How to Prevent Bacteria Growth on Cubicle Walls

Workplace cleanliness is a hot topic right now, from maintaining good indoor air quality (IAQ) to preventing the spread of infection. Many employees can't afford to miss work due to illness - and employers realize employee sickness affects their bottom line. One often overlooked aspect of workplace environments is cubicle walls, a prime breeding ground for bacteria.

Even though your cubicle walls may appear to be clean, dirt, allergens and pollutants hide in the fibers over time. Cubicle walls can present a unique challenge: their fabric can't be wiped down or laundered. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent bacteria growth on cubicle walls.

Vacuum regularly

Similar to carpets, cubicle walls act as a giant filter for the air around you, and that's a good thing as long as they are regularly cleaned. While you shouldn't have to vacuum your cubicle walls as frequently as you vacuum your floors, you should still vacuum them regularly. Be sure to de-clutter beforehand, removing everything from the walls, then vacuum from the top of the panels to the bottom.

Spot clean

Beyond affecting the appearance of your cubicle walls, any spots or stains could be harboring bacteria and should be treated immediately. Any stains or spots on the fabric of your cubicle walls should be treated with a spot cleaner that's solvent- or water-based and can be used on furniture upholstery. Be sure to test a small, inconspicuous area before applying it to large areas to ensure the spot cleaner does not fade or damage the fabric.

Hire a professional

For a deep clean that just can't be achieved with vacuuming and spot cleaning, you should hire a professional to clean your cubicle walls. While each facility's needs may vary, professional cubicle cleaning should typically occur every 12 months. When hiring a professional, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

• First, look for a professional that uses EPA-registered products so additional harmful chemicals are not introduced into your workplace air.

• Second, ask the professional for either a dry approach or limited use of moisture so that the backing behind the fabric does not get wet and start to grow mold.

Now that you know how to prevent bacteria growth on cubicle walls, you can directly impact your workplace IAQ by preventing dirt, dust and pollutants in the fibers from becoming airborne. Regular cleaning of your cubicle walls helps them last longer and ensures a clean, healthy work environment.

Click here to learn more about MilliCare 's approach to textile care.