There are so many perks to getting things done when a school building is pretty much empty for a week. After all, with the weather getting warmer and more mud and muck getting on shoes, schools need special attention this time of year! Additionally, by spring, the school has been busy long enough to have a lot of mess in all kinds of places. Rooms, desks, and props have been used for several months by now, and a good cleaning is more than due.
Taking a good, hard look at areas in the school to identify trouble spots is a lot easier when you have a week or so to do it. So, if you’re ready, read on for your guide on how to clean a school during spring break! Afterward, if you want to up your school’s cleaning protocol, reach out to our team at 360clean. We know school budgets are crucial, and we’re always happy to provide you with a free estimate. Now, let’s get down to business.
How to Use Spring Break for Your Cleaning Advantage
#1 Update Your School’s Cleaning Policies & Procedures
Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting policies for schools must follow protocols and guidelines established by local health authorities and the CDC. As stated by the CDC, you and your school’s cleaning staff must understand the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing:
- Cleaning: Using soap and water to remove (not kill) germs from surfaces
- Disinfecting: Using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces
- Sanitizing: Lowering the number of germs on surfaces to safe levels by cleaning and disinfecting
The CDC has also posted six steps your team should follow to properly clean and disinfect your school. These six steps include the following:
- Step 1: Visit the EPA website to obtain a list of disinfectants that the organization approves
- Step 2: Carefully follow the instructions printed on the cleaning solutions labels.
- Step 3: Clean surfaces and decide how areas should be disinfected according to the surface type.
- Step 4: Review the importance of contact time, which is how long a cleaning solution should stay on a surface to kill germs. Remember, contact times vary depending on the cleaning agent.
- Step 5: Wash your hands with soap and water after cleaning and disinfecting.
- Step 6: Store chemicals in a location that is out of the reach and sight of students
If your school doesn’t have a handbook with cleaning and disinfecting policies and procedures, it’s critical to assemble one. Detailing cleaning calendars is also vital, so the janitorial team knows who is responsible for which tasks.
#2 Make a List of Common Areas
If you want to clean your school during spring break deep, you can’t do it without a list of common areas that need to be cleaned and disinfected. Common areas are the most often touched areas; these surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected frequently. Common areas include all places in which people frequently gather, including:
- Classrooms
- Gymnasiums
- Locker rooms
- Visual arts rooms
- Performing arts rooms
- Lunchrooms
- The outsides of desks and lockers
- Hallways
- Bathrooms
- Stairwells and elevators
- Teacher break rooms
- Administration offices
All visible surfaces in these areas must be cleaned and disinfected, from walls to school supplies and door handles. Although it’s challenging to get to all these surfaces daily while people are in the building, spring break presents the ideal opportunity to address them thoroughly.
All accessible storage areas should also be emptied, cleaned, and disinfected. Germs and pollutants can easily hide in these areas. And remember, always start at the top levels of every space and work your way down. This method prevents dust, dirt, and debris from falling onto surfaces that were already cleaned.
#3 Create a List of High-Touch Surfaces
During the break, it’s your chance to leave nothing untouched. All cabinets, storage boxes, drawers, compartments, ball bins, and everything else should be emptied and cleaned. Again, begin by cleaning from the top of the room down. Once all surfaces are clear of dust, dirt, and debris, it’s time to disinfect. Remember to address the following areas:
- Tops of cabinets
- Tabletops and desktops
- Windows
- Walls
- Blinds and shades
- Doors and door knobs
- Handles
- Light switches
#4 Take Inventory
Spring break gives the janitorial staff a chance to declutter and eliminate any old, unnecessary materials they may come across. Take full advantage of this time to mark inventory of your janitorial closet and assess your needs for the remainder of the school year.
5 Major Areas to Tackle During Spring Break
#1 Gymnasiums
By the time spring break comes around, your school’s gymnasium has likely seen a lot of action. Dirt, food, debris, sweat, and other bodily fluids will likely be flicked and splashed over the walls, bleachers, floor, and ceilings of the gym. When the school is closed for spring break, it’s the ideal time for crucial deep cleans to get all the grime and fluids out of the porous outer layers of those surfaces.
Remember to pull out the bleachers and go over every inch, including underneath them. Additionally, pay special attention to the areas of the walls that fingers and hands can reach. Finally, take a good look at the floors and note any damage you see so that it can be repaired promptly.
#2 Windows and Glass
Everything that is glass, such as windows and dividers, should be cleaned and disinfected for aesthetic and practical reasons. Cleaning them over break can be done more thoroughly without disrupting classes, and it’ll also ensure that they are bright and clear when everyone returns after the break. Using vinegar and newspaper to wipe glass is one of the most efficient ways to do it, and it’s eco-friendly, too.
#3 Kitchens and Cafeterias
Pay extra attention to the kitchen and cafeteria of your school. Although they may be standard areas in many schools, they require even greater cleaning standards. Merely wiping down surfaces and sweeping floors isn’t enough.
Spring break is a great time to ensure every surface in the cafeteria is cleaned and disinfected. Here is a list of areas to address:
- Freezers
- Refrigerators
- Counters
- Shelves
- Storage areas
- Ovens
- Stoves
- Sinks
- Coolers
- Floors
- Student tables
- Silverware holders
- Plate basins
- Salad bars
- Main course serving areas
- Serving counters
Starting early during the break guarantees you have plenty of time to finish everything before the students and staff return.
#4 Restrooms
School restrooms need extra attention over spring break because of the extremely high risk of bacteria, viruses, and germs that live and reproduce in toilets, sinks, basins, floors, and doors. So take the opportunity to clean, disinfect, and sanitize every inch of your restrooms, including hidden areas and corners behind faucets.
#4 Clean and Disinfect the Floors
Save the floors for deep cleaning and disinfecting when it’s almost time to make your way out of the building. It makes sense that floors should be addressed last since the cleaning crew will be walking all over them and trailing cleaning carts and supplies from one end of the school to the other.
One of the most important things when disinfecting surfaces, especially floors, is to use the right solution. Leading health experts suggest using solutions with a neutral pH level, which means they will be less abrasive and damaging to those floors.
Remember to clean the floors of storage areas, classrooms, conference rooms, and offices before the hallways. When cleaning the floors and carpets, ensure furniture and furnishings are moved to the side for better access to the most soiled areas. Finally, strip and wax all floors. Stripping and waxing should happen twice annually, and spring break is a great time to complete one of those cleanings.
School Cleaning Made Simple
We hope you enjoyed this guide on how to deep clean your school during spring break! Cleaning an entire school can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t need to be when you have the right support at hand. If you’re tired of wasting valuable time and resources keeping up with a clean school, count on our team at 360clean. We proudly provide full-facility school cleaning services to ensure your staff and students stay healthy. Areas we focus on include:
✓ Classrooms
✓ Hallways
✓ Restrooms
✓ Faculty Rooms
✓ Cafeteria
✓ Gymnasium
✓ Locker Rooms
✓ Office Areas
✓ Library
✓ High Traffic Areas & Touch Points
To learn more about our commercial cleaning services for schools, contact us today for a free quote. We can’t wait to help you create a clean and healthy school for you, your team, and your students!