The Science Behind Surface Cleaning and Disinfection: Practical Tips for 2025

This blog post is inspired by insights from the AIHA’s Indoor Environmental Quality Committee. Their expertise has guided the practical tips and science-based strategies shared here to help workplaces and communities create safer environments. Learn more about their work at AIHA’s Indoor Environmental Quality Committee.

Maria is an office manager who starts every morning by wiping down desks, door handles, and shared keyboards. For her, it’s a small, routine task. But over time, Maria notices something remarkable: fewer coworkers are calling in sick, parents on her team aren’t worried about bringing home germs to their kids, and the office feels healthier overall.

Maria’s story shows the power of surface disinfection—not just as a cleaning task but as a way to protect lives.

For 2025, Commit to C.A.R.E. is here to help you create safer, healthier spaces with practical disinfection habits rooted in science. Let’s break it down.

 

What Is Surface Disinfection, and Why Should You C.A.R.E?

 

Every surface has a story. High-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, desks, and phones may look clean, but invisible germs like viruses and bacteria can linger for hours or even days. These surfaces, called fomites, can be hotspots for disease transmission.

Let’s explore the journey of an infectious germ:

• A person sneezes into their hand and grabs a doorknob.
• The germs transfer to the doorknob.
• Hours later, someone else touches the same doorknob and then their face.

And just like that, an illness can spread.

Routine cleaning and surface disinfection are steps that can help prevent this chain of transmission. It’s not just about appearances—it’s about protecting the health of everyone in your space.

 

How to Properly Disinfect Surfaces

 

Effective cleaning and disinfection isn’t complicated, but it does require the right approach to be effective and to protect yourself. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Start with Cleaning:
   • Use soap and water or a general-purpose cleaner to remove dirt, dust, and debris. This step is critical because disinfectants are less effective on dirty surfaces. Follow the instructions on the label to understand there can be hazards when using cleaning and disinfection products. Consider the best time to clean and disinfect; some people can be sensitive to cleaning and disinfecting products. 
2. Apply the Disinfectant:
   • Choose an EPA-approved disinfectant appropriate for your setting, and always follow the label instructions. Remember to wear any necessary protective equipment, such as gloves, to ensure safe handling of cleaning and disinfection products.
   • Apply the product according to the label instructions, ensuring proper application for effective disinfection.
   • Applying liquid products to a rag first (rather than spraying onto a surface)  can reduce the amount of product getting into the air; some cleaning and disinfecting products are strong irritants.     
3. Follow Dwell (contact time) Time:
   • Let the disinfectant sit on the surface for the time specified on the label (usually 2–10 minutes). This step helps to ensure germs are effectively killed.
   • The surface must stay wet for the entire dwell time.
4. Wipe or Air Dry:
   • After the dwell time, wipe the surface with a clean cloth or let it air dry, depending on the product instructions.
5. Wash Your Hands:
   • Once you’re done, remove your gloves if used and wash your hands thoroughly to avoid spreading germs further.

 

What Surfaces Are You Forgetting?

 

Many surfaces are obvious, like desks, doorknobs, and light switches. But others often get overlooked. Have you thought about these?

• Chair arms and backs.
• Drawer and cabinet handles.
• Rails in stairwells 
• Elevator buttons.
• Shared electronics like keyboards, phones, and remote controls.

These and many other areas are touched countless times a day, yet they can be easy to miss during cleaning routines unless there are procedures that list and describe where and how to clean and disinfect. 

Actionable Tip: Create a checklist of all high-touch surfaces in your space. Walk through the area with your team to identify anything you might have missed.

 

The Hidden Hero of Disinfection: Dwell (or Contact) Time

 

One of the most overlooked parts of effective disinfection is dwell time—the amount of time a disinfectant must stay wet on a surface to kill germs.

How to Get Dwell Time Right:

1. Read the Label: Every disinfectant specifies how long it needs to stay wet.
2. Apply Generously: Use enough disinfectant to keep the surface visibly wet for the required time. But be careful!  Using too much can result in vapors being emitted into the air which can affect you or others in the area.   
3. Be Patient: Resist the urge to wipe it dry too soon.

Did You Know? Germs like norovirus and SARS CoV-2 (causes COVID-19 disease) can survive on some hard surfaces for days if not properly disinfected.

 

Building Good Habits in 2025

 

Consistency is the foundation of effective disinfection. Here’s how to make it part of your routine:

1. Set a Schedule: Decide how often high-touch areas need to be cleaned/disinfected based on how frequently they’re used.
2. Train Your Team: Teach everyone how to clean and disinfect safely and properly, emphasizing the difference between cleaning and disinfecting but especially on safe use of the products and using appropriate personal protective equipment when necessary according to training and label instructions. 
3. Stock the Right Supplies: Ensure you have EPA-approved disinfectants, proper cleaning tools, and protective equipment (appropriate clothing, nitrile or latex gloves, and eye protection if needed).
4. Evaluate and Improve: Periodically review your cleaning and disinfection routines and make adjustments as needed.

 

The Bigger Picture: Protecting Your Community

 

When high touch surfaces are  cleaned  and disinfected regularly, that practice can have a ripple effect (for good!). By reducing germs in your workplace, you’re not just protecting your team—you’re also helping their families, schools, and communities stay healthy because workplace health and safety is a part of public health. 

 

Take the Next Step: Partner with Commit to C.A.R.E.

 

Maria’s daily habit started small but grew into a healthier workplace for everyone. You can do the same by committing to consistent, science-based disinfection practices.

 

Ready to make 2025 your safest year yet? Partner with Commit to C.A.R.E. today: https://commit2care.org/partners/