Flu season can hit hard, especially in bustling cities like Los Angeles, CA, where germs spread quickly in shared spaces. For businesses and facilities, one outbreak can derail daily operations, lower productivity, and impact health and morale. The good news? You can fight back before the sneezing and coughing start, and it all begins with defensive cleaning.
Defensive cleaning isn’t about cleaning when things look dirty. Instead, it’s a proactive approach that creates a healthier, safer environment by targeting germs and pathogens long before they pose a risk. Read on to learn why it’s so important before flu season, how professional janitorial services can play a pivotal role, and what steps you should take to protect your space.
Defensive cleaning focuses on deep cleaning, sanitization, and disinfection aimed at preventing illness. Unlike regular cleaning—which is often more about aesthetics (wiping surfaces, taking out trash, etc.)—defensive cleaning specifically targets bacteria, viruses, and pathogens in high-touch and high-traffic areas.
It involves more than a quick spray of disinfectant; it’s a methodical process that ensures any potential hotspots for germ transmission are properly treated. This is particularly critical before flu season when cases of influenza surge and spread rapidly in shared spaces like offices, schools, and commercial buildings.
Ensuring your space is flu-ready requires more than your standard cleaning practices. Here’s why a defensive cleaning approach is essential before flu season kicks in.
Did you know that flu viruses can survive on surfaces like desks, door handles, and keyboards for up to 48 hours? That means a single employee or visitor can introduce germs that linger, infecting others long after they leave.
Defensive cleaning helps eliminate pathogens quickly so they don’t have the chance to spread or multiply.
Regular surface-level cleaning is great for maintaining general tidiness but might not target hidden germs. For example, wiping down a counter doesn’t ensure that harmful viruses are killed; they might still linger beneath the surface. Using hospital-grade disinfectants as part of a defensive cleaning strategy is crucial during flu season.
Consider the costs of multiple sick days for employees or a health inspection due to an outbreak. Proactively investing in defensive cleaning can save businesses thousands of dollars in lost productivity, health claims, and reputation damage.
People feel safer and more valued in a space that prioritizes cleanliness and hygiene. Prepping your facility with defensive cleaning can boost morale, showing employees and visitors alike that you care about their well-being.
An office that takes cleaning seriously is less likely to experience a huge wave of flu-related absences. With fewer people getting sick, operations can run more smoothly and efficiently throughout flu season.
For businesses in heavily regulated industries (like healthcare, food service, and hospitality), defensive cleaning ensures compliance with health and safety standards. Even outside of these sectors, a clean workplace speaks volumes about your professionalism and attention to detail.
Here’s how to create a comprehensive defensive cleaning strategy to keep your space germ-free and ready for flu season.
Focus your efforts on places where germs are most likely to thrive, including:
Ensure that high-touch surfaces are disinfected regularly using products specifically designed to kill germs and viruses, including flu-specific pathogens. Schedule routine deep cleans to prevent buildup.
Defensive cleaning can’t always be effectively managed in-house, especially for larger facilities or businesses operating on a tight schedule. That’s where professional services come in. At S&W Janitorial Services, we specialize in flu-season readiness with custom cleaning plans for businesses across Los Angeles, CA. Our trained professionals use the latest tools, methods, and EPA-approved disinfectants to create cleaner, healthier workplaces year-round.
Contact S&W Janitorial Services today for a free quote on your janitorial service needs.
Defensive cleaning isn’t just the job of your janitorial service! Educating employees or occupants about proper personal hygiene (like frequent handwashing and using disinfectant wipes) can go a long way in stopping the spread of germs.
Provide hand sanitizers, antibacterial wipes, and tissues at key areas throughout your space. Ensure that soap dispensers in bathrooms and kitchens are always full, so there’s no excuse to skip handwashing.
Flu viruses don’t just linger on surfaces; they can also spread via airborne particles. Enhance ventilation in your space, and consider using air purifiers with HEPA filters to reduce airborne pathogens.
Flu season doesn’t have to mean inevitable sick days and low morale. By implementing a defensive cleaning plan ahead of time, you can ensure your workplace remains productive, healthy, and flu-free.
For businesses in Los Angeles, CA, defensive cleaning is as simple as hiring the right janitorial service. At S&W Janitorial Services, we don’t just clean—we create spaces where people thrive. Get ahead of flu season; contact us today for your free quote and experience the difference professional janitorial care can make.
