Back-to-School Cleaning Checklist
If you’re a teacher, principal, or a facilities manager, you know how important it is to start the school year off with a “clean slate” – literally! Providing new and returning students, as well as your staff, with a clean, healthy learning environment is a great way to start the new year off right.
Not to mention, a clean school and classrooms helps reduce the risk of germs and bacteria from spreading, right before flu season hits.
In this article, we’ll share some of our top tasks in the form of a school cleaning checklist. At The Go-To Janitor, we use similar cleaning techniques in our school janitorial services.
Read on to learn more!
The Importance of Cleaning School Buildings
Schools, including daycares, classrooms, offices, break rooms, and cafeterias, are healthier, more comfortable spaces when they are kept clean and maintained. If left uncleaned, school environments become a breeding ground for germs and bacteria.
According to BYU News, school cleanliness greatly impacts student well-being and their ability to learn. Nearly 88% of students surveyed reported that “cleanliness impacts their ability to focus on learning.” The study also found that “cleanliness ranked as the fourth most important building element to impact the students’ personal learning.” The top three were noise, building temperature and lighting. Proving the significance of a clean learning environment.
To ensure that your school is ready for students to come back soon, we’ve created a school cleaning checklist to help you tackle the task. These tasks can be completed by your in-house custodial team and staff, or reach out to a school cleaning service in your area.
Cleaning Supplies for Schools
You probably already have most of the supplies you need to efficiently clean your school. Check your custodial closet to make sure you have the following items available:
Cleaning gloves
Ladder or step stool (something tall enough to reach high ceilings)
Vacuum and broom
Mop and mop bucket
Clean microfiber cloths
Microfiber dusters
All-purpose cleaner
Glass cleaner
Disinfecting spray
Pressure washer
Your School Cleaning Checklist
Prepare for the return of students and staff with this school cleaning checklist. Do the following from start to finish and your educational building will look good as new in no time!
Ceilings, Walls & Windows
Whenever you’re cleaning, it’s important to work from top to bottom. This ensures that dust, dirt, and debris trapped on ceiling tiles and walls are knocked down to the floor for easier clean-up. Start with the ceiling and work your way down:
Use a microfiber cloth or duster to knock down cobwebs from the ceiling.
Check the lighting in each classroom, office, hallway, and bathroom. Remove covers and wipe with a clean microfiber cloth sprayed with all-purpose cleaner. Let dry fully before replacing.
Ensure all light fixtures have functioning bulbs. Replace bulbs that are out.
Vacuum walls to remove loose dust and debris. Then, use a microfiber cloth and an all-purpose cleaner to wash the walls.
Spray windows with a glass cleaner and wipe clean.
Vacuum out all lockers and cubbies. Pay close attention to the vent areas. If dust and debris are present, use the brush attachment to get into the little crevices.
Spray a microfiber cloth with all-purpose cleaner and wipe down lockers and cubbies. Leave doors open to air dry.
Also, wipe down all doors, door knobs, handles, etc. If doors have glass, spray with a glass cleaner and wipe clean.
Floors
Educational buildings typically have tile and hard floors. Some classrooms and office spaces will have carpet or rugs. Make sure to deep clean each with the proper cleaning methods.
Using a microfiber duster or cloth, wipe down all baseboards. You can even use the brush attachment on a vacuum.
Sweep and mop all tile, wood, or vinyl floors.
Vacuum carpets and rugs. If needed, steam clean, then hang removable carpets over a banister or chair to air dry.
Deep clean stained surfaces and remove scuff marks.
Bathrooms
Deep cleaning bathrooms before school opens is important to prevent the spread of unwanted germs. Disinfecting and sanitizing properly is essential to keeping your students and staff safe.
Using a long handled duster, dust the ceiling tiles and in the ceiling’s corners. This will knock dust and debris down, making it easier to clean.
Wipe down all walls and baseboards using a microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner.
Sweep and mop bathroom floors.
Use a microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner to wipe down bathroom doors, door knobs, stall doors, handles, and hardware.
Spray the toilets, toilet paper holders (take toilet paper out before doing this!), and toilet handles with a disinfectant. Let sit for a few minutes, then wipe with a clean microfiber cloth.
Clean the mirrors with a glass cleaner.
Spray the sinks and vanities with an all-purpose cleaner. Let sit for a few minutes before wiping. Focus on faucet handles, making sure to wipe well.
Check that the plumbing and drains are working properly.
Classrooms & Offices
Start the year off with deep cleaned and disinfected classroom and office spaces. Doing the following will reduce the spread of germs from the get-go:
Clean ceilings, walls, and baseboards, following the above procedures.
Spray a microfiber cloth with an all-purpose cleaner. Wipe down all trinkets, shelves, wall hangings, computer screens, desks, and chairs.
Use a glass cleaner to clean all windows and glass surfaces.
For hard floors, vacuum or sweep. Then, mop. For carpet, vacuum and spot clean any stains. Perform a steam clean as needed. Let air dry fully.
Cafeteria
Eating spaces should be clean before children arrive on their first day. Make sure all tables, chairs, and surfaces that touch or come into contact with food are clean and ready to go.
Clean ceilings, walls, and baseboards, following the above procedures.
Use an all-purpose cleaner to wipe down all surfaces including tables and chairs.
Sweep and mop floors.
Recreational or Physical Education Equipment
Before kids return to school, make sure all of their playground equipment, PE and athletic equipment, and leisure items are well-maintained, in good working order, and are clean.
Pressure wash outdoor equipment like playgrounds, swings, and athletic equipment.
Wipe down all indoor recreational equipment with a microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner. This includes balls, athletic gear, and other equipment used during physical activity.
Exterior Cleaning
Now that the school’s interior is deep cleaned, it’s time to focus on the outside.
Pressure wash any dirty structures. This may include exterior walls, the roof, signs, sidewalks, picnic tables, parking areas, etc.
Inspect all exterior lighting. Replace bulbs that are out.
Clean all exterior windows with a glass cleaner.
Keep Your School Clean with The Go-To Janitor
We hope this school cleaning checklist gives you all the information you need to deep clean and prepare your property for the return of students and staff.
If you are looking for a professional cleaning service in Asheville, NC or surrounding areas, The Go-To Janitor is here to help! Contact our experts today to schedule your free estimate. We’ll work with you to create your own customized cleaning plan to get your school grounds looking fresh and clean.
Find out more and request a free janitorial services for education quote today.
Happy school year!
