Although your office has janitors or professional office cleaners that maintain the cleanliness and neatness of the place, this does not mean that your work area can be as disorganized and filthy as you want. As an employee, you have to act professionally at all times and contribute to team success. Being professional is not limited to showing good performance; it also includes helping the company in little things such as keeping your cubicle or office tidy.

Being in the office for more than eight hours a day is normal practice in the corporate world, even if you are not a workaholic. As such, it is important to be in a place where you are able to think and work with ease. Although some people work better when they’re surrounded by clutter, normal people need a clean and organized work area in order to perform well.

The following pointers will give you advice on how you can keep your work area organized and mess-free:

1. Be organized
There is a saying that “there is a place of everything and everything in its place”. You can apply this saying in your desk by putting all your pens, paperclips, and other office supplied in their own areas or containers. It is not necessary to buy a paperclip or pen holder; you can use old mugs or canisters. If you have a pedestal or drawer, keep your paperwork and files in them. This is especially important if you are working on accounts with personal and financial information.

2. Arrange documents according to their relevance
Designate folders for each type of document you handle. For example, have a folder for files that need to be prioritized, a folder for new files and for files that can already be archived, and so on. If folders are not enough, make use of your drawer, trays, or labels.

3. Keep your work station as clean as you possibly can
Maintaining the cleanliness of your office cubicle or desk may or may not be covered in the contract of the cleaning service company your office hired. However, bear in mind that the appearance of your work area is also reflective of who you are. You wouldn’t want your colleagues to think that you’re a slob right? So, why not put a little effort and time to wipe your desk, computer, keyboard, and phone with a paper towel with some drops of alcohol, and ensure that everything is in their proper place before you leave? This will not only make your work station looking good and smelling fresh, it will also ensure that you are working in a dirt and germ free area.

4. Get rid of unnecessary items
The last thing you want your work space to look like is a garbage dump. As such, condition yourself to always get rid of anything that you don’t or no longer need. Does this mean you should throw everything you don’t have any use for in the trash? Of course not! To avoid having too much stuff in your desk, start by keeping only the things that you need (1 or 2 pens is enough), recycle (use the back of printed documents as scratch or print on them again), and donate stuff that you think can be more useful to other people.

5. Be consistent
If you’re the kind of person who is used to being surrounded with clutter, staying organized may be a big challenge. Well, just remember that practice makes perfect, and its never too late to change a bad habit. Just keep on doing what you’ve started and before you know it, being organized is already a part of your everyday routine.

You might be surprised at how your performance can be improved by just having a clean and orderly work area. Knowing where to get your supplies or documents will simplify your job and save you time and energy. On the other hand, sanitizing your desk and other equipments will keep you away from germs and viruses that can make you sick. By cleaning your work space, you are helping yourself become more efficient, and in turn contributing to the company’s success.

Also, keep in mind that by keeping your work area spick and span, you are also making the lives of the cleaning service personnel a lot easier. It’s like doing charity in a different way, or performing your social responsibility.

So, the next time you come to work, start the day by organizing your desk and giving it a good wipe, and repeat what you’ve done before you go home at the end of your shift. Without you realizing it, you won’t be able to start and end your day in the office without doing this routine.

For more: How to start a cleaning service by StartingCleaningService.com