If you have employees with allergies, office cleaning and allergen policies are essential to protect their health. This helps your workforce stay productive and improves your bottom line. You can’t always control the allergens brought in from outside, like pollen and pet dander. However, here are three common triggers you can control, and what you can do about each one.

What Are Some Office Cleaning and Policy Tips for Common Allergens?

1. Dust Mites

These are microscopic creatures that feed on the dead skin cells found in dust. They don’t bite, but they do produce proteins that cause reactions in some people when inhaled. This is also sometimes called a dust allergy, but the mites are the cause. Regular office cleaning including dusting, and duct cleaning to minimize dust in your HVAC system, will greatly reduce or eliminate reactions.

2. Fragrances

There has been increasing awareness in recent years about sensitivities to fragrances found in perfumes, detergents, and hygiene products, like shampoo. In sensitive individuals, exposure can cause skin and eye irritation and respiratory issues or may trigger migraines. 

This type of sensitivity is protected under the ADA, so if you have an employee who experiences this issue, you can fulfill your legal obligations by designating a fragrance-free area or simply instituting this policy office-wide. Make sure to stock the bathrooms with fragrance-free soap and speak to your office cleaning staff about the products they use.

3. Cleaning Supplies

Some cleaning chemicals can cause a reaction for other reasons. Once again, both skin irritation and respiratory issues are common reactions. A common solution is to have your office cleaning staff switch to green cleaning products, which tend to be gentler. You can also ask about simply changing brands or formulas.

For in-depth office cleaning to your specifications, choose CL & MA Janitorial Services in Austin, TX. Serving Travis, Hays, and Williamson counties for over 20 years, they’re available 24/7 for emergency after-hours cleaning. They offer green cleaning options and building maintenance in addition to basic janitorial visits. Call (512) 344-9194 or reach out online to get started.