How to keep a clean office?
- Version: V240701
- Added: 28.04.2020
- Changed: 01.07.2024
- Article helped to write: Nelli-Kai Kallas, Kerstin Valdsalu, Sofia Vinogradova
Luutar OÜ is not just a brand; it is a symbol of quality and reliability. One of the key aspects of our brand is our branches, each of which is unique and attracts attention with its beautiful interior and impeccable cleanliness. To maintain the high title of the Best Pawnshop in Estonia, it is extremely important to uphold these standards of cleanliness and upkeep. Since we store valuable items and goods for our clients, we cannot afford to hire an outside person for cleaning. This requires each of us to make an effort, and for this, we are allocated paid time. Cleanliness not only supports our image but is also important for the health of all employees, as we spend a significant amount of time in these premises and breathe this air.
MAINTAINING CLEANLINESS IN YOUR OWN BRANCH
Each Luutar OÜ representative is assigned to a specific location or branch and is fully responsible for the cleanliness and order at their workplace. Therefore, it is important to make daily efforts to maintain cleanliness and workplace comfort. Cleanliness at the workplace contributes not only to a pleasant atmosphere but also enhances our productivity and mood. An organized and clean space allows us to focus on our duties and improves interaction with clients who appreciate neatness and attention to detail. Furthermore, maintaining cleanliness and order helps us uphold a high level of hygiene, which is especially important when storing valuable items and goods. Thus, we not only maintain our brand's reputation but also create a healthier and more productive work environment for all employees.
Daily cleaning during working hours:
- Regularly wiping down the surfaces of tables and display cases from dirt and dust.
- Adjusting items in the display case: price tags and items should be positioned neatly, and price tags should be visible and clearly associated with the corresponding items.
- Cleaning up visible trash, including small wrappers, papers, and other debris.
- Ensuring that all necessary cleaning supplies are always available, including cleaning agents, cloths, and disinfecting wipes.
- Disinfecting tables and surfaces as needed, especially those areas frequently touched by clients.
- Wiping down items as needed to keep them looking clean and presentable.
Daily cleaning at the end of the working day:
- Wiping down the surfaces of tables and horizontal display cases to remove traces of daily use.
- Tidying up the workspace: no unnecessary items should be left on the tables, and all work tools should be in their proper places.
- Vacuuming all carpets and soft floor surfaces, paying attention to corners and hard-to-reach areas.
- Washing all floors of the branch with warm water (if possible) with the addition of a cleaning agent. It is important not to use excessive amounts of cleaning agent to avoid white streaks.
- If the situation or clients present during the day require it, disinfect surfaces to ensure additional hygiene.
- Wiping down the glass of display cases and mirrors to remove visible stains and dirt, so they always look clean and well-maintained.
MAINTAINING CLEANLINESS IN ANOTHER BRANCH (BUSINESS TRIP)
A business trip is not a break from cleaning. Regardless of which branch you are in, it is important to leave behind a clean and tidy space. Cleaning on a business trip involves performing the same daily tasks as in your own branch. Maintaining cleanliness on a business trip demonstrates our professional responsibility and respect for colleagues working in that branch.
GENERAL CLEANING
As mentioned earlier, it is important to remember that the order of a branch is not only about aesthetics but also the health of the employees. Therefore, it is essential to clean not only the visible areas, as done during daily cleaning, but also hidden spots. Additionally, not everything can be cleaned or noticed during regular cleaning. For this, General Cleaning is provided, which should be carried out every 3 months.
Separate time is allocated for general cleaning, ranging from 2 to 4 hours depending on the size of the branch. During general cleaning, it is necessary to thoroughly clean all premises of the branch, including surfaces, corners, display cases, items, and other areas. It is important to move tables, chairs, and other movable furniture to reach hard-to-reach places. Arrange items and pawns in the warehouse and on display shelves so that everything is in its place and looks neat.
Special attention should be paid to cleaning the grout lines of floor tiles from dirt. For this, it is recommended to use special cleaning agents, brushes, and other cleaning tools to bring the entire branch into impeccable order. Such thorough cleaning not only improves the appearance of the premises but also contributes to creating a healthier working environment, reducing the risk of diseases and increasing overall comfort.
