8 Secrets for Efficient
Kitchenettes and Break Rooms

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The break room or kitchen area is sometimes the most neglected area of an office. Because it is a common area, people think that it’s someone else’s job to pick up. Here are some quick and fun tips to creating a workable solution.

1.  If there is a person who likes to do this type of job, they may volunteer to help out. If the room isn’t part of the janitorial responsibility, assign a person and rotate the duties.  You could also ask the department or company to post a few guidelines for keeping the area tidy. A quick straightening up may be all that it takes.

2.  Take down the signs and notes posted all over telling people to clean up after themselves. Signs do work, but only for about a week. After that, people no longer see them.

3.  Gather all the glasses and flower vases in a box. If people brought their own favorite cup, let them retrieve it from the box. Sometimes they will forget that it’s even there. Ask them to bring in a distinctive cup from home, or go buy several identical cups.

4.  Consolidate the sugars, creams, condiments, etc. Use what there is until the very end of the supply and then reorder. Don’t reorder when you still have some left. The more we see, the more we waste. You would be surprised at the number of ketchup packets, soy sauce, hot sauce that were slipped into the carry out bag that people keep “just in case.”

5.  Ask people to label items they place in the refrigerator. At the end of the week toss out whatever is in the refrigerator. People will get mad, but they should know the guidelines and shouldn’t blame you for their forgetfulness. Humor makes the world go ‘round. If people want to post cartoons or jokes, let them. But at the end of the week, be sure to throw them all in the trash.

6.  Finish this sentence, what’s hard about ____? For instance, if the garbage is not being taken out often enough, ask yourself “what’s hard about taking out the trash?” Is it too time consuming? Simplify it. Is there too much trash? Get smaller bags (instead of the 50 gallon size) and take it out more often.

7.  Start a tip or fine jar if they don’t clean up after themselves. Use this for humor rather than corporal punishment. For instance, if they leave the table messy after a break, they have to put a dollar in the jar. Then, this collection can be used for birthdays or a pizza party for the office.

8.  Upgrade some things. Sometimes things don’t get put away properly because they are hard to work with. If the cover of the coffee can doesn’t fit, it won’t get put back on. Get a storage container for these kinds of items.
Copyright 2013 Nancy Miller
This article is free for reprinting provided terms and agreements are followed.
Nancy Miller, a professional organizer with over 20 years of experience coupled with a Certified Professional Coaching credential offers both personal and business consultation. Nancy’s credentials include past membership in the National Association of Professional Organizers and the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization. She delivers over 100 programs nationwide each year. Her book, Clutterology® Getting Rid of Clutter and Getting Organized is in it’s 4th Edition

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