Cleaning for Health: Reducing the Spread of Germs Before Cold & Flu Season Hits

As summer fades and fall approaches, so does the start of cold and flu season. While viruses like influenza and rhinovirus are nothing new, their impact on schools, offices, healthcare facilities, and public spaces can be costly—both in lost productivity and health risks.

But there’s good news: proactive cleaning for health can drastically reduce the spread of germs and create a safer environment for everyone who walks through your facility.

At Lawton Bros, we help facility managers shift from “cleaning for appearance” to “cleaning for infection prevention.” In this blog, we’ll outline the strategies, tools, and protocols your team can implement now—before cold and flu season strikes—to reduce outbreaks, protect your occupants, and keep your facility running smoothly.

Why Cold & Flu Season Requires a Different Cleaning Approach

Unlike dust or spills, germs are invisible—and often underestimated. Cold and flu viruses can:

• Live on surfaces like door handles, desks, and phones for hours or even days
  
  

• Spread through touch points, sneezes, and shared items
  
  

• Cause absenteeism spikes, especially in schools and workplaces
  
  

• Be transmitted before symptoms even appear
  
  

Traditional cleaning removes visible dirt, but true disinfection targets the pathogens that cause illness.

That’s where cleaning for health comes in—prioritizing the right products, protocols, and training to stop germs at the source.

6 Proven Cleaning for Health Strategies Before Flu Season

1. Identify and Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces Daily

High-touch surfaces are the #1 hotspot for virus transmission. These include:

• Door handles and push plates
  
  

• Light switches
  
  

• Desks, tables, and countertops
  
  

• Faucet handles and toilet levers
  
  

• Elevator buttons
  
  

• Shared phones, keyboards, and touchscreen devices
  
  

Best practice:
Disinfect these surfaces at least once per day, and multiple times daily in high-traffic areas.

Lawton Bros Tip:
Use EPA List Q disinfectants, which are approved for emerging viral pathogens including influenza and coronavirus.

2. Train Staff on Correct Disinfection Protocols

The best products won’t work if they’re not used correctly. Many cleaning teams mistakenly spray-and-wipe disinfectants without allowing proper dwell time.

Training reminders:

• Read product labels to determine required dwell time (usually 1–10 minutes)
  
  

• Use clean microfiber cloths or disposable wipes
  
  

• Avoid cross-contamination by using color-coded tools
  
  

• Follow PPE recommendations for each chemical
  
  

Lawton Bros Tip:
We offer on-site and virtual training to help custodial teams implement infection control SOPs effectively.

3. Improve Hand Hygiene Access and Awareness

Hand hygiene remains the single most effective way to reduce germ spread.

What to do:

• Install hand sanitizer dispensers in entrances, classrooms, cafeterias, and breakrooms
  
  

• Stock all restrooms with soap, paper towels, and trash bins
  
  

• Place signage reminding staff and students to wash hands regularly
  
  

• Encourage hand hygiene after sneezing/coughing, before eating, and after restroom use
  
  

Lawton Bros Tip:
We supply a full line of hand soaps, alcohol-based sanitizers, and touch-free dispensers to support compliance.

4. Deep Clean Soft Surfaces and Shared Equipment

Soft surfaces like upholstery, carpets, and mats can harbor viruses, allergens, and bacteria—especially during high-traffic periods.

Recommended care:

• Vacuum daily using HEPA-filtered vacuums
  
  

• Spot-clean stains immediately
  
  

• Schedule monthly hot water extraction for carpets
  
  

• Sanitize gym mats, curtains, and upholstered furniture
  
  

Lawton Bros Tip:
Ask about our low-moisture encapsulation carpet systems that clean and dry fast—ideal for schools and office settings.

5. Prioritize Restroom Sanitation

Restrooms are germ hotspots due to high moisture, frequent use, and bio-load.

Daily essentials:

• Disinfect toilets, urinals, and sinks
  
  

• Sanitize stall handles, partitions, and door locks
  
  

• Mop with germicidal cleaners—don’t just clean with neutral products
  
  

• Refill soap, paper towel, and sanitizer dispensers
  
  

Lawton Bros Tip:
Our restroom cleaning systems combine touchless tools, dosing controls, and high-performance disinfectants for maximum impact.

6. Prepare a Cold & Flu Season Cleaning Response Plan

A proactive cleaning plan helps your team respond quickly when illness strikes.

What your plan should include:

• Increased disinfection schedule during outbreaks
  
  

• Targeted cleaning of affected areas (e.g., classrooms, meeting rooms)
  
  

• Clear communication with building occupants
  
  

• Extra supply inventory (disinfectants, gloves, masks, sanitizer)
  
  

Lawton Bros Tip:
We can help you build a customized cleaning protocol and supply checklist tailored to your facility’s size and risk profile.

Cleaning for Health Is an Investment in Productivity and Wellness

Studies show that improved cleaning and disinfection can:

• Reduce virus transmission by up to 80%
  
  

• Lower student and employee absenteeism
  
  

• Increase occupant satisfaction and trust
  
  

• Improve indoor air quality and reduce allergy triggers
  
  

This approach doesn’t just protect health—it saves time, money, and resources in the long run.

Cold & Flu Season Cleaning Checklist

Daily

• Disinfect high-touch surfaces (doorknobs, desks, switches)
  
  

• Clean and disinfect restrooms thoroughly
  
  

• Mop floors with germicidal cleaner
  
  

• Refill all hand hygiene stations
  
  

• Empty trash bins and replace liners
  
  

Weekly

• Sanitize shared equipment (phones, gym gear, copy machines)
  
  

• Deep clean breakrooms and cafeteria tables
  
  

• Spot-clean carpets and soft surfaces
  
  

• Inspect and replace any damaged PPE or supplies
  
  

Monthly

• Hot water extract carpets in high-traffic zones
  
  

• Disinfect HVAC vents and check filters
  
  

• Conduct refresher training for custodial team
  
  

• Review and restock disinfectants and sanitizing products
  
  

Trust Lawton Bros to Help You Clean for Health

From schools and medical offices to corporate campuses and hospitality venues, Lawton Bros has the experience, products, and training your team needs to keep germs at bay before flu season takes hold.

📞 Call us today at 800-432-0813 to get started or browse our online catalog for infection control solutions trusted by facilities across the region.

Healthy facilities start with smart cleaning. Prepare now—protect later.