I’ve gotten this call more times than I can count:

“The flu has been running through our office. Should we have it sanitized or disinfected? What’s the difference? Is disinfection better? And should we call a company like Stat Sanitizing, or just have our cleaning crew handle it?”

If this sounds like your situation, you’re not alone. Every flu season, offices get hit hard. One person comes in sick, touches a few shared surfaces, and within days half the team is out.

Let’s break this down in plain terms — no technical jargon, no overcomplicating it.

First: What’s the Difference Between Sanitizing and Disinfecting?

People use these words interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing.

Sanitizing

Sanitizing reduces germs to what’s considered a “safe level.” It lowers the amount of bacteria and some viruses on surfaces. It’s great for routine cleaning and general upkeep.

Think of sanitizing as maintenance mode. It keeps things under control when there isn’t a major issue.

It’s common in:

• Restaurants
• Schools
• Daycares
• Everyday office cleaning

But here’s the key — sanitizing reduces germs. It doesn’t necessarily eliminate viruses like influenza during an active outbreak.

Disinfecting

Disinfecting is stronger and more targeted. It uses EPA-registered disinfectants specifically designed to kill viruses and bacteria — including the flu virus.

Disinfection is what you do when illness is already spreading.

It’s not just wiping things down. It involves:

• Using the correct products
• Following proper dwell time (letting surfaces stay wet long enough to actually kill the virus)
• Targeting high-touch areas thoroughly

When the flu is actively moving through your office, disinfection is usually the right move.

Why the Flu Spreads So Easily in Offices

Offices are perfect environments for viruses.

• Shared spaces
• Shared equipment
• Shared breakrooms
• Closed air circulation
• People who “don’t feel that bad” but come in anyway

The flu virus can live on surfaces like desks, phones, keyboards, and door handles for up to 24–48 hours depending on conditions.

That means:

• One sick employee touches a door handle.
• Three coworkers touch it after them.
• Those three go back to their desks and touch their keyboards.
• And just like that, it spreads.

By the time management realizes what’s happening, multiple people are already out. This is when simple surface sanitizing often isn’t enough.

What Proper Office Disinfection Actually Looks Like

There’s a big misconception that disinfection is just “spray and wipe.” It’s not.

When we handle flu disinfection at Stat Sanitizing, we follow a structured process.

Step 1: Identify High-Touch Surfaces

These are the biggest culprits:

• Door handles and push plates
• Light switches
• Elevator buttons
• Shared desks
• Conference tables
• Keyboards and mice
• Phones
• Breakroom appliances
• Bathroom fixtures
• Chair arms

These areas are where viruses move the fastest.

Step 2: Pre-Clean If Needed

If surfaces are visibly dirty, they need to be cleaned first. Disinfectants don’t work properly through dirt and debris.

This is where regular cleaning crews do a great job — but cleaning alone doesn’t equal virus elimination.

Step 3: Apply EPA-Registered Disinfectants

We use products specifically labeled to kill influenza viruses.

This is one of the biggest mistakes I see when offices try to handle outbreak disinfection internally.

Step 4: Ensure Full Coverage

In larger offices, we may use electrostatic sprayers to evenly coat surfaces — even hard-to-reach areas. The goal isn’t just to make it look clean. The goal is to break the chain of transmission.

Should You Just Have Your Regular Cleaning Staff Handle It?

This is where I always answer honestly.

Your cleaning crew is valuable. They keep your space looking good and maintained. But most janitorial contracts are built around appearance and routine upkeep — not outbreak response.

In many cases:

• They’re not using hospital-grade disinfectants.
• They may not follow strict dwell-time protocols.
• They may not have specialized training in viral disinfection.
• They may not have the equipment needed for full coverage.

That doesn’t mean they’re not good at what they do. It just means flu outbreak response is a different level of service. When multiple employees are out sick, you’re no longer in routine cleaning mode — you’re in containment mode.

When It Makes Sense to Bring in a Professional Disinfection Company

I recommend calling a professional office disinfection service when:

• Multiple employees are out with confirmed flu.
• Illness keeps spreading week after week.
• You want to stop the cycle quickly.
• You want employees to feel confident returning to work.
• You need documentation that proper disinfection was performed.

The cost of professional commercial disinfection is almost always less than the cost of lost productivity from widespread absenteeism. If five employees are out for several days, that financial impact adds up fast.

The Business Side of a Flu Outbreak

Beyond the health concerns, there’s a business reality.

Flu outbreaks can lead to:

• Missed deadlines
• Reduced productivity
• Strain on remaining staff
• Lower morale
• Client service disruptions

And there’s another factor people don’t talk about enough — employee perception. When leadership responds quickly and takes visible action, employees notice. It sends the message that their health matters. That builds trust.

Is Sanitizing Ever Enough?

Yes — just not during an active outbreak.

Sanitizing works well:

• As part of regular maintenance
• In low-risk periods
• As preventative support during flu season

But if the flu is already moving through your office, disinfection is the stronger and more effective choice.

Think of sanitizing as prevention. Think of disinfection as intervention.

What I Recommend If the Flu Is Already in Your Office

If you’re seeing multiple cases, here’s what I suggest:

• Keep up regular cleaning and sanitizing.
• Schedule a professional disinfection service.
• Encourage sick employees to stay home.
• Increase awareness around hand hygiene and shared surface use.

The goal is simple — stop the spread before it knocks out half your team.

Final Thoughts

If you’re wondering whether to sanitize or disinfect because the flu is already affecting your office, you’re probably past the point where sanitizing alone is enough.

Disinfection is designed specifically to address active viral spread. When done correctly, it can significantly reduce the risk of continued transmission.

At Stat Sanitizing, I don’t believe in overcomplicating things or overselling services. If routine sanitizing is enough, I’ll say so. But when the flu is spreading, professional disinfection can make a real difference.