Now that school is back in session, there are health and safety considerations in addition to the regular academics. The addition of the new virus threat makes the school year more challenging.
In addition to lurking virus threats, we’re still in allergy season. For California, grass pollen can cause allergy issues through September. Given these points, it’s especially important to know the right way to disinfect classrooms.
Customized Custodial Services has put together a cleaning guide on the right way to disinfect classrooms. We hope you find it useful in preparing for and staying safe and healthy this 2022-2023 school year.
Clean and Disinfect Surfaces That Are Touched Often
Schools, day cares and workplaces are full of germs that lead to illnesses like the flu. To slow the spread of germs and bacteria, clean commonly touched surfaces between class changes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these are the most commonly touched surfaces at schools:
- Countertops
- Computer keyboards and mouses
- Doorknobs
- Faucet handles
- Toys and hands-on learning items
Don’t forget to also disinfect things that your children bring home from school. It is a good practice to clean the things that are regularly touched during school. For instance, backpacks, books and lunchboxes.
We also recommend creating an area where you keep school items. Doing so will prevent you from putting those things in areas where you eat or cook. Speaking of cooking. The kitchen is another area that should be disinfected on a daily basis.
Given that students have not experienced regular in-class learning for nearly two years, you’ll need to set new house rules. While Customized Custodial Services is a commercial cleaning company, this guide must extend to home health and safety. Why? Because children are in groups with other people all day and then come home.
So, when we clean and disinfect the classrooms, you’ll have to do your part at home. This ensures your children are leaving a clean, disinfected home when they arrive at a clean, disinfect school.
Remember, we all stay safe and healthy when everyone does their part.
So, before Johnny opens the fridge to get his favorite after school snack, make sure you have clean-home protocol. Then, ensure that kitchen surfaces are also clean and disinfected. For example, the refrigerator and freezer door handles. Also, kitchen countertops and stovetops.
Another culprit of the spread of germs is mobile devices. Particularly, cellphones should be disinfected every day. We’re constantly touching our phones, holding them to our face. Then, we place them on commonly used surfaces. For this reason, phones should be cleaned at least once per day, front and back.
The Right Way To Disinfect Classrooms
Cleaning commonly touched surfaces with soap and water is a start to disinfecting these areas. However, it may not kill all of the germs. In between Customized Custodial Services visit, use disinfecting wipes.
But make sure you’re using a product that has been endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If the EPA has approved the product, then you know it is approved to disinfect Influenza A viruses.
Follow these steps by the CDC to clean and disinfect items correctly:
- Wash surfaces with a general household cleaner to remove germs.
- Rinse with water.
- Use an EPA-registered disinfectant (like a Clorox wipe) to kill germs.
- Throw away disposable items used to clean surfaces immediately after use.
- Let the product remain on the surface for at least 3-5 minutes to make sure it kills all of the germs.
The Correct Way To Dispose Of Waste
Having multiple wastebaskets in classrooms and homes is a good way to dispose of tissues and napkins. But make sure you are disposing of items inside the right way.
Avoid touching tissues and other waste items. Wear gloves, and wash your hands with soap and water immediately after you dispose of the trash. Also, keep the wastebaskets in easy-to-see areas. That way people can dispose of their own tissues without others having to do it for them.
Finally, remind students to frequently wash their hands and avoid touching their faces. They should also not eat or drink after each other.
To ensure that your school is clean and properly disinfected, schedule a free estimate and walkthrough. Or call (661) 829-6906 for more information.
