7 High Touch Spots in the Office You Are Probably Forgetting
Maintaining cleanliness in office spaces is crucial for employee health and overall productivity. Regular cleaning helps control germs and maintains a professional environment. However, in many cases, cleaning routines tend to focus only on visible areas. Surfaces that appear clean may still harbour harmful bacteria, especially those that are frequently touched throughout the day. These are known as high touch spots.
Overlooking them can allow germs to spread quickly from one person to another. It is important to identify and clean these hidden high contact areas regularly. Many professional cleaning teams are trained to pay attention to these often missed zones. This blog highlights seven such high touch spots in the office that are often overlooked. A detailed look at these areas can help improve office hygiene standards.
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]1. Door Handles and Push Plates
Door handles are one of the most touched surfaces in any office. Employees, visitors, and delivery staff use them throughout the day. Whether it's the front entrance, meeting room, or bathroom, these handles collect germs quickly. Push plates on doors, especially in commercial buildings, also gather bacteria from repeated contact. Many people forget to clean them regularly because they do not appear dirty. However, these surfaces can lurk harmful microbes for hours. A proper and professional end of lease cleaning Melbourne team includes these areas in their detailed cleaning checklist. Using disinfectant sprays or wipes on these areas daily can help reduce the risk of illness spreading through contact.
2. Desk Phones and Conference Devices
Office phones are used more often than people realise. Employees use them to make calls, transfer clients, and connect with colleagues. In conference rooms, shared phones or communication systems are often handled by multiple people. These devices often have keypads, touch screens, and receivers that come into contact with faces and fingers. Germs from one person can easily transfer to another. If not cleaned daily, these gadgets become breeding grounds for bacteria. Wiping them with disinfectant before and after meetings is a smart habit. It not only keeps the surface clean but also helps maintain hygiene. Making this a part of routine cleaning can prevent unseen germs from spreading across the office.
3. Light Switches and Power Buttons
Light switches are touched multiple times daily, often by different people. Whether entering a meeting room, washroom, or common area, employees flip switches without thinking. Similarly, power buttons on shared devices, such as printers, monitors, or desktops, are often overlooked. These small spots can collect oils, dirt, and germs from several hands. Since they do not appear dirty, people tend to overlook them, but they require cleanliness. A detailed end of lease cleaning Melbourne service always covers these areas because they know the risks of missed spots. Regularly disinfecting switches and power buttons helps maintain overall workplace cleanliness.
4. Office Chair Armrests

Employees spend long hours at their desks. Office chairs are touched continuously, especially the armrests. Over time, sweat, oils, and skin particles accumulate in these areas. Since the dirt is not always visible, cleaning staff may miss them during quick cleaning rounds. But the germs remain. They can easily transfer to hands, keyboards, and phones. Deep cleaning should always include the armrests and back support of chairs. This helps remove hidden dirt, creating a cleaner environment for everyone. Regular cleaning of office furniture should never exclude chair surfaces. You can use white vinegar spray to kill germs and bacteria. Disinfecting wipes can also do wonders.
5. Elevator Buttons and Handrails
Elevator buttons are one of the most used spots in any multi floor office. Employees, clients, and visitors touch them throughout the day. Since these buttons are small and metallic, they do not show signs of dirt. However, bacteria from many hands stay on their surface for hours. The same applies to handrails in stairwells, corridors, or entryways. They support safety, but also become a hotspot for germs. These areas are often overlooked during daily cleaning due to their size or location. That said, they are critical when it comes to hand hygiene. Elevators and handrails should be sanitised multiple times a day to reduce the risk of infection spread in office buildings.
6. Shared Kitchen Appliances
Everyone uses the office kitchen. During coffee or lunch breaks, people gather here to prepare food or drinks. Appliances such as microwaves, refrigerators, kettles, and coffee machines are touched frequently. Fridge and microwave handles collect fingerprints, spills, and bacteria from food. Buttons on vending machines or toasters are also commonly shared. These items often do not get cleaned until they become visibly dirty. Relying on experienced end of lease cleaning Melbourne services ensures these spots get the proper attention. Cleaning kitchen surfaces, handles, and buttons should be a daily task. Kitchen surfaces and appliances will prevent food from poisoning. Doing so keeps shared spaces clean and safe for all employees who use them.
7. Stationery and Office Supplies
Shared office supplies may seem harmless, but they carry more germs than most people expect. Pens, staplers, scissors, calculators, and hole punchers are passed around from desk to desk. These items are rarely sanitised. Yet they are handled by many people daily. Small items like these do not appear dirty, so they are usually skipped during cleaning.
Germs can remain on their surfaces and transfer to hands, faces, and other equipment. It is a good idea to encourage each employee to use their own supplies. Additionally, regularly cleaning shared items with alcohol based wipes helps limit the spread of bacteria. This creates a more sanitary and professional work setting.
8. Improving Cleaning Awareness Among Staff
Maintaining a clean workplace isn’t just the responsibility of professional cleaners. It also requires daily involvement from staff. Sharing useful facts about cleaning can help create awareness and promote consistent hygiene practices. This, in turn, can lead to a healthier and more productive environment.
- Promote good hygiene habits by encouraging staff to clean up regularly between professional cleaning visits.
- Place disinfectant wipes near shared items, such as tools, kitchen appliances, and desk phones, to make quick cleaning easy and accessible.
- Use visual reminders such as posters or office wide messages to reinforce cleaning expectations.
- Encourage personal responsibility for keeping individual and shared workspaces clean and organised.
- Support professional cleaning efforts by maintaining cleanliness daily to extend the impact of deep cleaning.
- Educate staff about high touch areas that are often missed, building a culture of shared hygiene awareness.
- Highlight the long term benefits, such as fewer sick days and improved productivity, to motivate consistent cleaning behaviour.
Ways To Clean The High Touch Areas In the Office
Wrapping Up
Office cleanliness extends beyond visible surfaces. High contact points need extra attention. Ignoring them may lead to the spread of illness. Cleaning routines should focus on these overlooked areas. A cleaner workspace always leads to healthier employees and better work performance.