A pantry is the smallest room in most SME offices and the one that complaints concentrate on. Half-empty coffee cups, a leaking lunchbox, a microwave that has not been wiped since the launch party. Twelve minutes a day, done in the right order, keeps the room neutral.
The routine
- Minute 0-2: Sink first. Empty all dishes from the sink. Anything not yours, leave a sticky note. Wipe the sink basin with a microfibre cloth and a small drop of dish detergent.
- Minute 2-4: Microwave check. Open the door, wipe the inside roof and walls with a damp cloth. If yesterday's curry made an appearance, place half a lemon in a cup of water and run it for two minutes before wiping.
- Minute 4-6: Coffee station. Wipe the spout, empty the drip tray, refill the bean hopper. Most pantry odours start at the coffee machine, not the bin.
- Minute 6-8: Fridge edge. Wipe the door handle and the top of the fridge. Do not open the fridge daily, but on Fridays remove anything past its date.
- Minute 8-10: Bin and floor. Pull the bin to the door. Replace the liner. Sweep the small floor patch under the sink. Take the old bag straight to the building chute.
- Minute 10-12: Reset the counters. Wipe the counter, realign mugs on the rack, refill paper towels. Lights off.
Pantries do not need a cleaner every day. They need someone with a twelve-minute routine and a willingness to start with the sink.
Why the order matters
Starting at the sink prevents you from spreading food smells around the room. Saving the floor for last means you sweep up anything you have knocked off the counters during the previous ten minutes. And the bin always goes last because you never want to leave the bin in the room overnight.
What we add as a service
Once a week, our crew does the parts the routine skips: behind the fridge, inside the microwave cavity, the underside of cabinet handles, the back of the bin, the floor under the counter. Our office service can include a weekly pantry deep visit at an agreed time. Speak to us about your floor plate.