High-Touch Points in Commercial Spaces You’re Probably Overlooking

When it comes to maintaining a clean and healthy workplace, most facility managers already recognize the importance of disinfecting high-touch areas like door handles, elevator buttons, and shared equipment. But there are many equally high-contact surfaces that aren’t as obvious and can slip through the cracks during routine cleaning. These include things like:

• Chair armrests and conference table edges
• Light switches and thermostat controls
• Copier touchscreens and printer trays
• Shared cabinet and appliance handles
• Handrails, especially on stairwells or loading docks
• Desk phone receivers and shared headsets

Addressing these less obvious touch points can make a noticeable difference in cleanliness perception and help maintain a healthier workspace overall.

A professional cleaning plan that prioritizes these hidden hot spots not only safeguards health but also extends the lifespan of office furniture, fixtures, and electronics.

Door Handles, Push Plates, and Elevator Buttons

Door hardware and elevator controls are some of the most frequently touched items in any building, yet they’re often given only a quick wipe rather than a full disinfection. Because these surfaces can host bacteria and viruses transferred from hundreds of hands daily, they require daily cleaning with EPA-approved disinfectants. Stainless steel, brass, and painted finishes should be cleaned carefully to prevent corrosion or damage while ensuring complete sanitization.

Shared Electronics and Office Equipment

From the printer’s control panel to shared tablets, keyboards, and conference room remotes, technology is a major contamination source. Dust, skin oils, and microbes can linger on keys and touchscreens, spreading illness across teams. Wiping these devices with alcohol-based disinfectant wipes designed for electronics keeps them safe for regular use. Many cleaning professionals schedule these items into nightly routines to prevent buildup without disrupting workflow.

Breakroom Appliances and Surfaces

Microwave handles, refrigerator doors, coffee pot buttons, and vending machine panels are touched by nearly everyone in the office, but rarely get disinfected as often as they should. Breakroom cleaning should include sanitizing appliance handles, wiping counters with food-safe disinfectants, and cleaning sink fixtures daily to prevent cross-contamination.

Light Switches and Thermostat Controls

Light switches and thermostats might seem insignificant, but they may be touched repeatedly throughout the day by employees, maintenance staff, and visitors. Because they’re often out of sight during cleaning rounds, grime can accumulate quickly. Including them on a weekly or daily cleaning checklist helps eliminate these “forgotten” high-touch points and maintains a consistent level of cleanliness across the building.

Armrests and Chair Backs

Office chairs, waiting room seating, and conference room chairs collect oils, sweat, and dirt from constant contact with hands and clothing. Over time, this not only dulls upholstery but also transfers germs between individuals. Regular vacuuming and spot-cleaning of fabric, along with disinfecting of plastic or metal armrests, keeps office seating sanitary and extends its usable life.

Handrails, Stairwell Doors, and Balustrades

In multi-level buildings, stair rails and hallway barriers are key contact points for hundreds of people daily. Because they’re part of structural features rather than “furniture,” they can easily be missed during routine cleanings. Yet, these areas often carry the same contamination levels as restroom fixtures. Routine cleaning and disinfection, particularly during flu season, is vital to maintaining a healthy work environment.

Conference Tables and Meeting Equipment

While tables may be wiped occasionally, meeting spaces typically include shared pens, remote controls, cables, and microphones, each of which can harbor bacteria and viruses. All shared items, conference tables, and arm rests should be regularly disinfected.

Incorporating microfiber cloths and safe disinfecting sprays prevents surface damage while ensuring every high-touch point remains hygienic.

Shared Tools and Maintenance Equipment

Facilities with maintenance crews or production areas often overlook the tools, ladders, carts, and control switches used by multiple employees. Grease, sweat, and residue can linger on tool handles and control buttons, becoming a contamination risk. Implementing wipe-down protocols for tools and machinery provides cleanliness and safety across shifts, especially in industrial or warehouse environments.

Restroom Hardware Beyond Fixtures

Even in spaces with daily restroom cleaning, certain items often escape attention: the tops of partitions, paper towel dispensers, air dryers, and flush handles. Since restrooms are the most bacteria-prone areas in any facility, comprehensive cleaning should extend to every touchpoint, including door latches and stall locks. Proper disinfection makes sure the space meets hygiene standards and leaves a positive impression on both employees and guests.

Reception Counters and Pens

Reception desks are often the first stop for visitors and clients, meaning they’re a hotspot for shared surfaces. Check-in tablets, pens, clipboards, and counters all need frequent sanitizing. This is a particular concern for any kind of medical facility. Providing separate ‘clean’ and ‘used’ pen holders in doctors’ offices, or using digital check-in systems, reduces germ transfer. Periodic disinfection of reception and waiting areas throughout the day can both protect patients and increase their confidence in your practice.

Ready to Raise Your Cleaning Standards? We’ll Help Serve You in the Greater Phoenix Area!

Overlooking these areas is easy, but the consequences can be costly, from increased sick days to customer dissatisfaction. Professional cleaning companies develop custom plans that prioritize high-touch points based on your building’s layout, occupancy, and type of business.

Contact us at ProEthic Building Services by calling (480) 725-8912 to schedule a consultation. Experience the difference of a detail-oriented cleaning partner committed to excellence.