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Deep cleaning checklist for schools

Spring is the time of year to have a clear out and deep clean for everyone. This is especially the case for schools as the season marks a fresh start preparing for the weather changes and summer. SBMs need to start thinking about spring cleaning their schools and planning what needs to be done. To help you with this, we have created a deep cleaning checklist for schools to get spring ready.

There is also an opportunity to win £100 worth of essential cleaning supplies to kick start your schools spring clean. All you have to do is fill out the form in this blog for your chance to win some incredible cleaning goodies.

Create a plan

Before starting any spring cleaning, SBMs must plan what needs to be done. Determine what areas of the school need to be cleaned the most and list them in priority order. Some of the high traffic, larger areas will take longer to clean so it’s best to split them up in small, manageable chunks. Note  the best days to tackle what area and how many you will need. Once this is done, construct a schedule that you can hand to staff to let them know what is being done and when.

Throw away clutter

The first step before cleaning your school is to throw away any clutter in the areas you are cleaning. Look at all the resources and materials and decide if they are broken, outdated or not used anymore. To make this easier, form piles of clutter and items to keep. Ensure to throw away every bit of clutter by checking all cupboards, draws and other enclosed spaces. This must be done throughout the school, but a great place to start is your own office.

Start with classrooms

Classrooms are the areas where your staff and students frequent almost daily, so these are a high priority. Even the classrooms that aren't used daily should go through a deep cleaning process. Cleaning all classroom thoroughly ensures that students can focus and learn within the space. Plus, it minimises the risk of spreading germs that can lead to illnesses.

The main areas to focus on in the classrooms are:

• Disinfecting all surfaces, chairs, door handles and floors to help kill germs.
• Empty any bins and bleach them
• Wipe windows and door frames
• Wipe walls down- if there's mould dab some strong bleach onto the affected area neat.

Involve staff and students

Get staff and students involved with cleaning in any way you can to relieve some duties from cleaning staff and yourself. Make them aware of what needs to be done and let teachers decide what they want to help with when they are available. They can also volunteer their class to assist. This is particularly useful when it comes to cleaning the classrooms as each teacher and their class can do their own classroom.

Let in fresh air

This is a vital aspect of the deep cleaning checklist for schools as winter comes to an end. Schools can have a build-up of stale air from using heating and not opening windows and doors due to the cold. As the spring weather slowly approaches, open windows and doors in high traffic areas to allow a flow of fresh air through the building. Doing this gives the school a fresh and clean smell and reduces the risk of mould growing.

Focus on dining areas & staff rooms

Dining areas and staff rooms are highly populated areas that need to have a good spring cleaning. These areas are used to cook and eat within as well as a space to socialise, so they must be cleaned to a very high standard.

The main areas to focus on in these rooms are:

• Disinfecting tables, chairs and surfaces
• Cleaning handles and light switches
• Deep cleaning appliances- descaling kettles, wiping microwaves, washing up liquid  for pots and pans and cleaning ovens etc
• Disinfecting floors
• Wiping windows and cupboards
• Any monitors or TVs should be wiped down
• Empty and bleach bins.

Deep clean corridors & toilets

The corridors and toilets are very high traffic areas, and so need to be tackled during the deep cleaning process. Many staff and students pass through all the corridors of your school, and all will use the toilet facilities at some point during the day. It is important to make sure these are spotless to reduce the risk of illnesses spreading. After the spring cleaning is done, these areas need to be cleaned over daily.

The areas to focus on in the corridors and toilets are:

• Wiping down walls, doors and handles
• Sanitising windows, ledges and any cupboards
• Emptying all bins
• Bleaching toilets, sinks and taps
• Sanitise hand dryers and soap dispensers
• Mop all floors or steam vac if carpet.

Make your reception area presentable

All visitors to your school will be welcomed through the reception area. It is vital that this area is clean and tidy to make your school look presentable and appealing. You don’t want to give the wrong impression of your school, so even though it’s not a highly populated area, reception is still a strong focus.

Areas to include within this part of the deep cleaning checklist for schools are:

• Wiping tables and chairs
• Clean computers, keyboards and desktops
• Sanitise doors, handles and switches
• Clean the floor
• Throw any clutter away.

Maintain cleanliness

Cleaning your school isn’t just for the spring season. Make sure to set a plan of action in place for regular cleaning throughout the year. The spring-cleaning process kickstarts this new plan and allows your school to start fresh for better weather. Create a timetable for each area of your school and how often it should be cleaned. For example, high traffic areas should be cleaned daily. Share with cleaning staff and allocate who will do each area. It is worth sharing this timetable with other members of staff too so they can help when needed.

Giveaway Now Closed

Spring cleaning giveaway form

Be in with the chance to WIN an amazing bundle of cleaning supplies for your school worth around £100. Fill in the form below to enter and get ready for your spring cleaning to begin. Good luck!

 

T&Cs:

*Competition ends 21/04/2023. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted on the 25/04/2023. One entry allowed per form submission. Spring cleaning giveaway is open to UK entrants only. There will be one winner only. Prize includes a bundle of cleaning products for schools. Once the winner has been chosen, it will be ordered and sent to them by the GLS team. There is no cash alternative.

Use this deep cleaning checklist for schools as a guide to get your school ready for spring. Ensure to stock up on all the cleaning supplies you need to make your school spotless for the warmer weather. Keep on top of your cleaning regime by creating a timetable and ensure everyone sticks to it, even yourself! Doing this will keep your school clean, tidy and presentable. Above all, having a deep clean minimises any risk of germs spreading therefore protecting your staff and students' health.

Be prepared for the arrival of spring in your school by reading our ‘introducing spring to your school’ blog.

Let us know your spring cleaning tips on our twitter we would love to know how you get spring ready.