How to Clean and Organise Cupboards

Maintaining a clean, and sanitary workplace is one of the most important aspects in keeping staff happy and healthy.

Essential Equipment

Wearing the correct PPE is important to ensure you protect yourself from any harmful bacteria or viruses while cleaning the cupboard. We recommended you have a safety sign to make others aware that cleaning is taking place. A magic sponge, cleaning cloth, and a bucket can be useful for removing any loose dirt. A step ladder could be required if the cupboard is out of reach. (Refer to Jangro LMS for Safe Ladder Practices).

Preparation

Remember to wear your PPE equipment and place the safety signs on the floor. Check the step ladder is in good working order and has passed a safety inspection. Empty the cupboard and discard any unwanted and out-of-date items. Make sure you follow disposal instructions especially for chemical products. Sweep any left-over debris with your dustpan and brush.

Have a look inside the bucket and see if it is clean and ready to use. There may be dirty water if this is the case rinse out with clean water. When the bucket is ready to use, fill it halfway with water. For the last part of the preparation, add a cleaning solution to the water according to the directions on the label. Note: Always add the chemical to water, not the other way round as to avoid chemical splashing.

Cleaning the Cupboard

Place your cloth inside the bucket to absorb the cleaning solution. Then take the cloth out and wring the excess solution and the water from the cloth back into the bucket. Wipe the cupboard from top to bottom, ensuring you clean all the surfaces. Don’t forget to clean the cupboard doors inside and out. There might be some heavily soiled areas, if the cloth doesn’t seem to work, you can use a magic sponge for these sections.

After you have covered a small area or when the cloth is dirty, insert the cloth back into the bucket. Wring the cloth out and move to the next area to be cleaned. Top Tip – Take care to avoid splashes to other surfaces as this can cause unnecessary problems. If this happens wipe clean with a damp cloth. 

Mop the floor area if cleaning a walk-in cupboard. Start mopping backwards in a figure of 8 motion at the furthest point from the door. 

Click the link here to view our guide on how to mop a floor. 

Refilling the Cupboard

Once dry, replace items into the cupboard, placing the heaviest items on the lowest level. Never store chemicals above shoulder height. Unpack any boxes that still have items in, and if possible, store flammable products in a metal cabinet to reduce the likelihood of fire. Highly flammable chemicals should be stored and used safely. 

When putting the items back, make sure they are all correctly labelled. Group the products that are similar together. Never store toilet descaler/acids next to the bleach-based products. You naturally use more items than some, the ones you use more frequently place at the front of the cupboard. However, some products will have expiry dates, if so, rotate the stock, placing the oldest at the front. It is important not to place anything damp directly onto the cupboard carcass e.g., hanging mops onto a wall holder.

Final Stages

• Dispose of any dirty water and rinse out the bucket for next time
• Store the mop off the floor to dry
• Dispose of the cloth you have used
• Remove safety signs when the floor is dry and clear of hazards