Winter and flu season go hand in hand, bringing sniffles, coughs, and sick days in their wake. Since the pandemic, most of us are more mindful about hygiene because we’ve seen just how easily illness can move through a shared space.
That shift has raised the bar because people now expect cleaner, safer environments from the places they visit and where they work and eat.
And as more employees return to the office full time, businesses are facing a double-edged sword: shared spaces are busier, and expectations around cleanliness are higher, notes marketing manager at Unilever Professional, Jeffrey Madkins.
All it takes is one unfiltered cough or sneeze during a team meeting to send productivity plummeting and half the team home.
As flu strains get stronger, your cleaning routine needs to work smarter
Flu strains are evolving rapidly, and so are the risks. Public health data shows an increase in both severity of illness and hospitalisation rates. For businesses, this translates directly into higher absenteeism, reduced productivity, and operational disruptions.
“That means your usual cleaning schedule simply isn’t enough anymore,” says Madkins. “The stakes are higher. Businesses need smarter, longer-lasting hygiene strategies that actively reduce risk and create safer shared environments.”
Probiotic cleaning technology is answering that call. Unlike traditional disinfectants that stop working as soon as they dry, probiotic cleaners remain active for up to 72 hours after application, continuously breaking down biofilm and preventing pathogen build-up.
“This isn’t just a surface-level improvement; it’s a strategic hygiene upgrade that supports business continuity. You’re not just cleaning; you’re investing in workplace resilience,” adds Madkins.
Benefits of probiotic cleaning
- Health impact: Extended microbial protection means fewer sick days and reduced downtime.
- Operational efficiency: Longer-lasting cleaning reduces the need for frequent reapplication, saving time and labour.
- Sustainability win: Probiotic cleaning products are made with biodegradable ingredients that naturally break down over time.
The formulation decomposes into harmless substances like carbon dioxide, water, and organic matter, posing no long-term risk to the environment.
In a season of rising risk, switching to a smarter hygiene solution is no longer optional, it’s essential
How do probiotic cleaners work? “Products like Handy Andy Probiotic Multi-Surface Cleaner contain live ‘good bacteria’ that break down dirt, grime, germs, and odours at a microscopic level,” explains Madkins.
“By harnessing nature’s power, a living barrier of beneficial microbes is created.”
Once applied, these tiny microbes digest organic matter and outcompete harmful bacteria, creating a self-sustaining cleaning cycle that keeps working long after you’ve wiped.
Think of them as microscopic ‘security guards’, preventing recontamination and helping to stop germs before they can gain a foothold. Perfect for professional use in high-traffic areas.
This extended protection, especially crucial during the annual flu uptick, helps reduce the risk of recontamination between cleans on high-touch spots like hot desks, bathroom surfaces, door handles, lift buttons, light switches, and coffee stations – prime places for germ transmission.
By reducing the need for frequent reapplication and helping to prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria, probiotic cleaners offer a smarter, longer-lasting way to help stave off those dreaded seasonal bugs.
As South Africa braces for a severe flu season, with infection rates already higher than average, according to the NICD, businesses are under pressure to maintain safer, more hygienic environments.
“Beyond cleanliness, they offer real business value,” states Madkins. “Their natural, biodegradable formula means they’re gentle on surfaces and help reduce reliance on harsh chemicals, making them a win for both sustainability targets and everyday workplace safety.”
“We’re not just cleaning surfaces anymore, we’re setting a healthier standard for hygiene by supplementing traditional cleaning to create truly healthy environments.”
“Probiotic cleaning represents an investment in people’s wellbeing, operational resilience, and sustainability all at once. It’s not just smarter cleaning, it’s smarter business,” concludes Madkins.
