Why It’s Crucial to Step Up Your Cleaning Game in Winter

Published by Conal Wixted on 18th September 2024 | Healthcare Cleaning

As winter approaches and temperatures drop, we all reach for our warm coats, scarves, and gloves. While winter brings the joy of crisp walks and cosy nights, it also comes with a heightened risk of illness. Germs thrive in cold weather, and the close confines of indoor spaces become breeding grounds for viruses such as the flu, RSV, and even Covid-19.

For businesses, this means it’s more important than ever to maintain high standards of cleanliness to protect staff, customers, and operations. Here are key reasons why stepping up your cleaning game in winter is essential, along with practical ways to keep your workplace safe and healthy.

How are germs spread?

Before we get into how to prevent germs, it’s important to know how they are spread in the first place.

Germs spread through several means, making it hard to stop their transmission entirely. However, understanding how they are transmitted can help reduce their impact. There are three key factors involved:

A source of infection (someone who is infected or carrying the germs)
A new host (a person who can become infected)
A means of transmission (through the air, physical contact, or shared surfaces)

In the workplace, germs spread quickly due to shared spaces and equipment. Coughs, sneezes, and even touching door handles can transmit viruses. Once one person is infected, it’s only a matter of time before it spreads to others unless proactive cleaning measures are in place.

Reducing the risk of infection in winter

Frequent hand washing

Encourage employees to wash their hands regularly. This simple action can drastically reduce the spread of germs. In an office, hands touch countless surfaces – desks, phones, printers – and it’s easy for germs to transfer from one person to the next. Provide ample hand sanitiser and remind staff to wash their hands after touching shared items.

Increased cleaning services

High-traffic areas like offices, break rooms, and bathrooms are hotspots for germ transmission. Winter calls for more frequent cleaning of shared surfaces such as desks, keyboards, door handles, and bathroom fixtures.

Consider increasing your cleaning service schedule to ensure that these spaces remain hygienic throughout the day. If you already have a cleaning company, discuss a winter-specific plan with them to address these needs.

Disinfecting surfaces

Regularly disinfecting high-touch surfaces is critical in controlling the spread of viruses. Anti-bacterial wipes and sprays should be readily available for staff to use throughout the day.

Incorporating quick disinfecting sessions into your daily routine – particularly for items like shared keyboards, printers, and desks – can make a huge difference in preventing illness.

The importance of ventilation in winter

One of the biggest challenges in winter is maintaining good airflow indoors. We naturally close windows and doors to keep the heat in, but stagnant air can allow airborne viruses to linger. Improving ventilation in the workplace is key to reducing the risk of airborne transmission.

Wherever possible, keep windows slightly open to allow fresh air to circulate, even in colder weather. If that’s not an option, consider investing in air purifiers to help filter out germs and allergens from the air.

Flexible Working to Limit Exposure

Another way to minimise the spread of germs is by limiting the number of people in the office. Hybrid working has become the norm for many businesses since the pandemic, and it remains a useful strategy during the winter months. Allowing employees to work from home when possible, can reduce the number of people in the office, lowering the risk of infections spreading.

If employees show any signs of illness, encourage them to stay at home and recover. This not only protects their health but also prevents the virus from spreading through the office, keeping more staff at work and reducing sick leave.

Covering Coughs and Sneezes

Respiratory illnesses, including the flu and COVID-19, are often spread through droplets from coughing or sneezing. Encourage staff to cover their mouths with tissues or their elbows when coughing or sneezing.

Provide tissues throughout the office and make sure bins are emptied regularly to avoid build-up. Posting signs reminding people to “catch it, bin it, kill it” can also serve as a useful prompt for staff to remember this vital hygiene practice.

Promoting a healthier workforce

While cleaning practices are crucial, promoting overall health and wellbeing is just as important. A strong immune system can help employees fight off winter bugs more effectively. Encourage good habits such as:

Getting enough sleep
Eating a balanced diet
Staying hydrated
Regular exercise

Promoting wellness in the workplace, from offering healthy snacks to supporting mental health, can go a long way in keeping your workforce resilient against winter illnesses.

Why professional cleaning services matter in winter

It can be difficult for employees to keep up with cleaning tasks during the day, especially when workloads are heavy. This is where professional cleaning services can make all the difference. A dedicated cleaning team ensures that your workplace is cleaned to a high standard on a consistent basis, taking the pressure off staff.

During winter, commercial cleaners can focus on sanitising high-touch areas, maintaining hygiene in common areas, and ensuring that your space remains safe. A professional service can help manage the increased cleaning needs that the winter season demands, allowing you and your team to focus on what matters most: running your business.

Tel: 01525 406926

Email: enquiries@wixtedcleaning.com