As is the case with every new term, cleaning classrooms becomes a real focus for teachers up and down the country. Every teacher wants a clean slate to start the term on, with the aim to inspire and engage their pupils with the wonders of education. Of course, a clean classroom is the perfect fresh start, but it is never as simple as a quick wipe down, is it?
But fret not, the school cleaning experts at Assertio Services have you covered. We have pulled together this ultimate guide to help you tackle everything from sticky desks to dusty bookshelves, all downloadable with a free PDF at the end.
Why a Clean Classroom Matters
A clean classroom has a significant impact on the concentration and engagement of students. As teachers, you will know firsthand how much distractions can impact the standard of learning. A clean classroom allows for better focus and improved behaviour, meaning the overall standard of learning improves.
There are plenty of health benefits, too. It is well known that schools are hives for bacteria and germs. With so many passing through their walls every day, ensuring the classroom is properly deep-cleaned will reduce the risk of students and teachers alike getting ill.
Beyond the students and teachers, it is important for classrooms to be clean when prospective parents and their children visit. This gives the prospective parents a positive impression of the school, making them feel more comfortable with their choice for their children. The same concept is true for administrators and inspectors who assess the standard of the school.
The Ultimate Classroom Cleaning Checklist
Discover the Assertio Services Ultimate Classroom Cleaning Checklist below! For the downloadable PDF, find the download link at the bottom of the checklist.
Surfaces and High-Touch Areas
Work surfaces and high-touch areas are likely to be the areas most visible to you, the students and any prospective parents or inspectors. If these are cluttered and unclean, you’re fighting a losing battle. High touch points are areas such as door handles, railings and light switches, places where more than one person is likely to make contact several times a day.
Be sure to wipe down desks, chairs and sides where you may be storing commonly used equipment. By cleaning the most commonly seen and used areas, the focus of your students is said to make an improvement. According to a study by Race Furniture, “When you are comfortable, you will stay focused and motivated for longer”.
Another big surface to not forget about is the whiteboard or chalkboard you use to teach. The best way to get a fresh start each term is with a fully wiped-down whiteboard. The same goes for smaller, handheld whiteboards that are used by students during lessons. We recommend using a soft, microfibre cloth and some whiteboard cleaner (if you have some) to properly clean these.
Floors & Carpets
Floors and carpets can be some of the dirtiest and grimeiest throughout the school year. This is due to the volume of foot traffic you’re likely to be getting on these over time. Be sure to mop and sweep hard floors, while you should prioritise vacuuming soft floors such as carpets and rugs.
It is worth doing these more than once, as dirt becomes more stubborn and requires multiple cleans to remove. Should you identify stains, attempt to remove them with a reliable carpet stain remover. Should the stain be too large, it may be worth considering getting new carpets (if budgets permit).
Storage Areas & Supplies
Cupboards and storage areas quickly gather mess, dust and dirt due to the fact students can just chuck their unwanted debris in there and not see it again. Be sure to clean inside cabinets, cupboards and storage areas regularly. Be especially wary of food being left in any of these areas, as this can cause infestations.
At this point, it would be a good idea to assess the quality of your supplies, identify if anything needs fixing, throwing out or replacing. While we know most schools are running on tight budgets, new materials go a long way in inspiring students to actively participate.
Windows & Walls
Windows and walls are some of the most visible places for dirt and grime to build up. If the dirt is impacting the quality of light getting into the classroom, it is time to clean. Use any good window cleaner to remove marks and smears. Don’t forget to remove dust from the window sills, using a wet cloth method, as it picks up more dust.
Tech & Electronics
Any electronic equipment you have, such as keyboards, projectors or computers, is likely to be a hotbed for germs and bacteria, so regularly disinfect these. A top tip for keyboards is to tip them upside down so the debris can fall out of the gaps and you can easily wipe them away. Removing dirt from keyboards will help prolong their life. Also, be sure to check cables for dust buildup up as this can be deemed a fire hazard.
Air & Smell
Air quality and overall smell can play a big part in how focused your students are. If there is a strong odour coming from an area of the classroom, it is likely to distract from the learning they should be doing. Be sure to regularly change the rubbish bin and soak the actual bin should it needs it. It is possible a bag has leaked during the course of the school year. We would also recommend opening the windows as much as possible, as good airflow limits how much bacteria can settle in the classroom.
Download Your Free Classroom Cleaning Checklist (PDF)
Download our ultimate classroom cleaning checklist for free! Click the link and print away.
When DIY Isn’t Enough: Consider Professional School Cleaning Services
Now that all does sound like a lot of work, and especially when you consider how busy teachers usually are preparing for a new school year. Our best advice would be to consider hiring professional school cleaners to get the job done so you can focus on delivering your work to the best of your ability. They are likely to be experts with a methodical process that gets the job done quickly, leaving you extra time to prepare for the new term.
Leave the Deep Cleaning to the Pros
Interested in hiring school cleaning experts for your classrooms? Here at Assertio Services, we offer a bespoke service that is designed to take the weight of regularly cleaning classrooms, hallways and more off your shoulders. With over 20 years of experience, we know what it takes to get high-quality results.
Get in touch to find out more about our school cleaning services.
