What Is High-Touch Point Disinfecting in Commercial Facilities?
Maintaining a clean commercial facility goes beyond visible cleanliness. One of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of illness in offices, schools, medical buildings, and public spaces is through high-touch point disinfecting. These frequently used surfaces can harbor germs and bacteria for hours, or even days, if not properly sanitized.
This guide explains what high-touch surfaces are, why they matter, and how targeted disinfecting plays a critical role in protecting employee and visitor health.
What Are High-Touch Points?
High-touch points are surfaces that multiple people touch frequently throughout the day. Because of constant contact, these areas are more likely to collect and spread germs.
Common high-touch surfaces in commercial facilities include:
- Door handles and push plates
- Light switches and elevator buttons
- Handrails and stair railings
- Shared office equipment (phones, printers, keyboards)
- Breakroom appliances and countertops
- Restroom fixtures such as faucets, flush handles, and stall latches
- Reception desks and waiting area furniture
Without routine disinfecting, these surfaces can quickly become a major source of cross-contamination.
Why High-Touch Surface Disinfecting Is Essential
Standard cleaning removes visible dirt and debris, but it does not always eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses. High-touch point disinfecting specifically targets microorganisms that contribute to illness spread in commercial environments.
Benefits of routine high-touch disinfecting include:
- Reduced transmission of colds, flu, and viruses
- Fewer employee sick days
- Improved workplace hygiene and safety
- Increased confidence for clients and visitors
- Support for health and safety compliance
In shared workspaces, even a single contaminated surface can impact dozens of people in one day.
Cleaning vs. Disinfecting: Understanding the Difference
While often used interchangeably, cleaning and disinfecting serve different purposes:
- Cleaning removes dust, dirt, and debris from surfaces
- Disinfecting kills or neutralizes germs and bacteria
High-touch surfaces should always be cleaned first, then disinfected using professional-grade products. This two-step approach ensures disinfectants can work effectively and reach harmful microorganisms.
Best Practices for High-Touch Point Disinfecting
Professional commercial disinfecting follows proven best practices to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Targeted Surface Focus
High-touch areas should be disinfected more frequently than low-contact surfaces. In many facilities, this means daily or multiple times per day, depending on traffic.
Use of EPA-Approved Disinfectants
Commercial janitorial services use EPA-approved disinfectants that are proven effective against bacteria and viruses while remaining safe when used correctly.
Proper Dwell Time
Disinfectants must remain on surfaces for a specified dwell time to effectively kill germs. Rushing this step reduces effectiveness.
Consistent Scheduling
Routine and consistent disinfecting schedules prevent germ buildup and ensure ongoing protection, especially during cold and flu season.
High-Touch Disinfecting by Facility Type
Different commercial environments have different disinfecting needs:
- Office buildings: Focus on workstations, conference rooms, breakrooms, and shared equipment
- Medical facilities: Require frequent disinfecting of all high-touch points throughout the day
- Educational facilities: Emphasize desks, railings, door handles, and restrooms
- Retail and public spaces: Prioritize entrances, checkout areas, and customer-facing surfaces
A customized disinfecting plan ensures high-risk areas receive proper attention.
Creating a High-Touch Disinfecting Plan
A professional janitorial company will assess your facility layout, traffic patterns, and business type to identify critical touchpoints. Services may include:
- Daily or enhanced disinfecting services
- Focused attention on shared and public areas
- Integration with routine commercial cleaning
- Seasonal or outbreak-response disinfecting
First Choice Janitorial Services provides customized high-touch point disinfecting programs designed to support healthier commercial environments.
Contact Us for Professional Disinfecting Services
Protecting your employees and visitors starts with proper disinfecting. First Choice Janitorial Services offers reliable high-touch surface disinfecting services for commercial facilities of all sizes.
Contact us today to request a free consultation and learn how targeted disinfecting can help reduce illness spread and improve workplace safety.