Care and Maintenance

Everyone wants to have nice things.  We pride ourselves on hard work and the possessions we buy with the money we earn are a reflection of us.  This rule is evident in the business world as well. We want our offices and places of business to reflect positively on our companies.  Guests make impressions based on the furniture and décor we have as well as the cleanliness of our work areas.  No one wants to do business with a company that appears disorganized and unprofessional.  The effort behind care and maintenance is an important reflection of ourselves and our businesses image.

Start with Quality

There is a major difference between an inexpensive piece of office furniture, and something made to last.  High quality products cost more money but that investment typically pays itself off with longevity.  A cheap chair will have a much shorter life compared to a high-end equivalent.  Additionally, the more expensive chair is going to be more comfortable in the long run as well.  In order to make a product more affordable manufactures take a verity of different short cuts.  The quality of materials, the details of construction during assembly, and the finishing details all vary based on price.  These differences have a direct effect the amount of maintenance a product needs.  Low quality joints and fastening parts will fall apart sooner no matter how much preventive maintenance is done.  In contrast, a well fit and clue seem could hold for generations if it was made and assembled properly.  Ultimately, buying better products has a direct impact on how much maintenance will be required and how effective the maintenance will be.

Understanding the Product

Maintenance of any consumer good is directly dependent on what the product is constructed of.  This rule is crucial when providing care to your furniture.  There are several types of materials that a desk is made from: wood laminate, wood laminate, metal, and glass.  Each of there materials have different tendencies and different rules on how to care for them.  Wood laminate and wood veneer are very durable, but water can cause long term damage and they materials are susceptible to scratching from sharp objects.  Glass is water resistant and more difficult to scratch but an impact could cause it to break or shatter.  Metal is also durable and if it is painted properly water resistant but damage from impact can leave permanent marks, chipping paint makes it susceptible to rust, and metal can warp in certain environments.  When thinking about chairs, the type of upholstery is a difference maker.  A basic fabric is simple and functional but usually can only be cleaned with a vacuum or scrub brush.  Synthetic materials like vinyl can be cleaned several different ways, some can be cleaned with bleach while others will become stained with aggressive antibacterial cleaning products.  Finally, it is best to use specialized products when cleaning leather. 

Preventative Care

Buying quality merchandise and understanding what these things are made of are important to providing care for our office products, but the best thing anyone can do to keep their workplaces looking good is preventative care.  This can be achieved a few different ways.  The first is having a good set of habits.  Have a plan for how often things need to be cleaned and create a schedule that enables you to be successful.  There is no rule as to how often you need to clean you work areas.  Just make sure it is often enough to prevent dirt and debris from causing long term damage.  Another preventative care measure is having the appropriate accessories.   This can be as simple as keeping a few drink coasters in your desk drawer.  Using this simple accessory will protect the surface of your desks from precipitation from your drink.  Additionally, I never hurts to have a towel or two handy just incase a spill occurs.  Having a well filled supply area of maintenance closet is also important.  Having everything you need to clean up a mess in a pitch comes in handy when accidents occur.  Finally, and potentially the most important thing, read owners manuals.  These small documents are often ignored but almost always include recommendations and instructions for product care.  Following these manufactures guidelines will extend the life of any product.

The quality and condition of our offices and work areas is a direct reflection of ourselves.  By maintaining them, keeping them clean and organized, and ensuring they look as good as new shows that we are organized and efficient.  Additionally, taking care of what we own ensures we will have more money to spend on other things in the future.  Whenever you decide to upgrade your office, or anything else you might purchase, remember to buy quality goods,  understand what you are getting, and make good decisions when taking care.  Doing these simple things will ensure your purchases last a lifetime.