Your Guide to Reducing the Spread of Germs This Season

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Cold and flu season can make it feel like no amount of cleaning is ever enough. You wipe surfaces, wash your hands, and germs seem to spread anyway. The good news? It’s not about cleaning more. It’s about cleaning smarter.

By following three essential steps—deep clean, disinfect, and maintain—you can actively reduce the spread of germs in your space and take back control during cold and flu season. When these steps are done in the right order and at the right frequency, they work together to create a cleaner, healthier environment.

Below, we’ll break down each step and show you how to put this three-step approach into action so your cleaning routine works when it matters most.

Key Takeaways

Why cleaning alone isn’t enough during cold and flu season

How proper disinfecting helps stop the spread of viruses

How regular maintenance supports a healthier space

Deep Clean

Deep cleaning is the foundation of any effective cold and flu season routine. While cleaning is part of everyday life, it’s often the first step to get skipped when schedules get busy. But if you plan to disinfect, cleaning must come first.

Removing visible dirt and debris allows disinfectants to properly reach and work on germs. Without this step, you’re more likely to spread contaminants across surfaces rather than eliminate them.

Focus on these deep-cleaning essentials:

Clean before disinfecting. Dirt and grime can stop disinfectants from working effectively.

Target high-touch surfaces. Pay special attention to doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, appliance handles, and countertops.

Use a powerful cleaner. Products like Zep Multi-Purpose Pine Cleaner are designed to cut through grease and buildup, leaving surfaces smelling fresh and ready for disinfection.

Pro Tip: Improving ventilation can help reduce the number of airborne viruses in your space. Open windows when possible, use air purifiers with HEPA filters, and keep HVAC systems and air filters properly maintained.

Disinfect

Disinfecting is the step that actually stops germs in their tracks. While deep cleaning removes dirt and debris, disinfecting is what kills the germs and viruses left behind. Skipping this step, or doing it incorrectly, can leave surfaces looking clean but still contaminated.

Germs vs. Viruses: What’s the Difference?

Germs include bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Viruses are a specific type of germ that must invade a host cell to reproduce and spread.

That’s why it’s important to use disinfectants designed to kill viruses, not just clean surfaces.

Where Does Sanitizing Fit In?

Sanitizing reduces the number of germs on a surface to safer levels, making it a helpful option for high-traffic areas and for maintaining cleanliness between deep cleaning and disinfecting.

Key disinfecting best practices:

Always disinfect after cleaning.

Follow label directions, including contact time.

Disinfect both hard and soft surfaces, where germs can easily linger.

Choose versatile products, such as Zep Antibacterial Disinfectant & Cleaner with Lemon*, that can be used across multiple surface types.

Pro Tip: If a surface isn’t visibly wet for the recommended contact time, it may not be fully disinfected.

Maintain

Deep cleaning and disinfecting are powerful, but their impact doesn’t last without consistent maintenance. Maintaining a regular cleaning routine helps prevent germs, dirt, and grime from building back up.

Maintenance-focused cleaning keeps your space at a healthier baseline, making deep cleaning and disinfecting faster and more effective when needed. Everyday cleaners like Zep Vinegar Pro Multi-Surface Cleaner are designed for regular use and help control buildup between deeper cleanings.

Simple ways to maintain a cleaner space:

Clean high-touch surfaces regularly, even when they don’t look dirty.

Address messes as they happen to prevent buildup.

Use daily or weekly cleaners suited for frequent use.

Create a routine that fits your space and traffic level.

Pro Tip: A clean environment doesn’t just support physical health; it can also reduce stress and anxiety. Keeping your space tidy creates a sense of calm and control, which can positively impact overall well-being.

By following a consistent routine of deep cleaning, disinfecting, and maintaining, you can take a more proactive approach to protecting your space during cold and flu season. These three steps work together to reduce the spread of germs and help create a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone.

Start putting this approach into action with the right cleaning solutions from Zep and build habits that work all season long. Explore our full line of cleaning and disinfecting products to find the right solutions for your space.