Before starting general cleaning, it is necessary to check if all the cleaning supplies are available. If any supplies are missing, it is important to purchase them in advance so as not to be distracted by this during the cleaning process. Make sure you have all the necessary cleaning agents, brushes, cloths, gloves, and other tools needed for thorough and quality cleaning.
DISPLAY CASE AND MIRROR GLASS
It is necessary to thoroughly wipe the glass of the display cases using cloths and special cleaning agents for glass surfaces. All mirrors should also be thoroughly wiped without leaving fingerprints and streaks. Special attention should be paid to the corners and edges of the glass to remove all dust and dirt.
WINDOW GLASS
Thoroughly wipe the glass using cloths and special cleaning agents for glass surfaces. If necessary, use a window cleaner. It is very important that no streaks remain on the glass. Remove tape marks from the glass. If the marks are difficult to remove, use a special agent for this purpose. Pay special attention to the corners and frames of the windows to ensure complete cleanliness and the absence of dirt.
DOOR GLASS AND HANDLES
Thoroughly wipe the glass and surfaces of the doors, including handles and frames. Pay particular attention to the frames, as a large amount of dust accumulates there. If possible, vacuum these areas. If this is not possible, carefully clean them with a brush and cloth. Make sure that no dirt or fingerprints remain on all surfaces, especially on the handles.
WINDOW SILLS
Thoroughly clean all window sills from dust and then wipe them with a damp cloth. Ensure that no dirt, dust, or streaks remain on the window sills, so they look clean and well-maintained.
WORK SURFACES
Carefully inspect surfaces for dust, dirt, and stains; remove items that hinder cleaning. Remove all traces of tape, pens, pencils, using cleaning agents and cloths. Thoroughly wipe work surfaces with a damp cloth to ensure they are clean and ready for use.
GLUE RESIDUE
Since we often use stickers, tape, and other items that leave marks on glass and surfaces, it is important to remove them to avoid leaving traces. Thoroughly clean all glue residues using special agents and cloths to ensure the surfaces look clean and well-maintained.
TABLE SHELVES AND DRAWERS
Before cleaning the shelves, it is necessary to remove all items that hinder cleaning. Then thoroughly wipe all surfaces, removing dust and dirt. After that, neatly arrange and sort the items that were on the shelves so that they are organized and easily accessible. Organize drawers so that all items and pawns are well stored and sorted.
DUST ON ALL SURFACES
We check all surfaces for dust, including partition walls. We remove dust using cloths and, if necessary, a vacuum cleaner to ensure all surfaces are clean and tidy.
DUST ON GOODS
Thoroughly and carefully wipe the goods from dust using damp cloths or wipes. Pay special attention to the screens of phones and laptops as they are in a prominent place. It is important to show the neatness and cleanliness of the goods so that clients are pleased to look at and touch them.
DUST ON WORK SURFACES
It is necessary to remove all dust with damp wipes and cloths, paying special attention to hard-to-reach places and corners where a large amount of dust accumulates.
CLEANING UNDER TABLES AND COUNTERS
Particular attention should be paid to hard-to-reach places under tables and counters! Dust also accumulates there and needs to be removed. After wiping all surfaces, go over them with a damp mop for a more thorough cleaning.
WEBS AND DEAD FLIES/COCKROACHES
Cobwebs and insect remains can be removed with a vacuum cleaner, as well as using a long-handled brush. Make sure all corners and hard-to-reach places are cleaned of these contaminants to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in the branch.
WALLS
Carefully inspect walls for stains and dirt. Thoroughly wipe these stains using cloths, brushes, sponges, and cleaning agents. Ensure the walls are clean and well-maintained without any signs of contamination.
PLUSH SURFACES OF GOLD/SILVER DISPLAY CASES
To clean the plush surfaces of display cases, first remove all gold and silver items. Then use a special roller to clean off hair, dust, and small dirt particles. If there is no roller in the branch, it is necessary to purchase one along with replacement rollers. For fine dust removal, regular tape is also effective, as it captures dust and small debris well.
