Your front desk is the first point of contact for visitors, employees, and deliveries—making it one of the most touched and germ-prone areas in your office. During flu season, this high-traffic space becomes a hotspot for bacteria and viruses, increasing the risk of illness spreading throughout your workplace.
The good news? With the right cleaning practices, you can keep your reception area flu-free, creating a safer and healthier environment for everyone. In this guide, we’ll cover the top germ hotspots in your reception area, how often to disinfect them, and the best cleaning solutions to ensure maximum protection.
1. The Top Germ Hotspots in Reception Areas
Flu season demands extra attention to the surfaces and objects in your reception area that multiple people touch throughout the day. These common germ hotspots require frequent disinfection:
High-Touch Surfaces in the Reception Area:
✔ Front Desk Counters: Where visitors sign in, employees interact, and deliveries are placed—one of the dirtiest spots in any office.
✔ Pens and Clipboards: Shared writing tools are rarely cleaned but are handled by dozens of people every day.
✔ Sign-in Tablets and Keypads: Digital check-ins are convenient, but they accumulate germs from every user.
✔ Doorknobs and Handles: The main entry point for employees, guests, and delivery personnel, making them a prime germ transfer point.
✔ Waiting Area Chairs and Tables: Guests and employees frequently touch armrests and tabletops while waiting.
✔ Credit Card Machines and Payment Terminals: Constantly handled by customers and employees, these require frequent disinfection.
✔ Phones and Office Equipment: Receptionists handle calls, printers, and keyboards that collect bacteria throughout the day.
Keeping these areas clean is essential in preventing flu viruses from spreading within your workspace.
2. How Often Should You Disinfect Your Front Desk?
Flu viruses can survive on surfaces for hours or even days, making regular disinfection key to minimizing the risk of illness. Here's a practical cleaning schedule to keep your reception area flu-free:
Daily Cleaning Schedule for Reception Areas
🕘 Morning: Disinfect high-touch surfaces like counters, phones, and sign-in stations before the workday begins.
🕒 Mid-Day Touch-Ups: Wipe down shared items like pens, payment terminals, and doorknobs at least once during peak hours.
🕕 End-of-Day Deep Clean: Sanitize all high-touch surfaces, including chairs and waiting area tables, to prepare for the next day.
For offices with high visitor traffic, cleaning every 1-2 hours is ideal to keep bacteria and viruses at bay.
3. The Best Cleaning Solutions for High-Traffic Desks
Not all disinfecting products are created equal. Many office cleaners contain harsh chemicals like alcohol or bleach, which can:
❌ Damage surfaces over time, especially on electronics and wood.
❌ Produce strong odors that make the front desk area unpleasant for visitors and employees.
❌ Cause skin irritation, particularly for receptionists who frequently interact with the desk area.
Why Choose Alcohol-Free Disinfecting Wipes?
SONO alcohol-free disinfecting wipes provide powerful germ-killing action while being safe for office environments. Here’s why they’re the best choice for your front desk:
✔ Kills 99.9% of Germs: Effectively eliminates flu viruses and bacteria without the need for harsh chemicals.
✔ Safe for Surfaces: Gentle on wood, plastic, metal, and electronics—perfect for all front desk materials.
✔ No Harsh Odors: Creates a welcoming, fresh-smelling environment without chemical fumes.
✔ Quick and Convenient: Pre-moistened wipes allow for fast, hassle-free cleaning throughout the day.
How to Use SONO Disinfecting Wipes for Best Results:
1️⃣ Wipe down high-touch surfaces (counters, phones, clipboards) frequently throughout the day.
2️⃣ Allow surfaces to air dry for full disinfecting power—no need for additional rinsing.
3️⃣ Store wipes within reach at the reception desk for easy access by staff.
4. Setting Up a Cleaning Station for Your Reception Area
To maintain a flu-free workspace, make cleaning effortless by setting up a designated sanitizing station near the front desk.
What to Include in Your Reception Cleaning Station:
✅ SONO Disinfecting Wipes: For fast, effective cleaning of high-touch surfaces.
✅ Hand Sanitizer: Encourage employees and visitors to sanitize upon entry.
✅ Disposable Pens: Minimize germ spread by offering a “clean” and “used” pen section.
✅ Tissues and Trash Bin: Reduce the spread of germs from coughing or sneezing guests.
A well-equipped sanitizing station ensures cleaning is consistent and convenient for your team.
Final Thoughts: Keep Your Front Desk Flu-Free All Season
Your front desk is the first line of defense against flu season. With high visitor traffic and frequent interactions, keeping this area clean is essential to protect employees, customers, and guests from the spread of illness.
By regularly disinfecting high-touch surfaces, using SONO alcohol-free disinfecting wipes, and setting up a designated cleaning station, you can maintain a safer, healthier workplace throughout flu season.
Don’t wait until flu season is in full swing—take action today and ensure your reception area is prepared.