As schools become empty for spring break, this is the time to seize the opportunity and conduct a deep cleaning of your school premises. Although in-house janitorial staff routinely work on-site throughout the school year, when students and staff are away from school during spring break, meticulous cleaning can be done without disrupting the normal flow of classes and provides other opportunities for deep cleaning tasks that are difficult to accomplish during regular and busy school days. The following article will help you create a detailed checklist that ensures a safe and healthy return to school for all students and staff post-spring break.
Clean All Common Areas
To ensure a thorough spring break cleaning of your school, it is crucial to develop a detailed inventory of the common areas that require attention. These spaces are the frequently touched surfaces found throughout school grounds and necessitate consistent cleaning and disinfection to uphold a sanitary environment. Some examples of common areas where staff and students frequently gather are:
- Classrooms
- Gyms
- Locker rooms
- Lunchrooms
- Hallways
- Bathrooms
- Stairwells and elevators
- Teacher break rooms
- Administration offices
These common areas should be cleaned and disinfected, from the walls to the door handles. These areas may be challenging to clean daily while staff and students are in the building and using these areas, and spring break presents the ideal time to address these areas thoroughly.
Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces
Wipe and disinfect all high-touch surfaces to eliminate dust, debris, and dirt and focus on the following areas:
- Cabinets and handles
- Tabletops and desktops
- Walls
- Windows
- Blinds and shades
- Doors and door knobs
- Light switches
Sanitize The Gym
School gymnasiums can harbor a lot of bacteria, since dirt, food, debris, and sweat accumulate over the walls, bleachers, floors, and ceilings of the gym. When schools are closed for spring break, it is the perfect time for essential deep cleaning to eliminate all the grime and sweat that have accumulated in the gym premises. In addition, ensure to thoroughly clean the bleachers including underneath them, pay special attention to cleaning the walls which are high-touch surfaces, and examine the floors to determine if there is any damage so it can be repaired before school reopens.
Clean All Windows And Glass
All windows and glass doors should be cleaned and disinfected, and cleaning these areas during spring break can be accomplished more thoroughly without disturbing classes. For an eco-friendly method to clean glass and windows, use vinegar and newspaper to wipe the surfaces.
Clean The Kitchens And Cafeterias
School kitchens and cafeterias require tough and thorough cleaning standards. The following is a list of key areas that should be vigorously cleaned and disinfected to ensure the health and safety of school patrons:
- Freezers
- Refrigerators
- Counters
- Ovens
- Stoves
- Sinks
- Faucets
- Floors
- Student tables
- Plate basins
- Serving counters
In addition, clean and disinfect all kitchen equipment and appliances, as well as food preparation areas to prevent the spread of foodborne germs and bacteria.
Disinfect And Sanitize Restrooms
School restrooms require thorough cleaning and disinfecting due to the high risk of bacteria and viruses that are harbored in toilets, sinks, basins, floors, and doors. Ensure to clean every inch of the restrooms, as well as hard-to-reach areas and under the faucets.
Clean And Disinfect The Floors
Clean and disinfect the floors last, as they are constantly walked upon by the cleaning crew. Begin by cleaning floors in storage areas, classrooms, conference rooms, and offices, and then proceed to clean the hallways. Vacuum carpets and mop hard flooring with a disinfecting solution, and wax or polish the floors for a squeaky shine.
Regency Cleaning Services is known for its eco-friendly and toxin-free commercial cleaning services. Contact us today to find out how we can help you create a pristine and healthy environment for all your staff and students this spring break!
