Top 10 Germ Hotspots in Every Workplace - Sanitising Frequently Touched Areas

Introduction

Most workplaces look clean on the surface, but the reality is that germs often lurk in the places we least expect. Studies show that shared office equipment and common areas can harbour more bacteria than the average toilet seat. Unfortunately, these hotspots are often overlooked in day-to-day cleaning routines. Here are ten of the most common areas where germs thrive — and why professional cleaning makes all the difference.

1. Keyboards and Computer Mice

Office desks are often covered in crumbs, fingerprints, and bacteria. Shared keyboards and mice are particularly unhygienic, with research showing thousands of bacteria per square inch.

2. Telephones and Headsets

Handled frequently, phones and headsets are rarely sanitised. They can spread germs quickly between users.

3. Door Handles and Light Switches

These high-touch areas are used countless times each day yet are often missed during basic cleaning.

4. Breakroom Fridge Handles

The office fridge is notorious for food spills and sticky handles. Left uncleaned, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.

5. Coffee Machines and Kettles

Shared appliances see heavy use. Moisture and warmth create ideal conditions for germs to multiply.

6. Printers and Photocopiers

Busy offices rely on printers, but few think to disinfect their buttons and touchscreens.

7. Lift Buttons and Stair Railings

Shared building features like lifts and staircases are constantly touched by hundreds of hands.

8. Shared Stationery

Pens, staplers, and clipboards are passed around without ever being cleaned.

9. Office Phones and Intercoms

Used daily, but almost never disinfected.

10. Armrests on Chairs

Fabric armrests trap dirt, sweat, and bacteria, making them one of the dirtiest office features.

11. Sanitising Frequently Touched Areas

High-touch surfaces such as door handles, light switches, lift buttons, keyboards, telephones, and handrails are hotspots for the spread of germs and bacteria. Sanitising frequently touched areas is therefore essential to reduce the risk of cross-contamination and protect the health of staff, visitors, and customers. Using approved disinfectants and paying extra attention to surfaces that are touched multiple times throughout the day ensures a cleaner, safer environment. Incorporating this practice into daily cleaning routines demonstrates a proactive approach to hygiene and infection control.

While it’s easy to overlook these areas, they play a major role in spreading illness around the workplace. Professional cleaning companies know where germs hide and use effective disinfecting techniques to keep your workplace safe. A clean, hygienic office protects staff health, boosts productivity, and gives clients the confidence that they’re in a safe and professional environment.