When you think about cleaning your office, desks and floors probably come to mind first. But what about the hidden germ hotspots that people touch all day without even realizing? Offices are high-traffic spaces, and without proper cleaning, bacteria and viruses can linger on unexpected surfaces—leading to illness and lost productivity.

At NSG, we specialize in keeping workplaces truly clean, not just visibly tidy. Let’s take a look at some of the germiest places in your office that often go overlooked.

1. Elevator Buttons

How many people press the elevator button in your office every day? The answer: a lot. These tiny surfaces are touched constantly and rarely sanitized as often as they should be. A simple press could transfer germs from hundreds of people—making elevator buttons one of the dirtiest spots in any building.

Quick Fix: Encourage employees to use their knuckles instead of fingertips and ensure these buttons are disinfected frequently as part of your office cleaning routine.

2. Shared Keyboards & Computer Mice

Many employees eat lunch at their desks or share communal workstations, turning keyboards and mice into breeding grounds for bacteria. Studies have shown that office keyboards can have more bacteria than a toilet seat (yikes).

Quick Fix: Keep disinfectant wipes nearby and encourage employees to wipe down their keyboards and mice regularly—especially in shared spaces.

3. Breakroom Coffee Maker & Microwave Handles

Everyone loves the office coffee maker, but not everyone washes their hands before grabbing the pot. The same goes for microwave handles, where germs from raw food, coughs, and sneezes accumulate.

Quick Fix: Regularly disinfect high-touch breakroom appliances and encourage employees to wash their hands before handling communal items.

4. Door Handles & Light Switches

Think about how often doors are opened and lights are switched on throughout the day. These high-touch surfaces are rarely disinfected but collect germs from every person who touches them.

Quick Fix: Routine cleaning with disinfectant should include door handles, push plates, and light switches to prevent cross-contamination.

5. Conference Room Phones & Remote Controls

If your conference room has a speakerphone or remote control for presentations, it’s probably one of the least-cleaned objects in the office. Dozens of hands touch these surfaces, making them hotspots for bacteria and viruses.

Quick Fix: Add disinfecting conference room equipment to your regular cleaning schedule, and provide sanitizing wipes for employees to use before and after meetings.

6. Office Chair Armrests

Most employees don’t think twice about touching their chair armrests, but they accumulate sweat, food crumbs, and bacteria over time. Without regular cleaning, they can become a hidden germ zone.

Quick Fix: Include office chairs in regular deep-cleaning routines, and encourage employees to wipe down their armrests periodically.

7. Refrigerator Door Handles

If you think about it, everyone touches the fridge handle before they eat—whether their hands are clean or not. That means a single contaminated surface could spread germs to an entire office.

Quick Fix: Wipe down refrigerator handles daily and consider placing hand sanitizer near the breakroom.

A Cleaner Office Starts with a Proactive Plan

Most people don’t realize how much invisible bacteria lurks on the things they touch every day. Regular cleaning isn’t just about making your office look neat—it’s about creating a healthier environment for your employees.

At NSG, we take a proactive approach to janitorial services, ensuring high-touch surfaces are thoroughly disinfected to keep your workplace clean and safe.

Is your office as clean as you think? Let’s talk about how NSG can help you maintain a healthier workplace with professional janitorial services.