Are you worried that asking someone to clean up after themselves at work will make things awkward?
Don’t worry! You have options.
This article will teach you how to tell employees to clean up after themselves in the workplace. We’ve provided a whole host of synonyms to help you mix things up.
Other Ways to Say “Clean Up After Yourself”
- Please keep your area neat and organized
- Try not to make a mess!
- Take responsibility for your own mess
- Leave your workspace in order
- Ensure your workspace is clean and clutter-free
- Clean up after you finish working
- Keep your work area spick and span
- Don’t leave a mess behind
- Dispose of your waste appropriately
- Be mindful of workspace cleanliness
- Take care of your own cleaning duties
- Make sure your area is presentable
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “Clean up after yourself” is a great phrase to use when you want someone to take pride in their workspace.
- “Please keep your area neat and organized” is a great polite alternative to keep things formal.
- Try “try not to make a mess!” as a funny synonym that’ll help you spice things up in the workplace.
Keep reading to learn how to politely tell someone to clean up after themselves. Whether you’re sending an email to your staff or hanging a sign, we’ve gathered the best phrases to help!
Also, you can read the final section to learn why keeping your workplace clean is important. Then, you’ll know the best ways to look after yourself in the workplace and impress your peers.
Please Keep Your Area Neat and Organized (Polite)
For a polite way to say “clean up after yourself,” try “please keep your area neat and organized.”
It’s a great choice that shows you want people to care about their workspace. This is a respectful and formal way to deal with it when people aren’t particularly clean.
Generally, employees will get the message quickly.
It shows you how to say “clean up after yourself” professionally to ensure people listen.
You may even be able to set a few small punishments if people aren’t willing to clean up when asked. Of course, that’s dependent on whether punishments are effective with your staff.
This email sample will help you understand it better:
Dear Alex,
Please keep your area neat and organized while you’re in the workplace. That would be very helpful for everyone involved.
Best regards,
George O’Connor
Here’s a great example of how you can include it on a sign:
Please keep your area neat and organized! It helps to keep the workplace going!
Try Not to Make a Mess! (Funny)
You can use “try not to make a mess!” as a funny way to say “clean up after yourself.”
This is a great way to get laughs from the people you work with.
Also, including it on a sign around the office will show employees that you don’t take yourself too seriously.
It’s an effective choice if you’re trying to keep things less strict.
It helps you to be informal and friendly around the office, which is an excellent way to show that you’re letting people take charge of their own cleanliness.
We also recommend reviewing this sample email:
Dear Russell,
Please try not to make a mess! I know what you’re like when you get a hold of the food in the cafeteria!
Thank you so much,
Holly Smarden
Also, if you want to include it on a funny sign, check out this example:
Try not to make a mess! We all know how exciting these things can be, though.
Why Is It Important to Clean Up After Yourself at Work?
It is important to clean up after yourself at work for many reasons. Mainly, it shows you care about your role and want to give a good impression to your employer.
Also, it’s a great way to promote a safe and hygienic environment. Most of the time, this helps you to work in a safer capacity and ensures you don’t leave messes lying around.
Don’t forget that cleaning up after yourself is generally quite respectful and considerate. It certainly shows you care deeply and don’t want to upset your peers or employers.
Also, if you ever leave a mess that someone else has to clean up, it could lead to disruptions and resentment in the team.
So, at the end of the day, it’s your responsibility to clean up your mess, even if your workplace has cleaners.
And finally, the most important thing to remember is that a clean workplace promotes a positive work atmosphere.
So, your boss won’t find ways to argue with you if you can maintain your cleanliness. Overall, that’s what you should strive for!