Flu Season and Office Cleaning: How to Minimize the Spread of Germs
As flu season approaches, workplaces face an increased risk of illness spreading among employees. With shared office spaces, high-touch surfaces, and frequent interactions, germs can quickly circulate, leading to more sick days and decreased productivity. At Rosie Cleans in Morristown, NJ, our Office and Commercial Cleaning services focus on creating a sanitary work environment to keep employees healthy and minimize the risk of infection.
Understanding How Germs Spread in the Workplace
Offices and commercial spaces are breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses, especially during flu season. The flu virus can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours, meaning a single contaminated surface can expose multiple employees. Some of the most common ways germs spread in offices include:
✔ High-touch surfaces – Door Knobs, keyboards, phones, and shared office equipment are hotspots for germs.
✔ Airborne transmission – Coughing and sneezing release tiny droplets into the air, infecting others.
✔ Shared spaces – Conference rooms, breakrooms, and restrooms facilitate indirect germ transmission.
✔ Poor hand hygiene – Employees who don't wash their hands regularly can unknowingly spread illness.
A proactive cleaning strategy helps eliminate these risks and keeps employees safe.
Essential Office Cleaning Strategies for Flu Season
A thorough cleaning routine is crucial to preventing flu outbreaks in the workplace. Implementing the following sanitation practices will help keep germs at bay.
1. Increase the Frequency of Surface Disinfection
High-contact surfaces accumulate bacteria quickly and should be disinfected multiple times throughout the day. Key areas that require frequent cleaning include:
✔ Workstations – Keyboards, desks, mice, and office phones
✔ Common areas – Conference tables, reception desks, and waiting areas
✔ Breakrooms – Microwaves, refrigerators, coffee machines, and water dispensers
✔ Restrooms – Sink handles, stall doors, soap dispensers, and paper towel dispensers
✔ Shared equipment – Printers, copiers, and communal office supplies
Using EPA-approved disinfectants ensures that harmful pathogens are effectively eliminated.
2. Improve Air Quality and Ventilation
Since flu viruses can spread through the air, improving indoor air quality is just as important as surface cleaning. Simple steps to enhance office ventilation include:
✔ Regularly changing HVAC filters to reduce airborne contaminants
✔ Using air purifiers with HEPA filters to capture bacteria and viruses
✔ Encouraging employees to open windows when possible for fresh air circulation
Maintaining clean air minimizes the risk of employees inhaling airborne flu particles.
3. Encourage Proper Hand Hygiene Among Employees
Handwashing is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent illness. Encourage employees to:
✔ Wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
✔ Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water aren’t available
✔ Avoid touching their faces, noses, and mouths to reduce self-contamination
Providing hand sanitizing stations in high-traffic areas further reinforces good hygiene habits.
4. Promote Desk and Workspace Cleanliness
Employees should take responsibility for keeping their personal work areas tidy. Encourage the following practices:
✔ Wipe down desks, keyboards, and office supplies with disinfectant wipes daily
✔ Avoid eating at desks to prevent foodborne bacteria buildup
✔ Declutter workstations to minimize dust and germ accumulation
Keeping workspaces organized and disinfected reduces the likelihood of flu transmission.
5. Establish a Professional Office Cleaning Routine
While daily self-cleaning is helpful, professional cleaning services ensure deeper sanitation. A routine office cleaning plan should include:
✔ Daily disinfection of high-contact surfaces
✔ Weekly deep cleaning of carpets, furniture, and shared spaces
✔ Specialized restroom sanitation to prevent bacteria growth
At Rosie Cleans in Morristown, NJ, our Office and Commercial Cleaning services are tailored to flu season preparedness, ensuring businesses remain clean, healthy, and productive.
Additional Workplace Health Measures
Beyond cleaning, offices can adopt health-conscious workplace policies to further prevent flu outbreaks.
✔ Encourage sick employees to stay home – A flexible sick leave policy prevents illness from spreading.
✔ Provide flu shot information – Hosting flu shot clinics or sharing vaccine resources can boost immunity.
✔ Minimize shared office supplies – Assign personal office items like pens, staplers, and headsets to employees.
✔ Educate employees on flu prevention – Regular reminders and posters help reinforce hygiene best practices.
By combining cleaning efforts with proactive health measures, businesses can reduce the impact of flu season on their workforce.
At Rosie Cleans in Morristown, NJ, we provide Office and Commercial Cleaning services to help businesses maintain a sanitary and flu-free workplace. Contact us at 862-305-0916 or book online to schedule an appointment today.
