A clean workstation is not just for looks. On a height adjustable desk, the wrong cleaner can haze a controller lens, swell a desktop edge, or drip into a control box and cause intermittent faults that look “mechanical.” The right cleaning and disinfection plan keeps your standing desk fleet hygienic, ergonomic, and reliable for years. This field-ready SOP covers safe products, compatible surfaces, and simple routines for day-to-day wipe-downs, weekly dust control, and quarterly deep cleans—without compromising electronics or finishes.

Why a dedicated SOP matters

• Reliability: Liquids migrate. Overspray into a control box or saturated wipes near lifting columns can cause random stops, error codes, and noisy lifts that users blame on the frame.

• Materials safety: Disinfectants that are fine for stainless can cloud controller lenses, dull a matte laminate, or dry out rubber feet.

• Ergonomics and safety: A clean knee zone, a tidy rear cable tray, and a single power drop reduce snags that trip anti-collision and prevent slips from pooled cleaner.

Know your surfaces (and the compatible chemistries)

Worksurface

• High-pressure laminate (HPL) over dense core (25–30 mm): Most resilient. Compatible with mild soap, 70% isopropyl alcohol, quats (per label), and diluted bleach solutions (follow manufacturer limits). Avoid abrasive powders and highly alkaline degreasers.

• Solid wood (sealed): Use mild soap and water; 70% IPA for spot disinfection. Avoid bleach and ammonia; re-oil or refinish per schedule. Mount with figure-8s or Z-clips so the panel can move seasonally.

• Bamboo/composite: Treat like HPL unless the maker says otherwise. Avoid prolonged wetting; wipe dry.

• Stone or glass (with subframe): Use neutral stone cleaner or glass cleaner (ammonia-free preferred). Never soak edges; keep liquids off the subframe bond line.

Frame and hardware

• Powder-coated steel (legs, crossbar, feet): Mild soap, 70% IPA, and most quats are fine. Dry thoroughly to prevent streaks. Avoid abrasive pads that cut texture.

• Rubber feet and casters: Mild soap and water. Harsh solvents harden treads and reduce traction.

Controls and cables

• Desk controller (keypad and lens): 70% IPA on a lightly damp, lint-free wipe; no spraying directly. Avoid quats, bleach, and ammonia on lenses and printed icons.

• Lifting columns: Dry microfiber only. Do not lubricate unless the manufacturer specifies; oils attract dust.

• Cable tray and surge strip: Unplug the strip. Wipe housings with mild soap or 70% IPA; keep liquids away from outlets. Dust the tray; restrap bricks.

Privacy and accessories

• PET/felt privacy screens: Vacuum or lint-roll; spot clean with mild soap. Avoid saturation.

• Anti-fatigue mats: Soap and water; disinfect with 70% IPA if needed. Hang to dry on the under-desk hook; do not leave wet underfoot.

Approved products and what to avoid

Use

• Mild dish soap (pH neutral) in warm water

• 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes (electronics-safe)

• EPA-registered quats per label (for HPL/powder coat)

• Neutral stone cleaner (for stone tops)

Avoid

• Abrasive powders and pads

• High-alkaline degreasers on laminate

• Straight bleach or high-concentration chlorine

• Ammonia on controller lenses and printed icons

• Aerosol sprays near electronics (overspray risk)

Daily, weekly, quarterly: a practical cadence

Daily (or between users in hot-desking)

• Power and preparation: For quick wipe-downs, leave power on, but never spray directly on surfaces. Apply cleaner to a cloth, not the desk, to avoid drips into seams and the desk controller.

• High-touch wipe: Controller buttons and lens (70% IPA, lightly damp), front edge, mouse/keyboard pad, and the top surface (HPL: soap/IPA; wood: soap). Hang mats to dry if disinfected.

• Knee zone check: Ensure no objects or cords encroach on the front 6–8 inches under the desk. Clear hazards to protect anti-collision and ergonomics.

Weekly

• Dust control: Dry microfiber wipe of lifting columns and underside; vacuum privacy screens; dust cable tray interior (power off the strip first).

• Tray audit: Confirm bricks are strapped, the surge strip is secure, and AC and low-voltage lanes are separated. One clean power drop through the vertical cable chain; no tails across aisles.

• Leveling spot-check: At the user’s standing preset, gently rock the desk. Adjust levelers if you feel a “rock,” especially on carpet or floating floors.

