Flu Season Cleaning Tips for Commercial Spaces

Keep your office healthy this flu season

Every year as fall settles in and the rainy season begins across BC and Ontario, the familiar signs of flu season return right along with it. For offices, warehouses, and other commercial spaces, this time of year can bring more sick days, lower productivity, and a lot of shared worry about germs making the rounds. The good news is that the right cleaning and disinfection plan can make a real difference in keeping your team healthy and your operations running smoothly.

Here are a few practical ways to prepare your workplace for flu season and reduce the risk of illness spreading at work

1. Make daily disinfection a part of your routine

Regular cleaning is important year-round but during flu season, it’s worth taking extra steps to disinfect shared surfaces. Door handles, light switches, elevator buttons, shared desks, and breakroom tables are some of the most common touchpoints where germs can spread quickly.

Professional cleaners use healthcare-grade disinfectants that are designed to kill cold and flu viruses effectively. These products meet higher standards than what’s typically found in retail cleaning supplies, ensuring better protection for your staff and customers.

2. Use electrostatic spraying for full coverage

Traditional cleaning and wiping can miss hard-to-reach areas , especially in busy office environments. That’s where electrostatic spraying comes in. This technology uses a fine mist that clings to every surface, creating a uniform layer of disinfectant.

It’s especially useful for large commercial spaces, common areas, and shared facilities like gyms or cafeterias. Many businesses schedule electrostatic spraying as part of a seasonal deep clean or after a known illness or outbreak in the office.

3. Focus on high-traffic and high-touch zones

Every workspace has its own “germ hotspots.” For most offices, that includes shared equipment such as printers, coffee machines, water coolers, and conference room tables. For manufacturing facilities or warehouses, it may include tools, control panels, or shared vehicles.

Identifying these areas helps your cleaning team target their efforts where they’ll have the biggest impact. During flu season, these touchpoints should be disinfected multiple times a day if possible.

4. Encourage good hygiene habits among staff

Cleaning alone can’t stop the spread of illness if people aren’t doing their part. Proving accessible hand sanitizer stations, tissues, and disinfectant wipes helps remind everyone to take responsibility for keeping shared spaces clean.

Simple reminders (posters near entrances, email updates about flu prevention, etc.) can go a long way. Encourage employees to stay home if they’re feeling unwell and make sure managers lead by example.

5. Schedule seasonal deep cleaning

Even if your office already has a regular janitorial program, a seasonal deep clean helps reset your space for the months ahead. This includes detailed cleaning of less obvious areas like baseboards, vents, upholstery, and carpets that can trap dust and germs over time.

A deep clean before peak flu season can make ongoing maintenance more effective and help reduce the spread of illness in the coming months.

6. Don’t forget about indoor air quality

Flu season often coincides with colder, wetter weather, when windows stay closed and ventilation can be limited. Poor air circulation can make it easier for viruses to linger. Consider having HVAC systems cleaned and filters replaced before flu season starts. Some businesses also add portable air purifiers in shared areas to help reduce airborne contaminants.

Clean air, combined with consistent surface disinfection, can make a noticeable difference in keeping your team healthy.

7. Partner with a commercial cleaning company you can trust

A proactive cleaning plan works best when it’s consistent and reliable. Partnering with a professional commercial cleaning company ensures you have trained staff using the right tools and products for the job. 

At Master Care, we work with offices, retail spaces, clinics, industrial facilities, institutions, and commercial spaces across BC and Ontario to develop customized cleaning programs that fit each client’s needs. Our teams use healthcare-grade disinfectants and disinfection methods like electrostatic spraying to help reduce flu and cold transmission in the workspace. We also offer flexible scheduling so cleaning can happen before or after business hours with minimal disruption.

8. Prepare early

Flu season can arrive quickly once temperatures drop. Getting ahead of it—by reviewing your cleaning schedule, booking your deep clean, and stocking up on supplies—means you won’t be scrambling once the first cases hit your office.

Preventing the flu from spreading isn’t just about keeping surfaces clean. It’s about protecting the people who keep your business running every day.

Book a free on-site assessment

Every workspace is different, and a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t always work. Master Care offers a free on-site assessments to evaluate your facility and recommend the best seasonal cleaning plan for your space. Whether you manage a corporate office, clinic, or manufacturing site, we can help you create a cleaner, healthier environment this flu season.

To get started, book your free on-site assessment today.