Very soon, students all over the country will be grabbing their backpacks and heading back to school — a place that should be clean and safe for everyone who steps inside. But, for that to be true, there are special precautions to take and important factors to consider when cleaning in schools.
School cleaning services are in charge of creating and maintaining a clean environment for children and staff. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education, Skills and Employment laid out specific cleaning standards and guidelines for health and safety protocols, which are still a great resource for custodial staff who work within a school building.
Let’s take a closer look at what tools and techniques you need to provide kids with the safe learning space they deserve.
School cleaning: What to know before starting
Educational facilities get messy very quickly for elementary schools, high schools and colleges alike. That’s why it’s, first and foremost, vital to understand the difference between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitising (because all are essential, but play different roles in the daily cleaning process).
You’ll go through each of these cleansing steps throughout your school cleaning checklist, making each extremely important for completely killing germs and stopping the spread of illnesses.
For educational spaces, you’ll be dealing with many surfaces, including carpet, tiled flooring, desks, counters, door knobs, trash receptacles, whiteboards and chairs. Children might also get sick, meaning cleaners will have to disinfect bodily fluids from floors and surfaces. To thoroughly clean a school, you’ll need high-quality tools at your disposal. Keep reading to learn what equipment to have by your side.
What tools should you assemble for school cleaning?
Before you step foot inside the school, ensure you have the proper tools to use. Here are the main cleaning products you’ll use for routine deep cleaning:
Once you have the necessary cleaning supplies, you can start using them. Learn and master the art of cleaning in schools with helpful tips for the best possible disinfecting process.
Cleaning techniques to implement
For any area of the school, whether it be a classroom, lunch room, gym or auditorium, high-quality cleaning tools must be paired with proper cleaning techniques to be truly effective. Use the following sanitising styles to keep the educational spaces in tip-top shape.
Cleaning the floors
Most schools have both carpeted and tiled floors, so cleaning for both is necessary. For carpet cleaning, use an industrial-strength vacuum and begin by using overlapping strokes until the entire room is done. Use vacuum accessories for hard-to-reach areas, and apply spot cleaner directly to any stains.
Tiled floor cleaning should start with sweeping for any dirt and debris, then be followed by a dust mop from the entrance door and working backward through the room. After dusting, use a clean wet mop and diluted floor cleaning solution to wipe in a figure-8 motion to prevent cross-contamination of cleaned surfaces.
Cleaning surfaces
Use a spray bottle of disinfectant and a damp microfibre cloth to disinfect every desk, table, chair and other surface. Pay extra attention to any high-touch areas like armrests, door handles and light switches. Ensure you only wipe with a clean cloth and avoid cross-contamination by wiping in a figure 8 motion. After sanitising each classroom area, polish all metal fixtures with blue glass cloth and cleaner.
Waste disposal
On a daily basis, dispose of waste and recycling in designated areas. After getting rid of the full bags, put a new liner bag in the trash receptacle and disinfect the entire area with cleaning chemicals or disinfecting wipes, including the floor around the rubbish bin.
Why a clean school is vital as students return to the classroom
As parents send their children back to school, they expect them to be in a clean and safe environment. In general, a disinfected environment leads to better health and hygiene, which means fewer sick days for both students and school staff. With higher attendance often comes better classroom involvement, higher grades and more successful graduation rates. On top of better student performance, a clean educational facility can also lead to improved mental health. According to Very Well Mind, a sanitised area can enhance focus and decrease distractions.
Enhanced cleaning in schools is an essential part of student success, so ensure you have the best of the best when it comes to tools and techniques. Shop Rubbermaid Commercial cleaning equipment backed by extensive science and research, and start seeing a difference in your disinfecting processes.
