Every year it happens. The weather turns, pumpkin spice lattes appear, and suddenly half your office sounds like a bad cough drop commercial. Flu season doesn’t just hit people… it hits productivity, morale, and your facility’s reputation when staff or tenants feel like germs are lurking everywhere.
The good news is that a little proactive cleaning (and some smart disinfection strategies) can make a huge difference in keeping your workplace healthier and keeping those dreaded “sorry, out sick” emails from piling up.
Why Flu Season Hits Offices Hard
It’s no secret that offices are basically germ-sharing hubs. Shared restrooms, breakroom coffee pots, door handles, elevator buttons. It’s pretty much a perfect storm for viruses. According to the CDC, flu season costs U.S. businesses billions every year in lost productivity. (And yes, those “just power through it” employees are the ones that are spreading germs even faster.)
When one sneeze can travel up to 200 feet in a room (yikes!), surface cleaning alone doesn’t cut it. That’s why you need a layered approach.
Step One: Go After the Germ Hot Spots
You can’t clean everything 24/7, so focus on the places where germs love to hang out:
- Restrooms – Faucets, door handles, and soap dispensers see constant use.
- Breakrooms – Coffee pot handles, fridge doors, and microwaves are basically germ magnets.
- Workstations – Keyboards and phones often have more bacteria than a toilet seat. (Yes, really.)
- Shared Surfaces – Conference tables, copy machine buttons, elevator controls… all the fun stuff.
Practical tip: Create a quick “high-touch checklist” for your cleaning crew or day porter to hit multiple times a day.
Step Two: Rethink Your Cleaning Routine
Basic cleaning makes things look nice, but disinfecting actually kills viruses. This is where flu season calls for an upgrade:
- Swap in EPA-approved disinfectants instead of general cleaners. A few of our favorites are: Clorox Healthcare Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner Disinfectant, Lysol Disinfectant Spray and PURELL Professional Surface Disinfectant
- Increase cleaning frequency in high-traffic areas.
- Consider flexible day porter services for large buildings where restrooms and lobbies can get grimy fast.
- Encourage staff to pitch in, even just wiping down their own desk phones.
Step Three: Upgrade to Pro-Level Disinfection
Here’s where your cleaning gets next-level. Electrostatic spraying (yes, it sounds sci-fi but we promise it’s a real thing) evenly coats surfaces with hospital-grade disinfectant. That means fewer germs hanging around, and less chance flu will make the rounds through your building.
Think of it like putting your facility in a bubble of clean.
(If you really want to nerd out, here’s a good article from the EPA about electrostatic sprayers and how they work.)
Step Four: Don’t Forget Your People
The cleanest office in the world won’t stop flu season if employees aren’t taking care of themselves. Some non-cleaning tips worth passing along:
- Encourage sick staff to actually stay home. (We know, radical idea.)
- Stock up on tissues and hand sanitizer in visible, convenient spots.
- Make sure HVAC filters are changed regularly, clean air matters too.
- Lead by example: when management is seen cleaning up after themselves (or staying home when they’re sick), staff usually follows.
Flu Season Doesn’t Have to Mean Sick Season
Office flu season is inevitable. Germ-covered conference tables don’t have to be. With a mix of smart cleaning strategies, a focus on hot spots, and professional disinfection like electrostatic spraying, you can keep your office healthier and your team happier.
Ready to improve your cleaning routine before flu season strikes? Learn more about our Electrostatic Spraying service or shoot us a message here for a free quote.
