What makes a school great? Most parents would say high standards of teaching and good academic results. They will also point out a secure environment and modern facilities. There’s no denying that these are important factors. But there’s also one thing that every learning institution must have, and that’s a clean environment.

A school’s cleanliness can have a big impact on students and teachers alike. Students are more inclined to work and study in a clean space. Reducing the number of germs also means fewer absences among students and faculty. This is crucial as the threat of COVID-19 is ongoing. The first year of the pandemic saw around 10.1 million students always missing classes. It’s one of the reasons test scores dropped.

When it comes to keeping schools clean and safe, start with the hallway. It connects the outdoors to the rest of the school. Here’s what you should remember when it comes to cleaning school hallways.

Put a Mat at Every Entrance

There’s a reason why many homeowners put welcome mats on their front doors. Aside from spreading goodwill, it also prevents dirt and germs from getting inside. It’s why schools should put cleaning mats at every door. Students will wipe their shoes on the mat before going inside. It will go a long way in controlling the dirt on school floors.

It’s also easy to clean door mats. A school custodian can shake out the loose dirt every day. Then they can sweep or vacuum the debris off. You can also toss most of these mats in the washing machine.

Invest in Garbage Bins

There’s no such thing as too many trash cans in schools. Giving students easy access to trash bins will reduce the amount of litter on the floor. You won’t see mounds of candy wrappers or paper scattered about.

It’s best practice to place garbage bins in different parts of the school. It’s a given that every classroom should have them. There should also be several bins in the hallways. Make sure you also put them in places where students congregate.

Your school should also segregate trash the right way. You can invest in colored trash cans or hire someone to paint the bins. Put visible labels on them so students know where to put paper, cans, or plastic.

Pay Attention to Baseboards

The top cleaning companies pay equal attention to baseboards and the floor. It’s because baseboards look like they’re part of the wall. But the edge of the wall draws in a lot of dirt. This is because of static electricity. These small pieces either end up under the baseboard or cover it.

There are several ways to clean baseboards. It’s easier for the school custodian to use a vacuum cleaner. A long-handled attachment is good. It can suck out all the dirt between the wall and baseboard. Wiping baseboards down with a sponge and soapy water is also an option.

Stick to a Schedule

School heads should also create a cleaning schedule that custodians should follow. They must do certain cleaning chores every day. Sweeping and vacuuming are daily activities. So is damp mopping and emptying trash bins. Covid 19 coronavirus sanitizing is also a daily job. This includes disinfecting drinking fountains and door knobs. Public toilets also need to become sanitized often.

Top Questions Asked About Cleaning Schools

  • Why should we clean hallways and classrooms every day?

A clean school helps an educational institution in various ways. For one, teachers are more productive. They won’t have to spend precious hours cleaning their classrooms. They can use the time to make lesson plans and grade homework. The school benefits in the long run too. Well-maintained equipment and facilities last longer.

Students also learn better in a clean, healthy, and safe environment. Studies show that students in clean, well-lit, and well-maintained classrooms have higher grades. They also have fewer sick days. Cleaning classrooms and hallways on a regular basis prevents the spread of germs.

  • How long would it take to clean and sanitize the school?

Schools and other educational facilities need to become clean every day. How long the job takes will depend on the size of the school and the number of students. The industry standard for cleaning is that one person takes an hour to clean 3,000 to 4,000 square feet. But this is for offices and other commercial establishments.

Schools might need more detailed cleaning. Especially as the people using these facilities are vulnerable. It could take one professional cleaner an hour to clean 2,000 to 2,500 square feet of space. It will take longer if the cleaner has to deep clean and sanitize the area.

  • How many staff members do we need to keep school hallways and rooms clean?

The numbers will depend on several factors, like the size of the school. You should also consider the number of people using the facility. But for an average-sized school, you’ll need at least two cleaners. Their sole focus would be on cleaning the facility. They’re also tasked with disinfecting high-touch items throughout the day. For example, they’ll need to do a regular wipe-down of doorknobs and desks.

Helping Keep Your Children Safe

At Clean My Space CT, we make your child’s health and safety our priority. It’s why we only use the best cleaning materials. Our customers in cities around Connecticut know how dedicated our cleaning team is. Our services include home and office cleaning. We also do move-in move-out cleaning, deep cleaning, and sanitizing. Why not give us a buzz at (860) 539-8725 and we’ll answer all your questions. You can also drop us a line or book a schedule at info@cleanmyspacect.com.