Quarterly (or during deep cleans)

• Power down safely: Flip the surge strip switch off; unplug the single trunk (the one clean power drop). If your site uses lockout/tagout, apply plug lock and tag.

• Fastener pass: Re-torque crossbar and foot bolts in a star pattern (typical: M6 at 7–10 N·m; M8 at 18–25 N·m—follow your frame spec). Tighten the controller bracket and tray screws.

• Cable management refresh: Replace stretched or under-spec video runs with certified DP 1.4/HDMI 2.0/2.1 at proper length. Leave service loops at monitor arm pivots and at the control box so nothing goes taut through full travel.

• Surge strip check: Inspect cord jacket and indicator lights. Replace strips every three to five years or earlier if indicator shows end-of-life.

• Anti-collision test: With power restored, hold down to the mechanical stop (reset), then test down onto a foam block and up under a padded shelf. Fix cable drag before changing sensitivity.

Technique: how to wipe without risk

• Cloth, not spray: Apply cleaner to a microfiber cloth; wipe front-to-back to steer liquid away from seams and the desk controller.

• Right amount: Surfaces should be damp, not wet. Observe disinfectant dwell times per label; then wipe dry.

• Keep paths dry: Do not leave cleaner pooled near the edge, under the front lip, or around grommets. Liquids gravity-feed into trays and electronics.

Special environments

Healthcare and lab spaces

• Use hospital-approved quats or IPA per infection control. Favor HPL tops and powder-coated frames; swap wood tops out of clinical zones.

• GFCI: Plug into GFCI-protected circuits where sinks are nearby. Keep cords off the floor; never run under mats.

• ESD zones: Wipe dissipative mats with ESD-safe cleaners; keep ground cords and wrist-strap tester clean and labeled.

Food and beverage

• Avoid porous tops; use HPL or solid surfaces with sealed edges. Enforce immediate wipe-ups; alcohol-based wipes are safe for quick disinfection.

Common cleaning mistakes (and fast fixes)

• Cloudy controller lens: Ammonia or harsh quats used. Replace or polish only if safe; standardize on 70% IPA wipes for controls.

• Swollen laminate edge: Over-wetting or pooled cleaner. Dry thoroughly; seal exposed MDF if needed; retrain on cloth-first technique.

• Random stops after a deep clean: Liquids in tray or tight cables after reassembly. Unplug, dry, reroute AC and data lanes, add service loops, and rerun the reset.

• Sticky or squeaky motion: Do not lubricate lifting columns unless specified. Check for cable rub at the column or tray; re-torque frame in a star pattern.

• Smelly mat: Disinfect, rinse, and hang to dry. Replace mats that crack or curl; curled edges are trip hazards.

A simple, ergonomic checklist to post at each station

• Daily: Wipe controller (IPA), front edge, and top; hang mat if disinfected; keep knee zone clear.

• Weekly: Dust columns and tray interior (power off); verify bricks strapped and one power drop; quick level check at standing height.

• Quarterly: Unplug; re-torque frame; audit tray (AC/data lanes, service loops); reset and anti-collision test; inspect surge strip health.

Procurement tips for cleanable stations

• Surfaces: Matte HPL (25–30 mm) over low-emitting core; sealed edges. Powder-coated frames with documented adhesion tests. Avoid glossy desktops.

• Controls: Keypads with solvent-resistant lenses and high-contrast icons. Control boxes with less than 0.5 W standby.

• Cable management: Rear metal cable tray; surge-protected strip mounted inside; vertical cable chain; AC vs. low-voltage separation; bricks strapped.

• Accessories: PET or felt privacy screens; anti-fatigue mats with hang hooks; monitor arms with integrated channels; reinforcement plates for thin tops under clamp zones.

Cleaning a height adjustable desk is part materials science, part electronics safety, and part ergonomics. Choose cleanable surfaces, wipe controllers with 70% IPA, and keep liquids away from seams and the control box. Standardize a golden underside build—rear cable tray, one clean power drop through a vertical cable chain, AC and low-voltage separation, bricks strapped—and use a simple daily/weekly/quarterly cadence. Add a quick reset and anti-collision test after deep cleans. Do that, and your standing desk fleet will stay hygienic, quiet, and ergonomic—without the “mystery faults” that come from well-meaning but risky wipe-downs.

• Explore cleanable height adjustable desks, matte desktops, rear cable trays, vertical cable chains, and controller options built for day-to-day disinfection at Venace: https://www.vvenace.com

• Contact us: tech@venace.com