School Cleaning Guidelines

COVID has heightened the need for a clean, safe, and sanitary school environment. Clean buildings are an important part of students’ health and well-being. These guidelines contained in this article are based upon recommendations from the CDC, Service Master Clean, and Commercial Cleaning Corp, all of which are leaders in the industry of cleaning and the fight against germs. Read on for important school cleaning tips.

COVID-19 and When Someone Is Sick

Encourage your students to wash their hands well and often. Ensure that soap dispensers are well-stocked throughout the building and use disinfectants to remove germs from surfaces. Cleaning and disinfecting your facility will reduce the risk of spreading infection, so do it often and safely.

If any of these conditions apply, clean more frequently and disinfect surfaces and objects:

• High transmission of COVID-19 in your area
• The area is occupied by those at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19
• Few people wearing masks, improper mask usage
• Infrequent hand hygiene

If someone is sick with COVID-19 or someone who has it has been in your school in the last 24 hours, clean and disinfect your facility.

Take Caution While Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility

• Read and follow the directions on your disinfectants
• Ventilate the area and don’t use disinfectants near children
• Follow standard practices and regulations specific to your school
  

Know The Difference between Cleaning and Disinfecting

• Cleaning is the physical removal of dirt, germs, and impurities by using soap and water.
• Cleaning does not kill germs - it removes them and lowers their numbers and risk of spreading infection.
• Disinfecting kills germs via the use of chemicals.
• Disinfecting doesn’t clean dirty surfaces or remove germs but can lower the risk of infection by killing germs on a surface after cleaning.
• Every indoor surface should be cleaned with soap and water, but not every surface needs to be disinfected every time it is cleaned.
• Prioritize disinfecting surfaces that ill people have touched and areas that are routinely touched or shared.

Disinfect Desks and Shared Surfaces

• Students spend most of their time at desks and using shared surfaces like countertops, so these are some of the dirtiest classroom surfaces.
• Classrooms that have shared keyboards or other technology should be cleaned thoroughly (keyboards harbor nearly 20,000 times more bacteria than a public toilet seat).
• Wipe down desks and countertops with a clean towel and non-toxic disinfectants.
• Unplug keyboards and spray between the keys with compressed air to dislodge crumbs, dust, and debris.
• Use a cotton swab or towel with a small amount of rubbing alcohol to clean individual keys.
  

Dust Cabinets and Bookshelves

• Dust bookshelves and seldom-used cabinet tops with a microfiber cloth or moist towel to trap the dust rather than reintroducing it to the air.
• Dust that is knocked free will be vacuumed up in the next step.
  

Vacuum Carpeted Floors and Mop Laminate Floors

• Since carpets can hold 4 times their weight in dirt, vacuuming is extremely important.
• Open windows before vacuuming, since vacuuming can kick up dirt and pollen.
• Run the vacuum in vertical rows, twice, to remove deep-seated dirt and pollen.
• Deep clean stained surfaces using an EPA-approved stain remover.
• For laminate floors, mix equal parts water and non-toxic floor cleaner.
• Sweep hard floors (laminate, wood, vinyl).
• Mop back and forth starting from one corner to the opposite corner.
• Allow the floor to dry and reassess.
• Clean stubborn grime that didn’t come out with the first mopping.
• For stubborn stains, mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Dampen a clean mop and mop the stain or dirt vigorously.
  

Empty Trash and Clean Bathrooms and Sinks

• Trash bins including those around the teachers’ desks and general ones used by students should be emptied periodically.
• If a classroom has a sink or washbasin, use non-toxic disinfectant and a moist towel or rag to give it a good wipe down daily.
• Dry the sink afterward to prevent mold and mildew buildup.
• Wipe down stall doors, toilets, toilet paper holders, and toilet handles with an all-purpose cleaner.
• Wipe down bathroom sinks and mirrors with an all-purpose cleaner, focusing on the faucet handles.
• Wipe down walls, doors, and door handles.
• Ensure that the plumbing and drains are working properly.
  

Disinfect Doorknobs and Handles

• Disinfect doorknobs and handles with prepackaged wipes or non-toxic disinfectant spray and a dry towel at the end of every day.
• Encourage students and staff to wash their hands thoroughly to decrease the number of bacteria and viruses on doorknobs and handles.

Wash Recreational Equipment

• Spray or power wash outdoor recreational equipment like playgrounds.
• Wash indoor recreational equipment with an all-purpose cleaner.
• Wipe down often-used athletic gear (like basketballs, etc.) to eliminate germs.
  

Exterior Cleaning

• Power wash dirty structures, including the school’s exterior walls, signs, and sidewalks.
• Inspect the exterior lighting to ensure it’s functioning properly. Replace bulbs that aren’t working properly.

Wipe down Walls and Windows

• Use a microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner or glass cleaner to wash walls and windows to eliminate dirt, dust, and allergens.
• Wipe down lockers and cubbies with an all-purpose cleaner.
  

Dust and Replace Interior Lighting

• Check the lighting in each classroom, hallway, and office.
• Remove the cover or shades on fixtures to wipe away dust and debris
• Ensure that all light fixtures have functioning bulbs. Replace those that aren’t working.
  

Consult a Commercial Cleaning Corporation

If you’ve followed the above steps and still feel that your facility isn’t as clean as it should be, contact a commercial cleaning corporation about their classroom deep cleaning services. Both Commercial Cleaning Corp and Service Master Clean are good choices if you want to give your students the cleanest learning environment possible. The next time you’re looking for a commercial vacuum, backpack vacuum, or deep cleaner, we hope you’ll think of us!

One more thing: if no one has told you lately, thanks for doing your part to ensure the safety and health of your students and staff. Custodians are unsung heroes too, and we appreciate your diligence in taking care of those around you by caring for your buildings.