One of the best ways to ensure your workplace drinks station is a big hit is to keep it tidy & clean. Messy coffee areas can not only be unpleasant to use but can be a source of contention amongst your staff so we have put together some tips on how to keep your hot drinks station in good order.
Choose The Right Machine
Choosing the right hot drinks solution is the first step. Some machines create more mess than others. Some things to consider might be things such as how would the machine be managed day to day. How much time can be devoted to cleaning?
Have a think about how much space you have when choosing your machine. If a machine takes up all of your available space then you won't have room for the coffee, ancillaries or cleaning supplies.
If you are short on space and maintenance time then we recommend a single serve options such as the Flavia Machine which takes up little space and is low maintenance. The Flavia freshpacks empty into an internal bin so you won't have empty plastic pods lying around everywhere and its small size and jug fill option makes it a flexible option in environments where size ifs a factor.
Keeping It Clean
Once you have chosen a great machine and have found the perfect spot in your workplace for it there are some easy ways to keep things tidy.
Designate someone to be responsible for the cleaning of the machine or create a rota. Having someone who is personally responsible will make it much more likely that things will be kept on top of.
Restock the machine regularly. This will keep people from hoking around in cupboards and making a mess.
Create a daily routine of tidying the area and wiping down the machine. If you have chosen a bean to cup coffee machine than you will want to ensure the milk tubes are flushed daily so its cleaning schedule must be adhered to to keep things hygienic.
Try to make sure the cleaning happens during slow hours. It won't do to have a machine being cleaned at 9am when everyone is ready to use the machine.
Make sure there is a bin by the machine. People will use a bin if its close by but if they have to take a few steps you cant guarantee they won't just start leaving cups to everywhere. Make sure the bin is changed regularly.
Choose clever storage. Make sure you have ample space for your supplies including cleaning supplies. Having supplies close to hand means any spills or messes will get wiped up faster. No one wants sticky counters.
Think about paper cups. Crockery is a lovely choice and certainly the greener option but if you don't have someone to do the dishes then your lovely mugs and tea cups might start to pile up in the sink which will be appealing to no one.
Interested in hearing more about which machine might be for you? Just give us a shout!
