Schools are hubs of activity with hundreds of students and staff sharing various spaces and materials. As a result, it’s no wonder sicknesses tend to spread through educational facilities, regardless of class sizes or age groups. Fortunately, janitors, staff, and students can keep schools clean in the following ways to reduce the transfer of germs.

How Janitors & Staff Can Keep Schools Clean

1. De-Clutter & Organize

Decluttering is the first step to maintaining a tidy, clean environment. After all, the fewer items there are, the easier it is to keep an area clean. Have teachers take a designated period to declutter their classrooms and offices, donating or throwing out unneeded supplies. They can then organize the remaining items.

2. Disinfect Shared Objects

Many surfaces and objects in schools are shared by multiple students, including library and cafeteria tables, computers, writing utensils, desks, bathrooms, chairs, and water fountains. These objects should be disinfected regularly. For example, eating surfaces should be disinfected after every mealtime, and bathrooms should be disinfected at least twice a day by a janitorial team. During peak illness seasons, you may also want to have kids wipe off the items they’ve used. Finally, post signs near water fountains to encourage kids to use reusable water bottles instead of putting their mouths on the faucet.

3. Tidy Up Daily

Help your school’s janitor do their job efficiently and effectively by tidying up at the end of the day. Stack chairs to leave space for the team to vacuum or mop, pick up trash, and ensure materials are back in their places. Also, wipe the desks and the black and whiteboards and their ledges.

4. Encourage Parents to Keep Sick Kids Home

Missing school can make it difficult for kids to keep up. However, it’s better for everyone if sick children stay home. Even if a child has mild symptoms, they can spread their germs to other children and adults, some of whom may have more difficulty fighting off illness. Try to devise a plan for when students have to miss school, such as having their parents come by to collect their tasks to be completed at home.

If you need janitorial services for your school, turn to Maintenance One. Located in Stamford, CT, these experienced janitors specialize in school and commercial cleaning. Committed to exceeding client expectations, they’re the area’s go-to cleaning company. Call (203) 348-1700 to schedule a consultation, or visit their website to learn more about how they can help keep your environment clean and safe.