SAFE
The safe also accumulates dust like all other surfaces. It is necessary to wipe it with a damp cloth, and if there are stains and marks, clean them thoroughly to ensure the safe looks clean and well-maintained.
MICROWAVE, REFRIGERATOR, DISHES
Since the kitchen is used every day, it is important that all household items are clean and tidy. Also, make sure the kitchen table is always clean. Clean the microwave both outside and inside. It is also important to keep the refrigerator clean. Do not allow a situation where food spoils inside the refrigerator and an unpleasant smell appears. Timely remove food leftovers.
SINK AND TOILET
The sink should be cleaned with a sponge and cleaning agents. Use special cleaning agents and a brush to thoroughly clean the toilet from the inside. Ensure that all surfaces are clean and hygienic.
WAREHOUSE GOODS
Timely wipe the goods in the warehouse from dirt to subsequently hand them over in a neat condition. Sort the goods in a way that makes them easier and faster to find.
BOXES AND PACKAGING MATERIALS IN THE WAREHOUSE
All boxes and packaging materials should be sorted so that they do not obstruct passage. Ensure they are neatly arranged and conveniently accessible.
REPLACING LIGHT BULBS (IF POSSIBLE)
If you notice non-working or flickering light bulbs, they need to be replaced as soon as possible. If you cannot do this yourself, contact the administration for further instructions.
CHECKING PACKAGING MATERIALS, TONERS, AND OTHER CONSUMABLES
It is important to ensure that consumables do not run out and are always in stock. If a material is running low, it needs to be ordered in time. Do not allow a situation where the consumable completely runs out. Keep track of its replenishment in a timely manner to ensure uninterrupted operation and avoid delays.
EXCESS AND WORN-OUT ITEMS
- Inform the administration about outdated equipment or furniture. Decide what to do with it: send it for repair, scrap, or disposal.
- Discard all outdated advertisements, brochures, cards, and other items.
BRANCH DEFICIENCIES
For our work, we use many consumables: toners, stickers, cassettes, labels, tape, and much more. It is important to ensure that there is always at least one spare consumable in stock to avoid a situation where work stops due to their absence. The same applies to small change and coins, which should always be in the cash register to facilitate smooth financial transactions. Constant monitoring of the availability of consumables and small change ensures our efficiency, high level of customer service, and uninterrupted operation of the branch, demonstrating our responsibility and professionalism.
- Burnt-out or flickering light bulb
- Peeling wallpaper, edges, skirting boards
- Torn or broken chairs
- Severe scratches on the glass (interfering with the visibility of goods)
- Poorly printing printer
- No advertisements displayed on TVs
- Problems with door locks or handles
- Malfunctions in the air conditioning or heating system
- Leaking plumbing or issues with the sanitation system
- Other deficiencies
CONSUMABLES AND SMALL CHANGE
All items have their lifespan or expiration date, and everything wears out. Therefore, we constantly monitor the condition of the equipment and furniture in our branch. If we notice that something is broken or worn out, we immediately report it to the responsible administrator. The administrator takes measures to fix the problem and gives the necessary instructions. Regular monitoring of the condition of the equipment and furniture helps us prevent major problems in the future, creating comfortable working conditions and improving the level of customer service. Quick detection and elimination of malfunctions ensure the smooth operation of our branch and demonstrate our responsibility and commitment to excellence, reflecting the high standards of the Luutar OÜ brand.
- Printer toner - Juri Dejanov
- Zebra consumables - INFO töötaja
- Price tag printer cassettes - INFO töötaja
- ZIP bags for laptops - Paide
- Business cards, calendars - Paide
- Office supplies - online purchases from Charlot or Büromaailm. It is also possible to buy from a local store and process the receipt through the cash register.
- Packaging materials - Juri Dejanov
- Coins - from neighboring stores or, if not possible, from the bank. Process the service receipt through the cash register.
All items have their lifespan or expiration date. Everything wears out. Therefore, it is also important to monitor the condition of the equipment and furniture in your branch. If you notice something is wrong, immediately report it to the responsible administrator. The administrator will decide how to solve your problem and give the necessary instructions.
May your branch always provide you with pleasant experiences while working in it. Good luck.