervals that works for you.

Find out more in our blog: What to Expect from a Professional Deep Clean

Free your office of its hidden germs

Tackling problem areas within offices spaces can be tricky. As your committed cleaning provider, we can optimise your spaces without disrupting your daily office operations.

We work with corporate clients across England to deliver high standard commercial cleaning to the highest standard. With our services, we can enhance your offices and create a cleaner, healthier environment for all.

2nd November 2025