Friday the 13th: 13 Excuses to Skip Cleaning the Toughest Areas

Ah, Friday the 13th—the most superstitious day on the calendar. While most people are busy avoiding black cats, cracks in the sidewalk, and anything remotely unlucky, we cleaners face a unique challenge: how do we avoid tempting fate in the workplace while still maintaining our professional duties?

Fear not, because we at Dazzle Office Cleaning Company have come up with the perfect plan. Below, we’ve outlined 13 perfectly valid (and humorous) excuses to skip cleaning the toughest areas of the office today. And while we’re all about keeping your space spotless, even the most dedicated cleaning professionals deserve a break—especially when the stars (or superstitions) align on a day like today.

Without further ado, here’s your guide to surviving Friday the 13th in the world of commercial cleaning.

1. The Office Fridge: The Black Hole of Leftovers

Cleaning out the fridge can feel like excavating an ancient tomb—especially when you find long-forgotten sandwiches and mysterious sauces. On Friday the 13th, it’s best to leave this task untouched. Why? The rule of thumb is simple: if it’s been in there this long, it can wait until tomorrow. Besides, who knows what kind of bad luck might be lurking behind that Tupperware?

2. The Microwave of Doom

Ah, the office microwave. It’s a battlefield of splattered food remnants and lingering odors. While it’s normally a must-clean spot, Friday the 13th grants you a pass. After all, the combination of microwave radiation and bad luck could be explosive—better to leave it to a safer, less superstitious day.

3. The Haunted Meeting Room

Every office has that one meeting room no one likes to use. Maybe it’s too cold, or maybe it’s the strange shadows that appear when the lights flicker. Whatever the reason, this room is best left uncleaned today. You wouldn’t want to anger any spirits that might be hanging around. Plus, dusty conference tables add character, right?

4. The Abyss Under the Desks

Crawling under desks to vacuum is already a risk—you never know what ancient paperclips, lost pens, or mysterious objects you might encounter. But on Friday the 13th, the unknown becomes even more dangerous. Besides, the cobwebs down there might be holding the entire office’s productivity together. Why disrupt the delicate balance?

5. The Printer: A Source of Frustration and Folklore

The office printer is notorious for jamming at the most inconvenient times, so it’s only fitting that we declare it off-limits on this unlucky day. Sure, it might need a wipe-down, but let’s not provoke its wrath. After all, there’s nothing more terrifying than a temperamental printer during a big deadline.

6. The Bathroom Mirrors: Seven Years of Bad Luck?

Mirrors are the source of one of the oldest superstitions: break one, and you’re cursed with seven years of bad luck. While we’re not saying you’re clumsy, Friday the 13th isn’t the day to take chances. A quick surface clean will do—there’s no need to risk it with the extra elbow grease today.

7. The Spooky Storage Closet

Dark, cluttered, and full of forgotten items—there’s something eerie about office storage closets. On a normal day, we might organize and tidy up, but today, we recommend keeping the door shut. Who knows what might be lurking behind those old files and out-of-date office supplies?

8. The Uncharted Territory of Air Vents

Cleaning the air vents is essential for maintaining air quality, but Friday the 13th offers a solid excuse to avoid this tricky task. Ventilation systems are notoriously complex, and today is not the day to tempt fate by messing with them. After all, what if you disturb the air and unleash a year’s worth of dust-related misfortune on the entire office?

9. The Enigmatic Elevator Buttons

Elevators already have their own set of superstitions (many buildings don’t even have a 13th floor!). On a day like today, it’s wise to steer clear of the elevator buttons. Sure, they might be covered in fingerprints, but cleaning them might inadvertently summon more bad luck than we bargained for. Stick to the stairs and let the buttons fend for themselves until tomorrow.

10. The CEO’s Desk: A No-Go Zone

If you’re feeling particularly brave, you might consider tidying the CEO’s desk—but not today. On Friday the 13th, it’s better to leave their personal space untouched. You wouldn’t want to rearrange their “lucky” trinkets or disturb any good fortune they’ve accumulated. Besides, it’s a matter of respect (and a little fear).

11. The Ever-Expanding Paper Pile

Whether it’s invoices, memos, or forgotten faxes, every office has that one pile of paperwork that seems to grow by the day. Tackling it on a normal day requires patience and persistence, but on Friday the 13th, it’s simply asking for trouble. Skip the paperwork shuffle and leave it for a more favorable day.

12. The Mysterious Coffee Machine

Cleaning the coffee machine should always be a priority—after all, it’s the office’s lifeblood. But on a day like today, perhaps it’s best to take a step back. We’ve all heard stories of malfunctioning coffee machines and bad coffee on unlucky days. Give the machine a break, and maybe it’ll reward you with a perfectly brewed cup tomorrow.

13. The Staircase of (Potential) Misfortune

Sweeping or mopping the office staircase might seem like a good idea—unless, of course, it’s Friday the 13th. Slips, trips, and spills are no joke, especially on a day like today when luck isn’t exactly on your side. Better to save the stairway cleaning for Monday, when everyone’s more likely to stay on their feet.

A (Sort of) Professional Conclusion

While we take commercial cleaning very seriously here at Dazzle, it’s always good to find a bit of humor in the everyday. Friday the 13th is the perfect excuse to take a light-hearted approach to your cleaning tasks—especially when you can use a little superstition to justify skipping the toughest jobs.

Of course, while we joke about avoiding these tricky areas today, rest assured that Dazzle is always here to tackle even the hardest-to-clean spots. Whether it’s Friday the 13th or a regular day, we provide top-tier office cleaning in London, ensuring that every inch of your workspace is sparkling—bad luck or not. So, if you’re looking for a reliable, thorough cleaning service that can handle anything from the haunted meeting room to the dreaded fridge, give us a call!

Because at Dazzle, we believe that even on the unluckiest day of the year, there’s no excuse for an unclean office.