Originally posted on https://grimescrubbers.com/office-kitchen-rules-commercial-cleaning-company-springfield-mo/

Have you ever found a moldy sandwich in your office’s fridge? Ever had a yogurt go missing? Ever seen a dirty dish relax in the sink for a week? Maybe you have, maybe you haven’t, but either way, I think we can all agree that office kitchen rules are absolutely necessary to eliminate these frustrating, disturbing, and unsanitary situations.

If your workplace has a kitchen or break-room, you need to establish some basic office kitchen rules. Rules let everyone in the office know what’s expected of them and (hopefully) put an end to those awkward confrontations over microwave explosions and spilled coffee. Although every office is different, your commercial cleaning company in Springfield Missouri has compiled a list of general office kitchen rules that you can pick and choose from to create a personalized cleaning plan for your workplace.

1. Label any food that you put in the fridge. If the food is yours, put your name on it. If you brought it in for everyone to enjoy, label it accordingly.
2. Don’t eat food that isn’t yours. Plain and simple.
3. Wash and dry dishes immediately after use. Don’t let them soak in the sink.
4. If you spill something, wipe it up immediately. Whether it’s on the countertop, floor, fridge, or even a chair, don’t ignore it and say you’ll come back to it later. Do it now.
5. Use a cover when microwaving anything that might splatter. If you don’t have a real cover, a paper towel will do.
6. If your food does splatter in the microwave, wipe it up.
7. If you use the last of a supply, replace it or notify the correct person. This might include plastic utensils, paper towels, dish soap, etc.
8. Schedule fridge clean-outs. If you leave food in the fridge on the planned day, it will be thrown away.
9. If you see moldy, rotten food in the fridge, throw it away even if it doesn’t belong to you. If you’re concerned that the owner will be upset, let them know (if you know who they are) or leave a note.
10. If you’re planning a party or meeting and you need to store a lot of food in the fridge, give your coworkers notice. They need time to remove any excess items they’ve been storing.
11. Establish a community counter or table, where employees can leave food that they don’t want. This food is fair game to anyone. If a particular item has been in the community area for several days and no one is eating it, throw it away (or donate it, if it’s nonperishable).
12. If you drink coffee from the community coffee pot, you must contribute to its upkeep. If there’s not enough coffee left in the pot for a cup, throw it out or make a new pot. Make enough coffee for others to share. Clean the coffee pot out when you’re finished.
13. Store your food properly. Use safe containers (like tupperware), keep items covered, and clean up loose bits (fallen crumbs, spills, messy bottles).
14. Don’t take up more than your fair share of room in the fridge and pantry. You can decide how much space is appropriate depending on the size of your fridge/pantry and the number of employees using it.
15. Whenever you add dishes/utensils to the drying rack, put a few away as well. Of course, you could also dry the item immediately and put it away.

For best results, we recommend that you establish a firm set of rules that you and your colleagues can all agree upon. Then, to be sure that no one forgets or ignores your office kitchen rules, create a clear and concise poster to hang in the kitchen as a reminder. By following a set list of office kitchen rules from your commercial cleaning company, you’ll ensure that the kitchen stays clean, neat, and comfortable. If you need further help with office cleaning in Springfield Missouri call Grime Scrubbers today.