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Bust out the dust and germ fighting tools because "National Clean Your Desk Day" takes place Jan. 13, according to National Today. Cleaning high-touch points, such as desks and other commonly used surfaces, is essential to support infection prevention and control, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) asserts. According to the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF), attending to these surfaces—by routinely cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing—allows frontline staff to effectively target harmful pathogens.

A study by the Journal of Clinical Microbiology determined that over 80 percent of infections are transferred through surface contact, Lunar Cleaning reports. Pathogens can survive on select surfaces for extended periods—like influenza, which can live on plastic and stainless-steel materials for 24 to 48 hours, E2E Cleaning Services states. The variability of viruses and other infectious diseases suggests facilities may need to apply different protocols to diverse environments.

When addressing high-touch surfaces, frequency is a crucial component. Summit Janitorial clarifies that cleaning protocols should be based on the traffic in an area, as well as how often a surface is utilized throughout the day. Ensuring the right products are used, such as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectants, and applying them according to the manufacturer's guidelines will aid in overall cleaning efficacy, CleanLink adds. Also, Lawton Bros Inc. says training employees on touchpoint cleaning and providing checkpoints to review the system in place will reinforce proper procedures that safeguard everyone involved.