Many South African businesses close or slow down between mid-December and early January. Leave in a rush and you come back to smelly bins, mouldy mugs and a fridge you'd rather not open. One planned afternoon before the break prevents all of it.
Kitchen and tea station
- Empty the fridge completely. Bin or take home anything that won't last. Wipe the shelves and leave the door slightly open if you switch it off.
- Wash every mug and container and put them away dry.
- Empty and rinse the kettle and coffee machine drip trays.
- Take out all rubbish, including recycling, and wipe out the bins.
Desks and shared spaces
- Ask staff to clear desks so cleaners can wipe surfaces properly.
- Wipe desks, keyboards, phones, door handles and light switches with a multi-surface cleaner and microfibre cloths.
- Remove food from desk drawers. It's the main thing that attracts ants and rodents over a quiet period.
Washrooms
- Clean toilets, urinals and basins thoroughly and refill soap, paper and towel dispensers so you start January fully stocked.
- Flush toilets and run taps before you lock up, and ask whoever checks the building to do the same once a week. Water traps that dry out can let drain smells back in.
Floors and bins
Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors after everything else is done. Line every bin with a fresh liner so January starts clean. For larger bins and wheelie bins, use proper trolley bin liners. They're stronger and fit better.
Final shutdown checks
- Switch off and unplug non-essential appliances.
- Close windows and blinds and check that no taps are dripping.
- Arrange for someone to check the premises, collect post and flush water during the break.
Stock up
Mr Max Multi-Surface Cleaner, Microfibre Cloths and Trolley Bin Liners are available from maxproducts.co.za. Order before our own holiday hours so you're stocked for January.
Products mentioned in this guide
Available now from our sister company Max Products at maxproducts.co.za, in trade sizes and delivered in Cape Town.
Trolley Bin Liners Black (50 Pack)Shop now →
Mr Max Multi-Surface CleanerShop now →
Microfibre Cloths 10 PackShop now →
