Top 5 Germ Hotspots on Campus and How to Keep Them Clean

A bustling campus is full of life, learning, and socializing—but it’s also full of germs. From fitness centers to dorm rooms, shared spaces and surfaces can harbor bacteria and viruses that spread illnesses like the flu, strep throat, and stomach bugs. The good news? With proper hygiene practices and routine disinfecting, campuses can remain safe and healthy for everyone.

Here are the five places most prone to germs on college campuses and actionable tips to combat contamination:

1. Fitness Centers, Gyms, and Recreation Centers

Campus fitness centers are popular destinations for students, faculty, and even community members. Unfortunately, these spaces are high-risk for germ transmission. Bacteria and viruses thrive on shared surfaces like exercise equipment, weight benches, locker room handles, and mats.

How to Keep Fitness Areas Clean:

• Provide 2XL FORCE2® Disinfecting Wipes near all workout equipment so users can wipe down surfaces before and after use.
• Clean high-touch areas, including handles, benches, and locker room surfaces, multiple times per day.
• Deep clean floors and mats regularly, especially in group fitness rooms.

2. Cafeterias and Eating Areas

Cafeterias are social hubs where students and staff gather, but shared trays, tables, and chairs can quickly spread germs. Foodborne illnesses, including E. coli and norovirus, are also common risks in these settings.

How to Reduce Germs in Eating Spaces:

• Disinfect tables, chairs, and serving stations frequently using disinfecting towelettes.
• Encourage students and staff to sanitize their hands before meals by providing Hand Sanitizing Towelettes at entrances and near food counters.
• Follow strict food safety protocols to prevent cross-contamination and foodborne illnesses.

Photo by Google Images

3. Classrooms and Lecture Halls

Classrooms are the heart of any campus, used for lectures, study groups, and meetings. However, shared desks, chairs, and electronics like projectors or clickers create hotspots for germs.

How to Maintain Classroom Hygiene:

• Disinfect desks, chairs, and podiums daily.
• Place sanitizing wipes in classrooms so students and instructors can clean shared electronics like keyboards and remote controls.
• Remind students and staff to wash or sanitize their hands regularly, especially before and after using shared materials.

4. Computer Labs

Computer labs are essential for academic work, but keyboards, mice, and monitors are some of the dirtiest surfaces on campus. Research shows that the average keyboard has more bacteria than a toilet seat!

How to Clean Computer Labs Effectively:

• Provide 2XL Disinfecting Wipes at each workstation for users to clean keyboards, mice, and touchscreens before and after use.
• Disinfect shared surfaces like desks and chairs daily.
• Encourage proper hand hygiene by installing hand sanitizer dispensers near the entrance.

 

5. Dorm Rooms

Dorm rooms might seem like personal spaces, but they can harbor germs from shared bathrooms, communal lounges, and visitors. Items like door handles, light switches, and desks are especially prone to contamination.

How to Keep Dorms Healthy:

• Encourage students to disinfect high-touch surfaces in their rooms weekly.
• Clean communal bathrooms and lounges daily with EPA-registered disinfectants.
• Remind students to avoid sharing personal items like towels, water bottles, and utensils.

How to Combat Germs Campus-Wide

Maintaining a clean campus requires more than surface-level tidying. Effective protocols for cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting can stop germs from spreading.

Steps for a Healthier Campus:

1. Develop a Routine Cleaning Plan: High-traffic areas like classrooms, gyms, and dining halls should be cleaned and disinfected daily.
2. Stock Up on Supplies: Provide easy access to products like 2XL FORCE2 Disinfecting Wipes and 2XL Hand Sanitizing Wipes across campus.
3. Promote Hand Hygiene: Install hand sanitizer dispensers in common areas and encourage regular handwashing with soap and water.
4. Respond to Outbreaks Quickly: Deep clean any areas affected by known illnesses, such as flu or norovirus.

Quick Recap

Top 5 Germ Hotspots on Campus:

1. Fitness Centers, Gyms, and Recreation Centers
2. Cafeterias and Eating Areas
3. Classrooms and Lecture Halls
4. Computer Labs
5. Dorm Rooms

Key Actions:

• Use 2XL Disinfecting Wipes for fast and effective surface cleaning.
• Provide hand sanitizing options like 2XL Hand Sanitizing Wipes to encourage good hygiene.
• Develop and follow cleaning protocols to keep students and staff safe and healthy.

A cleaner campus fosters a healthier environment, enabling everyone to focus on learning, growing, and thriving.