Summer is here, school is out, and it's time to deep clean the classrooms!
Summer School Cleaning Tasks and Checklist
Summer vacation is upon us and now is the perfect time for school administrators, instructors, and custodial staff to take advantage of the empty facilities to deep clean classrooms, cafeterias, gyms, and lunchrooms.
Given the ongoing scientific studies establishing the correlation between chemical cleaning products and the onset of asthma in children, as well as the negative impact they have on student health and performance, now is also the perfect time to assess and upgrade your current cleaning products and practices to greener, safer for use products and practices.
A cursory review of the custodial closet will likely display unlaundered cotton-string mops, hazardous chemicals, filthy mop buckets, and used cleaning rags that are well past their prime.
Upgrading these products prior to beginning your deep cleaning routine will improve the efficacy of the program, reduce the amount of time and cost required to complete the various tasks, and ensure your students and staff return to a safer and healthier learning environment in the Fall.
Classroom Summer Cleaning Checklist
The classrooms are probably the most important area to focus on, given their level of occupancy and use.
- Start by emptying out the classroom of all desks, chairs, and tables, as well as clearing out all storage closets.
- Remove and clean all light fixtures.
- Clean the vents; or better yet, service the entire air duct system and install HEPA filters.
- Dust, starting with the highest point in the room and work your way down.
- Clean the windows inside and out.
- Wipe down the inside and outside of all storage closets.
- Wipe down and disinfect all walls, counters, tables, and chairs, especially classroom sinks and faucets.
- Sweep, scrub and refinish tile and hard floors, and deep clean all carpets.
- Replace or service walkway mats.
- If possible, replace liquid or powder soap dispensers with packet-loading foaming systems.
- Wipe down and disinfect all computer equipment and telephones.
School Cafeteria & Lunchroom Summer Cleaning Checklist
The places where we prepare and consume food have a higher chance of transmitting germs than other locations.
Follow the same guidelines established for classroom cleaning, as well as:
- Deep clean all food prep equipment, including friers and ovens.
- Additionally, deep clean all sinks and dishwashing equipment.
- Empty out and deep clean food storage areas, purging it of any questionable or expired items.
- Service any drainage pipes or systems, including garbage disposals to remove built-up food waste and bacteria.
School Gym & Locker Room Summer Cleaning Checklist
The school gym and locker room are likely covered in germs and bacteria, especially wrestling mats, gym floors, locker room showers, and the lockers, in general.
Much of the equipment, especially basketball/volleyball court floors, will require specialized care, and should not be undertaken by inexperienced staff.
While it may be tempting to douse the locker rooms, lockers, and showers in bleach (or perhaps cleanse them with fire), a safer, more cost-effective method--electrostatic disinfecting--can significantly reduce the amount of time and labor required to fully disinfect these difficult to sanitize facilities.
- Scrub the walls, lockers (inside and out), showers, and restrooms, top to bottom prior to disinfecting.
- Ensure the areas are properly ventilated, and employ the use of fans to improve ventilation, as necessary.
Green Cleaning Tips for a Successful Summer School Cleaning Program
As discussed previously, the implementation of electrostatic disinfection appliances can significantly improve the efficacy of your cleaning program, as well as reduce the time and labor required to complete sanitation tasks.
Microfiber towels and mop heads are more efficient than cotton or cloth alternatives and require less water and fewer chemicals to clean comparable square footage.
Color coding the microfiber and assigning a color to each surface will reduce the potential for cross-contamination.
Combining the color-coded microfiber with the two-bucket cleaning method will virtually eliminate the possibility of cross-contamination.
Switching to certified green or safer for use products will ensure the students return to a healthier more productive learning environment.
Servicing the air ducts and improving temperature controls and ventilation will help improve the indoor air quality and reduce student absences, promote higher cognitive and creative functions, and reduce the likelihood that young students acquire lifelong asthma issues from their classroom.
Takeaway
Now is the perfect time to take advantage of the absence of students to get a head start on a healthier school year in the Fall.
Additionally, now would be a great time to review how your school cleans its classrooms and other facilities, and how that impacts the health and well-being of the students and staff, especially in light of recent news regarding several school districts and their unacceptable level of financial waste and general disregard for the welfare of their charges.
Augmenting your custodial staff's duties by outsourcing advanced cleaning, disinfecting needs, and specialized cleaning or equipment used by outsourcing to a local, reputable provider is an excellent method for cost-effectively accomplishing all of your summer school cleaning needs.
If you would like to learn more about the advantages to outsourcing specialized and deep cleaning services for your school–contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
