As temperatures cool and people spend more time indoors, cold and flu season makes its grand entrance, ready to test your defenses. For most businesses, this period often brings challenges like increased sick leave and potential dips in productivity. So what’s your game plan? By following practical seasonal tips and adopting a focused cleaning approach, you can protect your team from seasonal illnesses. Fall is an ideal time to refresh cleaning practices and take preventative steps. Whether your business operates in healthcare, corporate offices, educational settings, or other environments, focusing on thorough sanitation can help reduce germ transmission and keep your team healthier.

Kickstart your defense against seasonal illnesses with these essential cold and flu prevention strategies for cleaning the workplace.

Why Deep Cleaning Matters During Cold & Flu Season

Fall brings more than just pumpkin spice and chilly weather—it also marks the onset of flu season. It’s an excellent time to schedule commercial deep cleaning services that can help curb virus spread before peak season arrives. Cold and flu viruses can linger on surfaces for extended periods, so areas like doors, workstations, and shared devices are hotspots for germs. In spaces with high foot traffic, such as healthcare facilities and schools, professional-grade cleaning becomes critical.

To minimize the spread of germs, consider partnering with a deep cleaning provider that has the training and tools to target all corners of the workplace. A comprehensive cleaning plan that includes electrostatic disinfection, HEPA vacuuming, and surface sanitizing can serve as an effective answer to how to prevent the flu in your workplace. Flu viruses can survive on surfaces for up to 24 hours, and sometimes infect a person after 48 hours,¹ so ensuring a frequent cleaning schedule can make a big difference in reducing workplace sickness.

Seasonal Health Tips for Facility Managers

Facility managers are at the frontline of maintaining a healthy workplace. It’s your job to put strategies in place that keep germs at bay and protect your team’s well-being. Implementing these targeted cold and flu season tips can significantly reduce illness within any facility.

Increase Cleaning Frequency

Upping the cleaning frequency is crucial during flu season. Door handles, elevator buttons, and stair railings need multiple rounds of sanitization each day. Consider adjusting the cleaning schedule to accommodate increased demands.

For more extensive coverage, commercial deep cleaning services will handle areas such as lobbies, shared kitchens, and restrooms. High-contact surfaces should be sanitized at least twice a day, and communal areas must receive thorough cleaning at least once a week.

Encourage Health Education

Creating a culture of physical and mental wellness at the workplace goes beyond just physical cleaning. Informing employees about best practices—like proper handwashing techniques, using sanitizers, and staying home when feeling sick—helps everyone stay vigilant. You shouldn’t force team members to come to work or attend teambuilding events and other in-person meetings if they feel unwell and exhibit cold or flu symptoms. Putting up posters or reminders in bathrooms and break rooms can reinforce these messages.

You might want to consider hosting workshops or short educational sessions on the importance of flu shots and personal hygiene and the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing.¹ Offering incentives for employees who get vaccinated can also enhance workplace health.

Book Specialized Services

In addition to regular cleaning, facility managers should schedule commercial deep cleaning services that go beyond surface-level sanitation.

Deep carpet cleaning ensures hidden contaminants are fully removed, especially from high pile carpets. Carpets can trap allergens, dust, and pathogens that contribute to a less healthy environment.
HVAC cleaning, essential for facilities with high foot traffic, reduces the circulation of airborne pathogens and maintains better air quality, which can be crucial for preventing influenza.
HEPA vacuuming and high-pressure steam cleaning are techniques that can effectively target difficult areas, like upholstery and curtains, that might not get addressed in daily cleaning routines.
Electrostatic disinfection uses electrically charged sprays to ensure an even coating on surfaces, which is especially useful for objects like phones and keyboards that are tough to sanitize manually.
Antimicrobial treatments like PRO-Techs and other EPA-approved technologies can add an extra layer of protection by preventing germs and harmful pathogens from reattaching to cleaned surfaces.

Including these value-added services in your seasonal cleaning plan is a smart way to avoid germ buildup and support a healthier environment overall.

Customizing Cleaning for Different Industries

Each industry has specific needs during cold and flu season. Review some tailored approaches for various sectors to learn more about how facilities in your sector typically prepare.

Medical & Healthcare Facilities

Healthcare environments demand rigorous cleaning protocols. Beyond standard surface disinfection, it’s important to address airborne pathogens. Scheduling HVAC system cleanings, maintaining air filters, and ensuring regular disinfecting of all patient areas are key steps in protecting both patients and staff. In these settings, medical cleaning services are invaluable to prevent cross-contamination and maintain high sanitation standards.

Corporate Offices

Shared workspaces, break rooms, and conference rooms can quickly become germ hotspots. Implement regular cleanings that focus on desktops, communal electronics, and kitchen surfaces. Even small steps like placing hand sanitizer dispensers in high-traffic areas can make a difference in limiting germ spread. Think about encouraging a clean desk policy too, where employees are asked to wipe down their workspaces at the end of each day. You can find more ideas in our comprehensive cleaning guide for office admins.

Schools & Universities

Educational facilities face a unique challenge: young people are particularly prone to spreading germs. Electrostatic disinfection and frequent sanitation of desks, computers, and communal spaces like cafeterias can help reduce serious outbreaks. Asking students and faculty to wash hands frequently, sneeze in the crook of their arm, and avoid sharing personal items will also help maintain a healthier environment that is more conducive to learning without interruptions.

Restaurants & Kitchens

In food service, cleanliness is non-negotiable. Outside of basic cleaning, kitchen areas require deep sanitation to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses. Floor and appliance cleaning, surface sanitizing, and accessible handwashing stations are must-have components of a safe food preparation area. You’ll also want to invest in supplies like gloves, masks, and disposable aprons to further prevent cross-contamination.

Extra Precautions to Minimize Workplace Illness

On top of regular cleaning, consider implementing these extra measures to further protect your workplace during cold and flu season.

Implement Air Purification Systems: Ensuring good air quality is critical. Regularly replacing HVAC filters, using HEPA air purifiers, and maintaining a good ventilation system can reduce airborne pathogens. An air purification system can also help alleviate symptoms for those with respiratory issues or allergies.
Reduce Shared Surface Touchpoints: The fewer shared surfaces, the better. Consider automating doors, installing hands-free faucets, and providing individual tools like computer mice or keyboards where possible. Reducing touchpoints can limit virus transmission, particularly in busy areas like kitchens or break rooms.
Promote Health & Wellness Initiatives: Establish a workplace wellness program that includes flu season initiatives. Offer flu shots or send out reminders, encourage proper nutrition, and provide information on maintaining good health habits. Spending a little more time and money on wellness can reduce absenteeism and help build that strong culture of health that benefits everyone year-round.

Start Preparing Your Organization

Integrating professional cleaning solutions into your seasonal preparations is one of the most valuable ways to protect your workplace during cold and flu season. Partnering with a reliable provider like Commercial Cleaning Corporation can help maintain a healthier environment with specialized cleaning programs suited to your industry. By investing in expert cleaning services, you minimize flu season risks and create a safer, more productive workspace for everyone.

Ready to get started? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find the ideal cleaning plan for your business to make the most of these cold and flu season tips.

Sources:

1. How to Clean & Disinfect Schools to Help Slow the Spread of Flu, CDC