Your Practical Guide to Deep Cleaning Schools During School Holidays

After a cold and soggy winter, many schools use the spring school holidays to undertake a deep clean.

While the daily and weekly cleaning tasks are important, the rigour of an end-of-term spring clean has so many benefits that should not be overlooked.

Some of the benefits are:

• Facilitating long-term health and safety in the school

When people think about deep cleaning a school, their thoughts usually turn to Covid-19 prevention. Although the pandemic highlighted the importance of cleaning high-traffic places such as schools, there are many more contagions to be aware of. Influenza, norovirus, and RSV all have the potential to infect large numbers of people, sweeping through a school and lingering much too long. 

• Enhancing learning atmosphere

Simply put, a clean, tidy school environment helps students focus better on their studies and classroom activities. Aiming for a positive learning environment can enhance student engagement and productivity, leading to better academic outcomes and happier schools.

• Preservation and long-term protection of classroom facilities

As school budgets get tighter, the long-term protection and preservation of classroom facilities become more important. Deep cleaning of carpets, cleaning stains on walls and other prevention cleaning or maintenance will ensure for a sustainable school and less spend overtime.

• Preparation for the upcoming term

After a well-deserved break, the last thing educators want to worry about is school hygiene. Having someone else manage the prevention and protection of their classroom and school means that they can continue to focus on the most important aspect of their jobs- teaching students

Areas to consider in your deep clean (that you might not do in your regular routine)

• Desks, Chairs and Classroom Workspaces Wipe down all desks, chairs, and other furniture with disinfectant to remove germs and dirt. 

• Whiteboards and Chalkboards  Clean and sanitise boards to ensure they are ready for use. 

• Floor and Upholstery Cleaning  More than a sweep, mop, or vacuum. A deep clean should include carpet cleaning and polishing floors to not only remove stains and allergens but to preserve over time. 

• Windows and Blinds Clean windows and dust blinds to let in natural light and improve air quality. Window niche cleaning will remove grim build up and mould deposits

• High-touch Surfaces  Disinfect door handles, light switches, and other frequently touched surfaces to prevent the spread of germs.

• Lockers If applicable, clean and disinfect the inside and outside of student lockers. 

• Walls and Doors Wipe down walls and doors to remove marks and fingerprints. 

• Drinking Fountains Sanitise drinking fountains to ensure they are safe and hygienic for students to use.

• Toilets, urinals and sinks Scrub, disinfect and santise bathroom areas to prevent the spread of germs.

• Dispensers and Consumable Washroom Supplies  Clean, refill and repair soap, paper towel and toilet paper dispensers to ensure they are fully stocked.

Preparing ahead of time

Besides the task, one of the most important aspects of implementing a deep cleaning regime in your school is preparing in advance.

Why? Because it enables effective use of resources and can support the control of stock levels. Deep cleaning may require additional products or resources to allow cleaning staff to systematically work through tasks as they are completed. Doing this in advance will help track and manage the usage of cleaning supplies more effectively.