What’s that smell?
Posted On: 26/03/2015 | In the Category: breakout out area, office breakout areas, office kitchen areas
Much like our homes, everyone’s office has smell and although you get used to the odours in your own office, visitors could think it smells like an Indian takeaway (depending on the time of day they visit). And if an office has a pong about it could also affect the productivity of your employees…
Often office smells don’t have one specific source, but are caused by an assortment of odours that build up over time. But one of the areas that can cause unpleasant whiffs is the office kitchen, or to be more precise food!
Some workplaces have no policies on food, staff are allowed to eat what and where they want. But, if smelly food is being prepared or brought into the office, the smell can quickly penetrate the surroundings, especially if said food is being eaten at the desk!
So, what can be done to eliminate these unpleasant aromas?
- Create a dining area or breakout room (with a fan), which is away from the main work area, so that staff don’t have to eat lunch at their desk.
- Ensure office ventilation systems are in full working order and/or encourage staff to open windows where possible. Poor ventilation in any premises can cause bad smells to linger after they should have disappeared. It can also cause odours to move into different areas of the workplace.
- Install an extraction fan in the kitchen
- Close the kitchen door when preparing lunch (and keep it closed for the rest of the day) so that the smell doesn’t travel through to the office.
- Take out the rubbish regularly. A delay in clearing waste can lead to bins overflowing and leaky bin liners. Unpleasant smells will quickly follow and often linger.
- Clean the fridge and kitchen cupboards out weekly, getting rid out out-of-date foodstuff.
- Use air fresheners, but bear in mind that strong fragrances can be just as distracting as bad smells. A subtle fragrance choice, such as citrus scents are said to offer positive benefits: Lemon is uplifting, orange can ease stress and grapefruit can help fight mental exhaustion.
And if all else fails… It is reported that lighting a match or letting a bowl of vinegar sit over night is all you need to clear the air…
The air quality in your workplace might not seem like the most important thing to you, but it can make a difference to how potential clients perceive your business! So, what are you waiting for? Take control of those bad odours now; contact us for more information on how to improve your working environment…
