Keeping an office clean isn’t just about appearances – it’s about health, productivity, and making a great impression on employees and visitors alike. Most workplaces do a great job wiping down desks, emptying trash cans, and cleaning breakrooms. But even with regular janitorial routines, there are several often-overlooked spots that quietly collect dust, grime, and germs.
Today we’re highlighting the most forgotten places in an office – and the best tools and cleaning products to keep them truly clean.
1. Keyboard and Mouse Crevices
Why It’s Neglected: Keyboards and mice are some of the most frequently used tools in an office — yet they rarely get a proper cleaning. Between crumbs, coffee splashes, and the invisible transfer of germs from hands, these devices become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Cleaning Products to Use: 
- Compressed Air Duster: Blast away crumbs and debris from between keys.
- Electronics-Safe Wipes: Choose wipes that are safe on screens and peripherals to gently sanitize surfaces.
- Microfiber Cloth: For gentle polishing without scratching.
Pro Tip: Encourage employees to keep disinfectant wipes at their desks for quick daily clean-ups.
2. Phone Handsets and Headsets
Why It’s Neglected: Desk phones and shared headsets often go untouched by cleaning crews, even though they’re in constant contact with hands and faces.
Cleaning Products to Use:
- Antimicrobial Surface Wipes: Perfect for daily wipe-downs.
- Disposable Covers: Particularly useful for shared headsets in call centers or reception areas.
Tip for Shared Devices: Create a small cleaning station with wipes and instructions to encourage use between shifts.
3. Light Switches and Door Handles
Why It’s Neglected: People touch these surfaces dozens of times a day — yet they’re rarely part of a routine cleaning checklist. Germs can linger here longer than on most other surfaces.
Cleaning Products to Use: 
- Antibacterial Spray: Spray and wipe with a microfiber cloth.
- Disinfecting Wipes: Quick and effective for high-touch areas.
- Electrostatic Sprayer: For larger spaces, this can coat hard-to-reach areas evenly.
💡 Maintenance Hack: Add these to a daily checklist so they get wiped down at least once every 24 hours.
4. Under Desks and Behind Furniture
Why It’s Neglected: Cleaning crews often vacuum floors, but they don’t always move desks, chairs, or cabinets to reach dust bunnies hiding underneath.
Cleaning Products to Use: 
- Extendable Duster or Vacuum Attachment: Reaches deep under furniture without moving heavy items.
- All-Purpose Cleaner: Wipe down exposed surfaces and legs of desks and chairs.
Why It Matters: Dust buildup under desks can trigger allergies and affect indoor air quality, especially in open offices.
5. Ceiling Fans and Air Vents
Why It’s Neglected: Out of sight, out of mind. Ceiling fixtures and vents circulate air — along with dust and allergens — that settle on floors and work surfaces.
Cleaning Products to Use: 
- Extendable Duster with Microfiber Head: Safely reach and capture particles.
- Vacuum with Brush Attachment: Pulls dust from vents and grilles without spreading it.
- HVAC Filters: Replace regularly for cleaner circulated air.
Seasonal Routine: Schedule these cleanings at least quarterly to maintain optimal air quality.
6. Office Pantry Appliances
Why It’s Neglected: Microwaves, refrigerators, coffee makers, and toasters get heavy use — but they’re often only superficially wiped down. Grease, old food residues, and sticky spills accumulate fast.
Cleaning Products to Use: 
- Degreaser Spray: Cuts through baked-on messes.
- Food-Safe Wipes: For fridge shelves and handles.
- Small Scrub Brushes: Great for grooves and seals.
Team Tip: Post cleaning guidelines near appliances so employees know how and when to clean up after themselves.
7. Meeting Room Remote Controls 
Why It’s Neglected: Remote controls for projectors, TVs, or audio systems change hands constantly and are rarely cleaned.
Cleaning Products to Use:
- Alcohol-Based Wipes (Safe for Electronics): Kill germs without harming components.
Healthy Habit: Keep wipes next to equipment so the first person in the room wipes down before use.
8. Window Blinds and Curtains
Why It’s Neglected: These surfaces aren’t touched often but trap dust and allergens more than you might expect.
Cleaning Products to Use:
- Microfiber Blind Duster: Designed to clean each slat with minimal effort.
- Vacuum Upholstery Attachment: For fabric curtains, removes dust quickly.
Bonus: Clean window treatments can actually improve natural light and make your workspace feel brighter and fresher.
9. Shared Printers and Copiers
Why It’s Neglected: Everyone prints, scans, or copies — but hardly anyone ever cleans the machines. Fingerprints, toner dust, and grime can build up around buttons and touchscreens.
Cleaning Products to Use: 
- Electronics-Safe Wipes: Perfect for touchscreens and keypads.
- Compressed Air: Clears out internal dust from paper paths.
Tip: Add cleaning wipes near the printer tray to promote regular wipe-downs.
10. Trash Cans and Recycling Bins
Why It’s Neglected: It’s easy to replace a bag without cleaning the container itself — but spills, leaks, and odors can linger if the bin interior goes untouched.
Cleaning Products to Use:
- All-Purpose Cleaner or Disinfectant: Spray inside, let sit, then wipe.
Pro Routine: Clean trash cans and recycling bins weekly, even if the trash is taken out daily.
Create a Cleaning Products Checklist That Works
The secret to a clean, healthy office isn’t just what you clean — it’s how consistently it gets done. Build these forgotten spots into your regular maintenance checklist and arm custodial staff or office champions with the right cleaning products to get the job done right.
From everyday disinfecting wipes to extendable dusters and electronics-safe cleaners, W.B. Mason has all the cleaning products you need to make your office shine — not just superficially, but from floor to ceiling.
Need help choosing the right products for your workplace? Contact your W.B. Mason representative or visit www.wbmason.com to explore our full line of office cleaning solutions.
