Removing an Unwanted Breakroom Guest

6/1/2020 (Permalink)

The employee breakroom should be a place where employees feel comfortable enough to relax and catch a quick breather before heading back to their desk or workspace. Nothing is very relaxing about stashing away your lunch and finding an abundance of fridge mold growing. With the open access to kitchen or refrigerator in the breakroom, it can be difficult to establish who is responsible for cleaning things out. Left unchecked, mold spores can create a more serious, company-wide problem. Here are some tips to for keeping the breakroom clean and reducing mold growth.

Implement a Manageable System

If your maintenance or cleaning crew isn’t responsible for cleaning out the kitchen, you need to get creative in your approach. Educating your employees is one way to everyone on board with your system.

1. All food containers in the fridge must labeled with names and dates.
2. All food and containers not retrieved by end of business day on Friday will be thrown away.
3. Establish a kitchen rotation list, and use emails reminders and notifications to ensure it is cleaned.
4. Keep a stash of disinfecting fridge wipes in the breakroom for easy access and cleaning.

Problems With Mold

Food that has been left in the fridge and long-since passed it usage date will greet your employees with a distinctive mold smell. Even in containers or wrapped in plastic and tinfoil, there is no mistaking the odor of mildew. Beyond its growth on old food, the mold spores travel to other surface areas and create fridge mold that is visible on the sides, floor, or in the drawers. These spores can also travel beyond your breakroom and set up residence throughout your business.