Cleaning Tips During Flu Season: Flu-Proof Your Space

Cleaning tips during flu season help reduce the spread of viral particles on shared surfaces, especially in high-traffic environments. Unlike standard cleaning routines, flu-season cleaning demands higher frequency, stronger disinfectants, and a specific focus on high-touch areas. Viruses such as influenza can survive for hours on surfaces like desks, switches, phones, and door handles — making daily disinfection a frontline defence. This guide outlines practical cleaning strategies tailored for workplaces, shared facilities, and households to stay safer throughout the flu season.

How Flu Season Changes the Cleaning Priorities

Flu season shifts the cleaning focus from appearance to infection control. This means increasing cleaning frequency, targeting key contact points, and ensuring that disinfectants are effective against viruses — not just bacteria or grime.

In commercial spaces such as offices and gyms, cleaning protocols must evolve to reflect seasonal risks. Surfaces should remain visibly clean, but more importantly, they must be treated with virucidal-grade products that disrupt viral survival on materials like plastic, metal, and fabric.

Fitness centres face unique challenges in flu season, with equipment touched by dozens of people each hour. Even with wipe-down stations, viruses can linger on weights, mats, and benches. That’s why many facilities turn to structured Gym Cleaning services that target high-contact points daily.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Tips During Flu Season

A consistent method helps teams or households clean effectively. The following flu-season cleaning checklist ensures all key areas are covered.

1. Identify High-Touch Surfaces

Before cleaning begins, list all contact-heavy areas. These should be disinfected multiple times daily.

Door handles, elevator buttons, light switches
Shared keyboards, mice, and office phones
Bathroom taps, flush buttons, soap dispensers
Kitchen appliance handles and benchtops
Chair armrests, meeting room tables
Remote controls and touchscreens

These surfaces are often the most contaminated but also the most overlooked.

2. Select Proper Disinfectants for Flu Prevention

A critical difference between cleaning and disinfecting is the product used. Not all surface sprays kill viruses. During flu season, products should be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) or carry proven virucidal claims.

Recommended disinfectants:

Alcohol-based sprays with ≥70% isopropyl alcohol
TGA-listed hospital-grade disinfectants
Disposable virucidal wipes for electronics and handrails

Avoid:

All-purpose cleaners without viral kill claims
Reusable cloths that aren't cleaned between uses

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for surface contact time to ensure effectiveness.

Apply the Two-Stage Cleaning Method

To properly remove germs, clean first, then disinfect. Dirt and grime can shield viruses from disinfectants.

Step 1: Pre-clean with detergent and microfibre to lift grime
Step 2: Disinfect using a virucidal product, leaving it wet for the full contact time (usually 5–10 minutes)

This method is essential in both residential and commercial spaces—especially when understanding the difference between regular and deep cleaning during high-risk seasons.

4. Increase Frequency for Shared Areas

Frequency is just as important as technique. Cleaning once a day may not be enough in high-traffic areas.

Suggested minimums:

Bathrooms: 2–3 times daily
Kitchens: after every peak use
Workstations: at the start and end of each shift
Shared equipment: after every use

When possible, implement visible cleaning logs to maintain accountability.

Flu-Season Cleaning Supplies Checklist

Using the correct tools not only improves hygiene but also helps prevent cross-contamination. Always label your tools and assign them by area (e.g., kitchen vs bathroom).

Essential supplies include:

Disposable nitrile gloves
Color-coded microfibre cloths
70% alcohol-based sprays or wipes
Hospital-grade surface disinfectants
Hands-free rubbish bins with liners
Disinfectant mops and bucket systems
Hand sanitizer stations (especially at entrances)

Every item in your cleaning kit should support flu-prevention efforts, not just routine cleanliness.

Office Cleaning Tips During Flu Season

In commercial workplaces, cleaning should be integrated into the operational workflow — not treated as an afterthought. Cleaners and staff should work together to ensure hygiene targets are met.

Recommended strategies:

Assign team responsibility for cleaning personal desks
Place wipes and sanitizer near shared tools and copiers
Post-flu-season hygiene reminders in bathrooms and kitchens
Disinfect meeting rooms between sessions
Schedule professional cleaning support at least weekly

Schedule professional office cleaning services at least weekly to ensure disinfection keeps pace with workplace foot traffic.

