A clean workplace is about much more than appearances. Several research studies suggest a link between hygiene and the quality of the office environment on the one hand, and employees' health, concentration and well-being on the other. At a time when businesses are looking to improve quality of working life, professional cleaning is a lever that is too often underestimated. This article reviews what we know about the subject and explains why the cleanliness of your premises deserves to be seen as an investment.
The link between cleanliness and performance
A cluttered or poorly maintained environment makes greater demands on our attention and distracts us from the task in hand. Several studies in psychology suggest that mess and dirt in the workplace can impair people's ability to concentrate.
Separately, a study by Harvard's school of public health (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health), published in 2016, showed that employees' cognitive performance was better in offices that were better ventilated and had lower levels of volatile organic compounds. Cleanliness is not everything, but cleaning the premises -- dusting, caring for textiles, choosing low-emission products -- contributes to indoor air quality. Regular office cleaning is therefore not an incidental expense, but an investment in the company's human capital.
A clean office also sends a positive signal: the employer cares about its staff's well-being, which can strengthen engagement and loyalty.
The impact on employees' health
Employee health is one of the pillars of productivity. A poorly maintained workplace encourages the spread of germs, the build-up of allergens and poorer air quality. The consequences can be measured in days of absence and lower performance.
Limiting the spread of germs
Frequently touched surfaces -- door handles, lift buttons, light switches, telephones and keyboards -- harbour germs. Disinfecting them regularly helps to limit the spread of seasonal viruses and stomach bugs, and therefore the absences they cause.
Indoor air quality
The French Indoor Air Quality Observatory (Observatoire de la qualité de l'air intérieur, OQAI) points out that indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air. Dust that builds up in carpets, clogged air-conditioning filters and uncleaned surfaces release fine particles and volatile organic compounds that can cause headaches, fatigue, eye irritation and respiratory problems. Regular carpet cleaning and thorough dusting help to keep the air healthy and prevent sick building syndrome.
Psychological well-being
Beyond physical health, a clean working environment plays a part in mental well-being. Research carried out at Princeton University (2011) showed that a cluttered visual environment competes for attention and drains attentional resources. Clean, well-organised offices provide a calmer setting that is more conducive to concentration.
Key takeaway: a clean, well-maintained environment contributes to employees' health, concentration and well-being. Professional cleaning is not just a cost, it is an investment in quality of working life.
Brand image and talent retention
The state of your premises is the first impression you give visitors, clients and job candidates. A spotless reception area, immaculate toilets and well-kept offices immediately strengthen your company's credibility. Conversely, premises that are visibly poorly maintained can jeopardise a business negotiation or put a candidate off joining your team.
In a tight job market, particularly in the Paris region (Île-de-France), the quality of the workplace has become a factor in employees' choices. Investing in professional office cleaning is therefore also a way of retaining your staff.
Critical areas not to overlook
Not every area of an office carries the same level of risk. An effective cleaning programme must identify and prioritise high-traffic spaces and frequently touched surfaces.
Workstations
Individual offices and open-plan areas are where employees spend most of their day. Dusting screens, cleaning keyboards and mice, vacuuming floors and disinfecting desk surfaces should be done every day. A clean workstation helps concentration and reduces the risk of cross-contamination between colleagues.
Toilets
Toilets are a particularly telling indicator of how well a company's premises are looked after. Poorly maintained toilets cause immediate discomfort and send a negative signal to employees and visitors alike. Thorough cleaning and disinfection several times a day, along with systematic restocking of consumables (soap, paper, hand sanitiser), are essential to maintain an impeccable standard of hygiene.
Shared spaces
Kitchens, break rooms and relaxation areas are places where people socialise, but they are also areas with a high bacteriological risk. Worktops, sinks, fridge handles and coffee machines should be cleaned and disinfected several times a day. A welcoming, clean shared space encourages proper breaks, which matter for quality of working life.
Meeting rooms
Meeting rooms often host clients and partners. Dusty tables, dried-out markers or stained floors project an unprofessional image. Cleaning these rooms systematically between uses, including airing, wiping surfaces and vacuuming, ensures a pleasant setting that is conducive to productive discussions.
Spending on cleanliness: a cost or an investment?
The cost of professional cleaning is often seen as an overhead. Yet it should be weighed against what it helps to avoid: sickness absence, lower concentration, and premature wear of premises and equipment.
Key takeaway: every day of absence has a direct cost (salary still paid, cover) and an indirect cost (disruption, delays). Comparing these costs with the cleaning budget helps you judge the value of regular, high-quality cleaning.
Beyond these savings, cleanliness helps your equipment and floor coverings last longer. Carpets that are cleaned regularly last longer. Properly maintained floors keep their shine and avoid costly renovation work. Professional cleaning is therefore also a way of preserving your company's property assets.
Atlantis: expertise that supports your productivity
At Atlantis, we know that cleaning your offices is much more than a simple technical service. We have been based in Clamart since 2000 and work throughout the Paris region. We favour ecolabelled products, which are kinder to your employees' health and to the environment.
We offer tailored cleaning contracts, adapted to the size of your premises, your sector and your scheduling constraints. Whether you need daily cleaning, a periodic deep clean or specialist treatment of your carpets and textile floor coverings, every site has a written specification, by zone, by task and by frequency.
Our aim is simple: to give you clean offices, day after day, so that your teams can focus on what matters most -- their work.