The Most Overlooked Cleaning Areas in Facilities and How to Tackle Them
When most people think of a clean facility, they picture shiny floors, spotless windows and empty trash bins. But the truth is, some of the dirtiest places in your building are the ones you don’t see or simply forget to clean. These overlooked cleaning areas in facilities can quietly accumulate dust, grime and bacteria that affect air quality, employee health and the lifespan of your equipment.
Here are the most commonly missed spots and practical ways to tackle them.
Air vents, light fixtures and ceiling fans
It’s easy to forget what’s above eye level. Unfortunately, dust and allergens love to settle on vents, fixtures and fans, and when it kicks on, they spread throughout your facility.
- How to tackle it: Schedule quarterly cleanings. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter for vents, and microfiber cloths or dusters for fixtures. For ceiling fans, extendable dusting tools can make the job safer and easier.
High-touch surfaces
Elevator buttons and shared keyboards are among the germiest places in any building. They’re used all day but often skipped in routine cleaning.
- How to tackle it: Add these spots to daily disinfecting checklists. Stock up on EPA-approved disinfectants, such as GOJO Multi-Surface Wipes and GOJO Hand Sanitizer, to reduce the spread of germs and protect occupants.
Beneath and behind appliances and furniture
Out of sight, out of mind. Dust bunnies, crumbs and other debris can accumulate under refrigerators, breakroom snack machines and heavy desks.
- How to tackle it: Move equipment around every so often for deep cleans. If that’s not realistic, use long-handled brushes and vacuum attachments designed for hard-to-reach areas.
Cabinets, drawers and storage spaces
Drawers and cabinets get filled, emptied and refilled, but rarely cleaned. When left unchecked, they can harbor crumbs, dust or even mold.
- How to tackle it: Empty, vacuum and wipe down interiors every few months and every time they are emptied. Allow them to dry completely before restocking. Organizational bins or liners can help keep them cleaner longer.
Window tracks, blinds and drapes
Windows might sparkle, but the tracks and coverings around them are dust magnets. Blinds collect layers of grime, while window tracks can grow mold in humid conditions.
- How to tackle it: Use a small brush or old toothbrush to loosen dirt from tracks, then vacuum or wipe clean. For blinds, microfiber cloths or specialty blind dusters make the job faster. Drapes should be vacuumed with an upholstery attachment or steam-cleaned.
Restroom blind spots
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- How to tackle it: Train staff to check all sides of fixtures, including behind and underneath. Use restroom-specific disinfectants and pay extra attention to ventilation, which helps reduce germ spread.
The key to a healthier, safer facility is consistency. Daily disinfecting of high-touch areas, combined with quarterly deep cleans of these overlooked cleaning areas in facilities, keeps your environment fresh and reduces long-term maintenance issues.
True cleanliness isn’t just about appearances; it’s about the hidden places that make a real difference in air quality, safety and comfort. By giving attention to these overlooked areas, your facility will not only look cleaner but be cleaner.