Household Cleaning Tips During Flu Season

Homes with sick family members, children, or elderly residents require vigilant cleaning to stop the flu from spreading.

Key recommendations:

Disinfect bathroom surfaces after each use
Clean remotes, phones, and switches daily
Wash bedding, towels, and clothes on hot cycles
Steam or disinfect upholstery and soft toys
Ventilate frequently to reduce airborne contaminants

While household cleaners may vary, opt for virucidal products over generic sprays during this season.

Common Mistakes in Flu Season Cleaning

Even well-meaning cleaning routines can be ineffective if done incorrectly. Avoid these pitfalls:

Wiping surfaces too quickly (not allowing dwell time)
Using the same cloth across rooms without sanitising it
Over-relying on wipes without cleaning surfaces first
Ignoring soft surfaces like chairs and cushions
Neglecting staff training on how to use disinfectants

Consistency and product knowledge are just as important as the act of cleaning itself.

FAQs About Cleaning Tips During Flu Season

Before wrapping up, here are detailed answers to some of the most searched questions about flu-season cleaning — especially relevant for commercial spaces, facility managers, and shared households.

How often should high-touch surfaces be cleaned during flu season?

During flu season, high-touch surfaces in shared spaces should be cleaned and disinfected at least 2–3 times per day. In offices and public buildings, areas like bathroom taps, door handles, lift buttons, and shared equipment should be cleaned after each major use period. In homes, once daily may be sufficient unless someone is ill. The key is to not just clean, but disinfect using a TGA-approved product with proven virucidal action, and to allow the disinfectant to sit wet for the recommended contact time.

What cleaning products are effective during flu outbreaks?

The most effective products include alcohol-based disinfectants (≥70%), TGA-approved hospital-grade disinfectants, and virucidal wipes. These are designed to kill influenza viruses on hard surfaces. Always read the label to confirm the product kills “influenza A” or similar respiratory viruses. Do not substitute with general-purpose cleaners, vinegar, or essential oil mixes during flu season, as these may not meet virucidal standards. For electronic items, use alcohol-based wipes that won’t damage sensitive surfaces.

Is regular soap and water enough for flu-season cleaning?

Soap and water are sufficient for removing dirt and grime, but not enough to kill viruses on their own. That’s why a two-step method is recommended: first, clean the surface with soap or detergent to remove residue, then follow with a virucidal disinfectant. This sequence ensures both cleanliness and viral deactivation. In households, soap alone may be enough for hands, but for hard surfaces, add a disinfectant step, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and shared zones.

Can flu viruses survive on soft furnishings?

Yes, flu viruses can survive on soft furnishings for several hours — sometimes longer in low-ventilation settings. Although survival time varies based on material and humidity, it’s essential to disinfect or steam clean soft chairs, couches, curtains, and shared cushions. Use fabric-safe disinfectants or schedule professional upholstery cleaning where needed. For homes, wash throws and covers in hot water. In offices, vacuum with HEPA filters and clean chair arms and seats daily.

Final Thoughts: Structure Flu-Season Cleaning into Daily Routines

Flu season requires more than a surface wipe — it demands a cleaning strategy. Whether managing a workplace or maintaining a household, adjusting cleaning routines to include disinfection, frequency, and targeted supply use can significantly reduce transmission risks.

Call Everyday Clean for Expert Seasonal Disinfection

Everyday Clean offers flu-season cleaning support for offices, gyms, strata properties, and high-traffic commercial spaces across Sydney. Our trained cleaners use eco-friendly, TGA-approved disinfectants and adhere to infection-control cleaning protocols that keep your facilities safe, compliant, and confidently clean.

Author: Everyday Clean Content Team
Everyday Clean is Sydney’s trusted provider of commercial cleaning solutions, including pools, gyms, offices, and strata properties. Our licensed professionals use advanced, eco-friendly equipment to deliver safe, compliant, and spotless results. With deep experience across Sydney’s hospitality, fitness, and residential sectors, we help facilities maintain inviting, healthy environments that guests trust.

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