Office Cleaning: 5 Tips To Minimize Spring Allergies

If you or any of your employees suffer from seasonal allergies, then you know that this time of year can be a potentially difficult one at the office because pollen and other allergens begin to wake up and spread after the winter. It should go without saying that no one enjoys the sneezing, congestion, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, and sinus pressure that allergies so commonly cause.

Because the arrival of spring happens to coincide with the start of employees returning to their offices at a greater number and rate, meaning office cleaning is being directed by COVID-19 safety protocols, it’s a great time to integrate some allergy-reducing measures in your office cleaning routine. Here are 5 tips to minimize spring allergies:

#1: Increase the Frequency of Vacuuming Your Floors

Most offices employ janitorial services once a week, right after everyone leaves on Fridays. If you want to minimize spring allergies, especially from dust, think about amending your cleaning schedule to include vacuuming the office first thing every morning.

#2: Dust Your Furniture Frequently

The second most common resting place for dust allergies is on (and especially underneath) your office furniture. It’s critical to increase the frequency of dusting your office furniture in order to reduce spring allergies. Consider stocking up on dusting supplies for your employees and encouraging them to collaborate and split up dusting responsibilities each day.

#3: Clean and Dust Your Curtains and Blinds Daily

The third and perhaps most neglected dust-collecting office feature are its curtains (or blinds). It may be useful to check your janitorial service contract to see if frequent dusting of your curtains and blinds is included, and adding it to the list if it isn’t. Why? Like your furniture and floors, dust lands on, attaches to, and quietly builds on whatever covers your windows, and this means allergies.

#4: Service Your HVAC, Replace Filters & Clean Vent Covers Daily

Having your HVAC system serviced and cleaned and its air filters replaced is one of the most critical steps in mitigating spring allergies in your office. Dust mites, pollen, and dander easily travel and circulate through your office through its air vents. A comprehensive cleaning, filter change, and the daily cleaning of vent covers will go a long way in reducing allergy-triggering contaminants.

#5: Check Plumbing for Mold & Schedule Remediation if You Find Any!

Wherever your office has plumbing, make sure to thoroughly scan on, under, in, and around those areas for mold. Building off of tip #4, if your office HVAC system hasn’t been serviced in a while and your air circulation isn’t (or wasn’t, until after you read this blog) great, then there may be some hidden mold. This is a problem for everyone but a crisis to those with who are allergic as it can trigger or complicate allergy symptoms and respiratory issues.