12 High-Touch Areas in Your Office You Should Clean Regularly

As we approach winter, the season of colds, flu and other pesky illnesses, it’s crucial to pay attention to cleanliness in the workplace. High-touch areas—those surfaces and objects that everyone reaches for daily—can become breeding grounds for germs if not cleaned regularly.

And while we may think of the toilet as the biggest culprit, many other office surfaces actually harbour more germs. To keep your team healthy and your workspace hygienic, here’s a rundown of 12 high-touch areas you should focus on over the coming months.

1. Door Handles and Push Plates

It’s no surprise that door handles and push plates are hotbeds for germs, given the number of people who touch them daily. Whether it’s the main entrance or internal office doors, these handles see heavy use and need regular cleaning.

Tip: Wipe down all door handles and push plates with disinfectant at least once a day, or even more frequently in high-traffic areas.

2. Light Switches

Light switches are small but mighty when it comes to spreading germs. These often-overlooked spots are touched several times a day, especially in shared areas like meeting rooms and break rooms.

Tip: Use antibacterial wipes or spray on light switches daily, particularly in commonly used spaces.

3. Reception Desks and Counters

Reception desks are high-contact areas, serving as a hub for staff, clients and visitors alike. Any items placed here—pens, clipboards, sign-in screens—can quickly become contaminated.

Tip: Clean reception surfaces and shared items multiple times a day, especially if visitors frequently stop by.

4. Handrails

Handrails in stairways, hallways, and entry areas are often touched by everyone coming and going. Regularly overlooked, these can quickly accumulate germs.

Tip: Sanitise handrails daily, focusing on high-traffic areas or at least once a shift if your workplace has multiple shifts.

5. Lift/Elevator Buttons

Lift buttons are a high touch point in multi-story buildings. With everyone pressing them throughout the day, they’re a prime area for germs.

Tip: Wipe down lift buttons with disinfectant at least once a day and consider hand sanitiser stations near lifts to encourage clean hands.

6. Toilet Fixtures

Beyond regular toilet area cleaning, fixtures like taps, toilet flush handles, hand dryers and cubicle locks are used frequently and need extra attention.

Tip: Clean these fixtures multiple times daily and provide hands-free options where possible to reduce contact.

7. Telephones

Office phones, especially shared ones, are hotspots for bacteria. People touch their faces and then the phone, making it a direct path for germs.

Tip: Wipe down phone handsets with alcohol wipes before and after each use if they’re shared or encourage employees to clean personal phones daily.

8. Shared Office Equipment

Items like photocopiers, printers, and fax machines are touched repeatedly by multiple people throughout the day.

Tip: Provide sanitising wipes near shared office equipment and encourage employees to wipe down buttons and handles after each use.

9. Breakroom Appliances and Surfaces

The breakroom is a social hub, but it’s also a prime spot for germs. Microwave handles, fridge doors, and coffee machine buttons all see heavy traffic.

Tip: Clean these appliances and surfaces at least once daily and encourage employees to sanitise their hands before and after using breakroom facilities.

10. Computer Keyboards and Mice

In shared workspaces, keyboards and mice are high-touch items that can easily collect germs from multiple users. Even at individual desks, they can accumulate bacteria over time.

Tip: Use compressed air to clean keyboards, then wipe down with a disinfectant. For shared desks, sanitise keyboards and mice at the start and end of each shift.

11. Meeting Room Tables and Chairs

Meeting rooms bring different people together in close quarters, with hands touching table surfaces, chair arms, and remote controls.

Tip: Wipe down tables, chairs, and equipment in meeting rooms between each use to reduce the risk of germ spread.

12. Point of Sale Systems

For offices with customer-facing setups, point of sale (POS) systems are heavily used by both employees and customers, making them a high-touch point for germ transfer.

Tip: Clean POS touch screens and card machines frequently throughout the day, especially in busy periods, and place hand sanitiser nearby for easy access.

Keep Your Office Healthier with High-Touch Cleaning

Focusing on these 12 high-touch areas is key to maintaining a healthier office. Regular cleaning can help reduce the spread of germs, keep your team healthier, and contribute to a more welcoming workspace.

Consider implementing a cleaning schedule that targets these spots daily or even more frequently during high-traffic times. For a thorough approach, bring in a professional cleaning service to help keep your office in top condition this winter.

If you want a commercial cleaning company that goes the extra mile to ensure your office is kept clean and hygienic, talk to Wixted Cleaning. We’ll be pleased to provide you with a quotation for a full professional schedule to keep your office clean and hygienic and your workers safe.

Contact us on 01525 406926 or email enquiries@wixtedcleaning.com for a free quote