As you probably already know, a clean and tidy school environment is essential for the well-being and productivity of both students and staff. But how can you do a better job of keeping your school clean year-round? Our school cleaning pros are here to help with that.
Maintaining cleanliness in a school setting can be challenging, but with a thorough cleaning checklist, strategic planning, and professional cleaning services, you can keep your school premises spotless year-round.
This guide will provide you with actionable advice on how to maintain a clean school environment, focusing on key areas such as school toilets and canteens, while also encouraging school operations managers to consider professional cleaning services.
Importance of a Clean School Environment
A clean school environment is crucial for several reasons:
- Industry Standards/Regulations: The general hygiene and cleanliness of schools are regulated by various legal acts in the UK, including The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, School Premises (England) Regulations 2012, and the Education (Independent Schools Standards) (England) Regulations 2010.
- Health and Safety: Cleanliness helps control the spread of germs, harmful bacteria, aiding disease control and ensuring the health and safety of students and staff.
- Well-being: A hygienic environment contributes to the overall well-being and mental health of everyone in the school.
- Productivity: A tidy environment enhances focus and productivity among students and staff.
- Reputation: Maintaining cleanliness reflects positively on the school’s reputation, attracting more students and staff.
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How To Keep School Environment Clean Year-Round
Step 1: Develop a School Cleaning Schedule
Creating a consistent and comprehensive cleaning schedule is the foundation of maintaining school cleanliness year-round. This schedule should include daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning practices to ensure all areas are regularly cleaned with a standardised cleaning process.
Daily Cleaning Tasks
- Classrooms and Hallways: Sweep and mop floors, empty trash bins, and wipe down desks and surfaces.
- School Toilets: Clean and disinfect toilets, sinks, and mirrors. Restock paper towels and provide hand sanitiser stations.
- Canteen: Clean tables and chairs, sweep and mop floors, and disinfect food preparation areas.
Weekly Cleaning Tasks
- Deep Cleaning Classrooms: Dust shelves, wipe down walls, and clean windows.
- School Bathrooms: Perform a more thorough cleaning of toilets and sinks, and clean bathroom floors.
- Canteen: Clean kitchen appliances, check for food waste, and ensure proper food safety practices.
Monthly Cleaning Tasks
- School Buildings: Inspect and clean air vents, light fixtures, and other hard-to-reach areas of school building areas.
- Outdoor Areas: Maintain playgrounds, sports fields, and outdoor seating areas.
- Recycling Program: Ensure recycling bins are emptied and properly sorted.
Step 2: Maintain a Clean Canteen
The school canteen is another critical area that requires diligent cleaning to ensure food safety and hygiene. Here are some tips to keep the canteen clean:
Daily Cleaning Routine
- Surface Cleaning: Wipe down tables, chairs, and food preparation areas with disinfectant.
- Floor Cleaning: Sweep and mop floors to remove food debris and spills.
- Waste Management: Empty trash bins regularly and manage food waste effectively.
Food Safety Practices
- Proper Storage: Ensure food is stored at the correct temperatures to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
- Cross-Contamination Prevention: Use separate cutting boards and utensils for different types of food to prevent cross-contamination.
- Staff Training: Train canteen staff on food safety practices and the importance of maintaining a clean environment.
Professional School Kitchen Cleaning Services
- Deep Cleaning: Schedule regular deep cleaning of kitchen appliances, ventilation systems, and other areas not covered by daily cleaning routines.
- Inspections: Conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and standards.
Step 3: Keep School Toilets Clean
School toilets are high-traffic areas that require special attention to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
Here are some strategies for keeping school toilets clean:
Regular Cleaning and Disinfection
- Frequent Cleaning: Clean and disinfect toilets multiple times a day, especially during cold and flu season, to control the spread of germs.
- Thorough Cleaning Checklist: Develop a checklist to ensure all areas, including sinks, mirrors, and floors, are cleaned thoroughly.
- Cleaning Supplies: Use high-quality cleaning supplies and disinfectants to ensure effective cleaning.
Promoting Personal Hygiene
Headteacher Update tells us how child involvement can be key to improving toilet spaces:
“One large primary school ran focus groups with children and revamped their toilet areas accordingly. Using the feedback from the children, the school was able to make targeted improvements to the toilet areas.”
Here’s how you can action these insights by promoting personal hygiene in students:
- Hand-washing Stations: Provide ample handwashing stations with soap and paper towels.
- Hand Sanitiser: Install hand sanitiser stations at the entrance of each bathroom to promote hygiene.
- Educational Posters and Focus Groups: Display posters that encourage proper handwashing techniques and personal hygiene practices, and hold pupil focus groups to teach them more about bathroom hygiene.
Professional Cleaning Services
- Specialised Cleaning: Hire professional cleaning services that specialise in school bathroom cleaning to ensure a higher standard of cleanliness.
- Scheduled Deep Cleaning: Arrange for periodic deep cleaning events to maintain a consistently hygienic environment.
Step 4: Plan Additional Year-Round Cleaning Strategies
To maintain school cleanliness throughout the year, consider implementing the following strategies:
Cleaning Day Events
- School-wide Participation: Organise a cleaning day event where students and staff participate in cleaning the school premises. A cleaning event like this can promote a sense of responsibility and teamwork.
- Scheduled Events: Plan these events at the beginning and end of each term to ensure a thorough cleaning of all areas.
Recycling Programs
- Environmental Awareness: Implement recycling programs to promote environmental responsibility and reduce waste. School recycling schemes can make big improvements to school cleanliness and environmental impact.
- Proper Sorting: Provide clearly labelled recycling bins and educate students and staff on proper sorting practices to keep your school clean.
Benefits of Professional School Cleaning Services
Investing in professional cleaning services can significantly enhance the cleanliness and hygiene of your school environment. Here are some compelling reasons to consider:
Expertise and Experience
Professional cleaning companies have the expertise and experience to provide high-quality cleaning services. They are trained to handle various cleaning tasks and use advanced cleaning techniques and equipment.
Customised Cleaning Plans
Professional cleaners can develop customised cleaning plans tailored to the specific needs of your school. This ensures that all areas are covered and cleaned regularly.
Cost-Effectiveness
While hiring professional cleaners may seem like an additional expense, it can be more cost-effective in the long run. Professional cleaners can complete tasks more efficiently, reducing the need for frequent repairs, renovations and replacements due to poor maintenance.
Enhanced Health and Safety
Professional cleaning services help control the spread of germs and bacteria, ensuring a healthier environment for students and staff. This can reduce absenteeism and improve overall productivity and general pupil wellbeing.
Peace of Mind
By outsourcing cleaning tasks to professionals, school management can focus on other important aspects of running the school and teaching pupils. This provides peace of mind knowing that the school environment is being maintained to a high standard.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining a clean school environment year-round is essential for the health, well-being, and productivity of students and staff. By developing a comprehensive cleaning schedule, focusing on key areas such as school toilets and canteens, and considering professional cleaning services, you can ensure a consistently clean and hygienic environment.
At Armour Property Services, we specialise in providing highly-trained teams of school cleaners across London and beyond. Our cleaners hold valid DBS certifications, have undergone police background checks, and receive rigorous vetting, testing, and one-on-one instruction.
We offer a range of consumables and janitorial supplies, using safe cleaning chemicals and accommodating allergies with alternative products.
