Maintaining clean and safe floors in a school environment is crucial for the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff. A well-maintained floor not only extends the life of flooring materials but also reduces the spread of germs and creates a welcoming environment. This guide provides best practices for school floor care, focusing on recommended chemicals, essential equipment, cleaning techniques, and an annual maintenance schedule. Following these guidelines can help facilities managers keep school floors clean and safe, adhering to ISSA standards for optimal cleanliness.
1. Floor Care Chemicals
Selecting the right chemicals for school floor care is essential to ensure effective cleaning while prioritizing the health and safety of the building’s occupants. The use of Green Seal-certified and EPA Safer Choice products can help schools maintain high cleaning standards without harmful chemicals.
- Daily Cleaning: For routine cleaning on hard floors like tile, terrazzo, and vinyl, use pH-neutral cleaners that are gentle yet effective in removing everyday dirt and grime. The Stearns® ONE PACKS GS Neutral CleanerConcentrate is a highly effective option for schools. This product is Green Seal-certified, meaning it is safer for indoor air quality and more environmentally friendly.
- Deep Cleaning and Scrubbing: For periodic deep cleaning of floors, use an alkaline cleaner to break down heavier soils and stains. The Diversey Stride Citrus Neutral Cleaner can be applied with floor scrubbers to remove embedded grime effectively.
- Floor Stripping and Refinishing: Stripping old wax and reapplying finish is essential to maintain a glossy, durable surface. The NCL® Bare Bones® No-Rinse Stripper is a low-odor option that removes old floor finish without requiring extensive rinsing. Follow up with a durable floor finish to protect the floor and create a glossy appearance. For this, MaxxPro Maxx Shine High Performance Floor Coating provides a lasting shine and durability.
- Disinfecting: To ensure surfaces are disinfected, especially in high-traffic areas, use an EPA-registered disinfectant compatible with the school’s flooring. Be mindful of dwell time (the time the disinfectant needs to remain on the surface to be effective) for thorough sanitization.
2. Essential Equipment
Selecting appropriate equipment streamlines floor care, increases efficiency, and helps maintain the floors’ appearance throughout the school year. Schools may benefit from a combination of vacuum-sized equipment and larger machines for different areas.
- Backpack Vacuums: Ideal for daily cleaning of hallways, classrooms, and stairs, backpack vacuums offer mobility and efficiency. The ProTeam® Super Coach Pro® 10 Backpack has HEPA filtration, making it ideal for schools sensitive to allergens and airborne particles.
- Floor Scrubbers: For hard floors in cafeterias, gyms, and hallways, a walk-behind scrubber is effective for daily and weekly maintenance. The Viper AS5160™ Walk-Behind Scrubber provides a 20-inch cleaning path and is suitable for medium to large school facilities.
- Burnishers: Use burnishers to maintain high-traffic floors and keep them looking polished. The ICE® iB1500 Floor Burnisher provides a high-gloss finish, restoring shine to floors that see constant foot traffic.
- Wet/Dry Vacuums: Wet/dry vacuums are essential for handling spills in classrooms, hallways, or entryways, where quick cleanup is necessary. The ProTeam® ProGuard™ 15 Wet/Dry Vacuum is a durable option suitable for school facilities.
3. Cleaning Techniques
Using proper techniques for floor care in schools helps prevent damage, ensures thorough cleaning, and prolongs the life of the flooring materials.
- Daily Dust Mopping and Vacuuming: Regular dust mopping or vacuuming is essential to prevent dust and debris from scratching hard floors. Use microfiber mops to capture fine dust particles efficiently.
- Routine Wet Mopping: In areas with hard floors, wet mopping with a neutral cleaner helps remove residue and surface dirt. Be cautious to avoid excess water, which can damage certain floor materials like wood. For larger spaces, consider using an automatic scrubber for faster, more consistent results.
- Periodic Scrubbing and Burnishing: Use a floor scrubber weekly in high-traffic areas to remove embedded dirt. Monthly burnishing helps maintain a glossy, polished look for hard floors, such as those in hallways and entryways. This technique enhances the durability of floor finishes and provides an added level of protection against scuffs and scratches.
- Stripping and Refinishing: Plan for stripping and refinishing floors at least once or twice a year, ideally during the summer or winter break when student foot traffic is low. Stripping removes old layers of finish, revealing a clean base layer. Apply a new finish to protect the floor and enhance its appearance, following the manufacturer’s instructions for optimal drying and curing times.
4. Annual Timing and Schedule
A structured floor care schedule helps keep school facilities looking their best year-round. The following is an ideal annual floor care schedule for schools:
- Summer (June to August):
- Deep Cleaning: Perform a thorough deep clean in all areas. This includes using a floor scrubber on all hard floors, carpet extraction in carpeted areas, and disinfecting all surfaces.
- Stripping and Refinishing: Strip and refinish hard floors in hallways, classrooms, and high-traffic areas. Apply a durable floor finish to prepare the floors for the upcoming school year.
- Burnishing: Burnish newly finished floors for a glossy appearance.
- Fall (September to November):
- Routine Maintenance: Focus on regular dust mopping, wet mopping, and vacuuming.
- Spot Cleaning and Burnishing: Use burnishers in hallways and high-traffic areas monthly to maintain shine.
- Inspect and Repair: Regularly check for and address any floor damage from summer wear and tear, such as scratches or minor scuffs, to maintain a polished look.
- Winter (December to February):
- Increased Floor Maintenance: During winter months, increase cleaning frequency to address salt, mud, and moisture from snow. Use wet/dry vacuums to manage water from entryways and prevent slip hazards.
- Burnishing and Spot Cleaning: Monthly burnishing keeps floors protected and reduces scuff marks.
- Deep Cleaning During Break: Perform a mini deep clean during the winter break, including additional burnishing and spot treatments as needed.
- Spring (March to May):
- Routine Cleaning and Maintenance: Continue daily and weekly cleaning routines, focusing on dust mopping and wet mopping.
- Pre-Summer Preparation: Start planning for summer stripping and refinishing by identifying high-wear areas that may need extra attention.
Following this schedule helps keep school floors clean, safe, and attractive throughout the year, making a positive impact on students and staff.
Final Thoughts
Floor care in schools involves a strategic approach that balances routine cleaning with periodic deep cleaning, all while considering the best chemicals, equipment, and techniques. By investing in suitable equipment like the ProTeam® Super Coach Pro® 10 Backpack and choosing quality, environmentally friendly products such as Stearns® ONE PACKS GS Neutral CleanerConcentrate, schools can maintain high standards of cleanliness without compromising safety or sustainability.
A consistent, structured schedule also ensures that floors are well-maintained and prepared for each new season. By following these best practices, school facilities can enjoy a cleaner, healthier, and more inviting environment for students, staff, and visitors alike.