Office file cabinet drawers are often filled with papers, knick-knacks, and all kinds of other items. But do you ever take the time to give those drawers a deep clean? In this blog, I’ll show you how to organize and clean your office file cabinet drawers like a pro! Get ready – it’s time to clean out the clutter!
Contents
Remove the Contents of the Drawers
To begin cleaning your office file cabinet drawers, start by taking everything out of the drawers. This includes folders, documents, paperclips, and other items that may be cluttering or taking up space. If you do not have the time or energy to declutter and clean your office file cabinets, consider hiring professional cleaning services to do the job for you. They will be able to quickly and efficiently remove all items from the drawers, declutter and organize them, and dispose of any unnecessary documents.
Once all your items are removed from the drawer, lay them out separately on a table or cleared desk space to make sure nothing gets lost in the cleaning process. While removing items from the drawers also take this opportunity to determine any papers that have become obsolete and discard them if necessary. Consider throwing out any old files that are no longer needed.
Gather Your Supplies
Organizing and cleaning a file cabinet is an achievable goal – it’s just a matter of having the right supplies on hand. To get started, gather the following items:
- Warm, soapy water
- Soft clothes or sponges
- A vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Old toothbrush
- Rags or paper towels
- Rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs
Once you have all the necessary supplies, you will be ready to start cleansing and deodorizing your office file cabinet drawers.
Dust and Wipe Down the Interior and Exterior of the Drawers
Dust and wipe down the interior and exterior of the drawers to remove any dirt, dust, and cobwebs. Using a soft cloth or microfiber cloth, gently wipe away any dust or dirt that has accumulated on the inside and outside of the drawer. A mild detergent such as dish soap or furniture polish can also be used on the exterior surface to help restore luster.
When cleaning with an alcohol-based cleaner, take extra care to not mix different types of cleaning products as this can create fumes that can be hazardous to your health. Once cleaned, allow each drawer to completely dry before adding back any items.
Organize and Replace the Contents of the Drawers
Now that the drawers are empty, it’s time to organize and re-stock your filing cabinet with fresh supplies. Using labeled file folders, separate your documents into their respective categories. Place folders in the drawer according to either the name of the person or organization assigned to the documents, or labeled them by office policy or filing system.
Secondly, de-clutter old files that are no longer required. File cabinets accumulate unnecessary material over time that may no longer be shared, relevant, or require keeping because of its age. The redundant material should be securely disposed of, making sure all private information is disposed of carefully so that it cannot be retrieved from general garbage areas.
Repeat the Process for Each Drawer in the Cabinet
Once all the paperwork and other items have been removed from your office file cabinet drawers, it’s time to begin the cleaning process. Cleaning all the surfaces in your filing cabinet drawers can help ensure that all dust, dirt, and debris are gone, leaving drawers looking neat and organized.
To clean the drawers:
- Remove all clippings from file holders and move the machine if present.
- Spray a light mist of an all-purpose cleaner onto a microfiber cloth and wipe down each drawer, taking extra care over any painted surfaces or inside corners to avoid scratching or smearing. For additional attention to detail, utilizing a microfibre brush can be of assistance in cleaning hard-to-reach places.
- Rinse each drawer with a dampened cloth then dry with a clean cloth. If you have paper trays for sorting materials you may want to thoroughly rinse and dry the compartments as well.
- Repeat this process for each drawer in the cabinet before replacing any removed items in their original position.
Conclusion
Following a few simple steps can help keep your office file cabinet drawers in optimum condition. Properly maintained filing cabinets will last longer and provide more organized storage for documents, paper, and other materials.
To maintain maximum efficiency, routinely clean your file drawers every several months, or whenever dirt and dust begin to accumulate. Additionally, consider adding folders with internal dividers for better organization of multiple types of documents. Taking these steps will ensure that your file cabinet remains in good working order for years to come!