10 Simple Ways To Spring Clean Your Office Cubicle

10 Simple Ways To Spring Clean Your Office Cubicle

Spring has finally sprung and if you’re like me… you probably spend a good chunk of the day in your office cubicle. And if you’re even more like me… you hate working in a cluttered, messy, disorganized area!

So, generally, if you want to spring clean, first, put away projects you’re not actively working on. Then organize the paperwork – this means books, files, and catalogs, into binders or hanging files. They should be out of view but easily accessible.

Get a recycled tray for papers and documents that you don’t need but you might want to use to scribble tidbits of information. Shred and dispose of the rest.

If you have personal effects like grooming items, keep them away in the bottom drawers. They don’t need to be seen and they should interfere in your daily routine. The area under your desk should be clutter-free.

Keep a small trash bin under there to make sure it remains so.

Congratulations! You are done with your office spring clean.

Schedule about 15 minutes every other day to maintain the level of cleanliness you’ve just achieved.

 

Here are 10 simple ways to spring clean your office cubicle

1. Put away projects you are not currently working on. The more left out, the less space for what’s important right now.
2. Take all of your papers, books, and catalogs that you reference on occasion and place them in a binder or hanging file. Binders can be conveniently placed out of view yet easily accessible in your overhead bin.
3. Recycle or shred paper and files that you are no longer required to keep on behalf of your company. Go through your files at least two times a year. If you aren’t sure what you are required to keep, ask a manager or human resources.
4. If knick-knacks and small clutter is crowding shelves and office cubicle desk space, sweep it all up and only put back the essentials. Be selective in what you display.
5. Personal grooming items often clutter desks. Keep your lip balm, mirror, comb, and other grooming items in your office cubicle desk drawer.
6. Limit the amount of office supplies and junk drawer items you store. This can waste precious work and storage space.
7. Declutter the office cubicle walls and cabinets around you. Too many pictures, kid’s drawings, or inspirational sayings clutter the space. Aim for 80% empty wall space and 20% personal inspiration.
8. Avoid bringing any personal paperwork to your workplace. You don’t need to pay the bills at work.
9. Keep the area under your desk clear of clutter so you can stretch out your legs, hide a purse if need be, and still have room for a small garbage can or footrest.
10. Every small space must be maintained on a daily or weekly basis, otherwise, it will return to being a mess after a busy workweek. Block off time every Friday or every Monday on your schedule to keep your office cubicle clean and organized.

Now that you know how to keep your workplace tidy, there are, of course, things that you need to consider to maintain the tidiness:

 

1. Always follow company policies when spring cleaning

Company policies on retention and disposal of documentation should be followed when cleaning. Industries like healthcare, insurance, and finance have strict regulations on document management. 

 

Review your organization’s retention schedule in the employee handbook. Use approved shredders or document destruction equipment for sensitive materials.

2. Adopt Minimalism and Regular Maintenance

Limit personal items and decorations to essentials. Aim for a clean and organized space. An overcrowded cubicle will over time create distraction and minimize productivity.

Keep what you need daily and store occasional-use items neatly in drawers or bins. As we discussed before, regular cleaning will sustain a minimalistic approach. Dedicate time weekly – to tidy up your workspace.

3. Always Prioritize Your Workspace Needs

Finally, focus on what’s immediately important with work. You should establish a clear boundary between what is important and what is not. Always remember that your desk should be optimized for productivity.

 

Final Thoughts 

There are so many things additional things you can do to keep your office cubicle clean and organized but following these ten simple tips will get you going in the right direction.  Not only will this keep you looking professional, but it should also make you feel less stressed. This in turn will allow you to do the best job you can, and look forward to what spring can bring!