Office hygiene in winter: 5 simple measures for shared spaces

In winter, office life moves indoors. Windows stay closed, meeting rooms are fuller, and the whole floor queues at the same coffee machine. Shared surfaces are touched more often, and tissues pile up on desks. Good office hygiene won't guarantee that nobody catches a cold, but a few clear measures keep shared spaces clean and pleasant for everyone.

Here are five practical measures for offices of all sizes – simple to introduce and easy to keep up.

Why office hygiene matters more in winter

In the colder months, people spend more time in closed rooms, windows are opened less often and shared equipment is used more intensively. Under Swiss labour law, employers must keep workplaces, rooms and sanitary facilities clean and provide the necessary cleaning equipment – SECO explains the requirements in its commentary on workplace cleanliness.

Hygiene is not about disinfecting everything. It's about regularly cleaning the places where many hands meet, keeping air fresh and making it easy for people to wash their hands. For current health recommendations, follow the official guidance of the Federal Office of Public Health.

1. Clean touch points more often

Some surfaces are touched by almost everyone, several times a day:

Cleaning these points daily as part of the regular office cleaning – plus a quick wipe by the team during the day in busy areas – makes a noticeable difference.

2. Shared kitchen: clear rules

The office kitchen is often the least hygienic room in the building – not because it's never cleaned, but because many people use it without clear rules.

• Dishes: Load the dishwasher immediately; no cups left in the sink.
• Sponges and cloths: Replace regularly and wash cloths at a suitable temperature.
• Fridge: Label food with name and date; clear out once a week, for example every Friday.
• Coffee machine: Empty the drip tray and grounds container daily; descale as the manufacturer recommends.
• Worktops: Wipe after use and clean daily.
• Microwave: Cover food, wipe splashes – see our guide on cleaning a microwave.

3. Air meeting rooms and offices

Closed windows in winter mean stale air, especially in full meeting rooms. The Federal Office of Public Health describes correct airing and heating: open windows fully, cross-ventilate where possible and air for at least 5 minutes in the heating season.

1. Air meeting rooms before and after each meeting.
2. In open-plan offices, agree on fixed airing times, such as mid-morning, at lunch and mid-afternoon.
3. Open windows fully for a few minutes rather than tilting them all day.
4. Turn down radiators while airing.
5. In buildings with mechanical ventilation, ask facility management whether windows should be opened and how the system is maintained.

4. Hand-washing facilities that work

Good hand hygiene depends on well-equipped washrooms more than on reminders.

• Keep soap dispensers and paper towels full – check them daily.
• Make sure taps and dryers work.
• Place a bin near the washroom door for paper towels.
• Consider hand sanitiser at the entrance and in the kitchen, as a supplement to washing.
• Use neutral, friendly hints instead of alarming posters.

Clean and well-stocked sanitary facilities are also part of employers' duties under labour law.

5. A cleaning plan plus team habits

Professional cleaning after hours and simple habits during the day complement each other.

A clear desk policy is especially helpful: cleaners can only wipe surfaces that are free of papers and cables. Our office cleaning checklist shows which tasks are usually done daily, weekly and monthly, and our guide on cleaning a keyboard, mouse and screen helps with personal equipment.

Common office hygiene mistakes

• Focusing only on floors: Touch points matter more for hygiene.
• No kitchen rules: Everyone assumes someone else will clear the sink.
• Tilted windows all day: Little fresh air, a lot of wasted heat.
• Empty soap dispensers: Undermine every hygiene appeal.
• Cluttered desks: Make evening cleaning impossible.
• Promising too much: Cleaning reduces dirt – it's not a health guarantee.

Priority Clean editorial teamOur cleaning team from Alberswil, Canton of Lucerne, shares hands-on experience from move-out, house, office and window cleaning across Central and Northwestern Switzerland.