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Redefining a Clean Office EnvironmentThe coronavirus will change how we clean, disinfect and sanitize the workplace.

This article is an update to our Steelcase guide“Navigating What’s Next: The Post-COVID

Workplace.”

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing us in somany ways — one of the most noticeable beingour definition of cleanliness. Hand sanitizer, handsoap and disinfectant wipes are difficult, if notimpossible, to find at stores. We’re no longer justworried about dirt we can see; we’re guardingagainst a highly contagious virus, as well as allthe invisible germs we’ve always tried to clean.It’s a physical concern that carries with it asignificant mental and emotional load. Ascompanies consider how to transition peopleback to the workplace, the ways we clean,disinfect and sanitize must not only change, theymust also be more transparent. The first step isto simplify the complexity around what a cleanoffice means.

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One silver lining here is that a new dialogue isopening up between manufacturers and facilitymanagers. Information about how to safely cleanmaterials used in a variety of furnitureapplications has always been included inaccompanying brochures or manuals. Thesedetailed descriptions can be too easily set asideuntil they’re needed. Steelcase experts insurface materials suggest that, just as we checkthe labels on our clothes before washing them,we should also check the cleaning guidelines forfabrics and surfaces in the workplace and usethe method that is the least likely to causedamage while still being effective. Now that thespotlight is on infection control, this informationstill accompanies each product, but it’s alsobecoming more user-friendly and there’s arenewed focus on a mutually-beneficial back-and-forth conversation between materialsexperts and the people taking care of workplacesaround the world.

As new scientific discoveries are made aroundvirus transmission, we’ll continue to add to ourknowledge about what can stop the virus fromspreading. But after more than a century of usinginternal labs to rigorously test our products, wecan share what we know right now by helping todefine some commonly used (and misused)terms.

Cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing are not thesame thing.

Cleaning removes germs, dirt and impuritiesfrom surfaces or objects with soap (or detergent)and water. Cleaning does not necessarily killgerms, but lowers their numbers and the risk ofspreading infection.

Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs onsurfaces. It does not necessarily clean dirtysurfaces or remove germs, but by killing germson a surface after cleaning, it can lower the riskof spreading infection.

Sanitizing lowers the number of germs onsurfaces or objects to a safe level. This processeither cleans or disinfects surfaces and objectsto lower the risk of spreading infection.

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Cleaning products used to eliminate stains maynot always be effective disinfectants and viceversa. To learn more about specific cleaning anddisinfecting recommendations for hard and softsurfaces, visit our “Cleaning Your SteelcaseProducts” page online.

A BROAD RANGE OF CHOICEIn addition to considering how to clean existingproducts, organizations are considering whatmaterials they should add in the future. Thegood news is offices are not limited to just a fewoptions that may feel very clinical, just becausethey need to clean and disinfect with a bleachcleanable product.

“There’s worry from customers and designersthat in order to provide more materials that arecleanable with a disinfectant, the pendulum willswing too far and environments will shift tofeeling sterile,” says Kari Miller, Steelcasesurface materials product manager. “But thatdoesn’t have to be the case. There is already abroad range of designs from Steelcase,Designtex and our partners — hundreds ofoptions in textiles, hard and soft surfaces andother materials that can be cleaned anddisinfected without degrading the surface.”

While materials have always been rigorouslytested for cleaning, they haven’t always beentested for disinfection. The coronavirus hasaccelerated testing of how materials andproducts react to disinfecting solutions. TheSteelcase test lab is up and running, so thatmaterials experts can learn and share moreabout what is compatible and what is not.

“There is an exciting sense of urgency aroundmaterials science right now as well as workbeing done on possible disinfecting and cleaningsolutions,” says Melissa Hart, Steelcase surfacematerials product director. “We are working withDesigntex and our partner network to monitor,review and evaluate solutions and their impacton our portfolio of materials. We’re committed tosharing what we learn as quickly as possible.”

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RESOURCES AVAILABLE NOW:

• Cleaning and Disinfecting Products and CleaningQ&A

• Material Cleaning and Care Instructions

To learn more about design considerations when planning for the now, near and far time horizons, readthe Navigating What’s Next: The Post-COVID Workplace guide.

Navigating What’s Next

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