Ah, summer break is almost here! The halls will be silent, and the calmness of empty corridors and classrooms will replace the joyous chaos of students. Students and teachers will have ample time to recharge, relax, and enjoy the sun outside the school. It is all so beautiful! 

School administrators deserve this break, too; you definitely do. But while you enjoy your lazy days or take that beachside trip, remember that this break provides the ideal window for thoroughly cleaning and maintaining the school without the interference of milling students and staff.

The best part is, if you do it right, you will still have plenty of time to enjoy your break before resumption. This article will guide you through the critical areas to clean and maintain during this period. You know we always have your cleaning concerns covered. Let's go!

Importance of Summer Cleaning and Maintenance

Close your eyes and picture returning from the break to a pristine school environment that sparkles like a thousand stars. Not only does that clean and well-maintained image look amazing, but it also works wonders for the well-being of students, staff, and the school's reputation. 

Upon resumption, a fresh and sanitized school environment promotes better health and reduces the risk of illness so everyone involved in the learning process can play their roles effectively. It also means that a deep school cleaning process during the holidays will make all subsequent cleaning efforts seamless. Additionally, maintaining a visually appealing school boosts the confidence of community members in your institution and leaves a stellar impression on your visitors. 

This summer break presents you with the most meaningful opportunity for deep cleaning your school environs and facility maintenance. The extended break period allows you to undertake the cleaning and maintenance processes without the undue pressure of returning students. 

School Cleaning During Summer Break: Areas to Clean and Maintain

Here are the best tips for cleaning the school during the holiday. These tips will help you develop a comprehensive school cleaning checklist for summer and other school breaks. That way, you can easily share your expectations with any professional commercial cleaning service you hire to get the job done. 

1. Exterior Cleaning and Maintenance

First impressions matter, right? The school's exterior appearance is the first impression visitors and parents will get, making it essential that it is maintained diligently. You should pay attention to the windows, doors, and facades, ensuring they are clean, streak-free, and sparkling. 

Remove dirt and debris all around the school grounds. This should be done as close to resumption as possible. If necessary, remember to repaint the walls to enhance the school's aesthetic appeal. You also want to conduct thorough inspections and repair outdoor structures like playground equipment, fences, and walkways to ensure the safety of your students during the upcoming academic year.

2. Classroom Cleaning and Organization

The real mischief happens in the classrooms, and being the heart of the learning environment, the cleanliness and organization of the classroom significantly impact student engagement and productivity. Using this break to thoroughly clean and sanitize surfaces, including desks, chairs, whiteboards, and storage areas, is essential. 

You should ensure the team pays particular attention to high-touch surfaces to minimize the spread of germs that can spread to unsuspecting students when they resume. The cleaning should be done using sanitizing agents like Pine Sol disinfecting cleaner, with the desks and chairs being the primary concern.

You could also repaint the walls with bright colors and meaningful art to rejuvenate the learning scenery and give the students something refreshing to see and talk about upon resumption.

PS: Ask the cleaning crew to look at the underside of the desks when cleaning. The weirdest things are always there.

3. Deep Cleaning and Maintenance of Common Areas

The hallways, libraries, cafeterias, and other common areas have seen it all. These heavy-traffic areas have seen everything, from spilled milk to chocolate wraps and the ever-present chewed gum on the floor. It is vital to clean and disinfect these areas to remove all accumulated dirt and germs. 

The cleaning team should pay extra attention to high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, handrails, and light switches. Those are the areas that retain the most germs. You could also move the shelves in the library around, taking note of hidden corners to remove any dirt or debris.

Also, without interruption from the general school population, this is the best time to inspect fixtures, furniture, and equipment which work a little too much during the school year. The broken ones can be fixed and cleaned to serve for another prolonged length of time, while the entirely damaged ones should be replaced.

4. Restroom and Hygiene Facilities

The restrooms sometimes resemble a warzone after the students are done for the school year. Maintaining clean and functional restrooms and other hygiene facilities is vital for the students and staff's well-being and health. 

Ensure the cleaning team pays special attention to the toilet bowls, using appropriate toilet cleaners and disinfectants to sanitize them. Ensure the mirrors, floors, and sinks are also thoroughly cleaned with disinfectants. 

Also, ensure that the automatic hand driers and soap dispensers are fully operational. Additionally, prioritize plumbing maintenance and inspect ventilation systems.  

5. HVAC Systems and Indoor Air Quality

This summer break is an opportune time to focus on your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems to improve indoor air quality. It is time to hire professional HVAC cleaners to clean the air filters, vents, and ducts to remove dust, allergens, and other pollutants. This will ensure that your students and staff breathe fresh and healthy air when they return for the new academic year. 

Schedule professional inspections and maintenance to address any potential issues and optimize the performance of the HVAC system. 

6. Grounds and Outdoor Areas

Maintaining the school's outdoor appearance enhances the overall appearance and safety of the campus. It is time to mow the lawns and trim the trees and shrubs. For mowing and trimming, it is essential to get groundskeepers with expertise in this area to achieve the best results. 

Also, invite pest management professionals to exterminate both indoor and outdoor pests. This is also a great time to inspect and repair outdoor sports facilities, parking lots, and walkways, ensuring they are safe and accessible for everyone. 

7. Safety and Security Measures

Summer break is ideal for conducting comprehensive safety and security checks without interference. You have ample time to inspect your fire alarm and security systems for any defaults in their functionality. Replace the non-functional fire alarms and add more security cameras to cover any blindspots you noted. 

Ensure the emergency exits are clear of obstacles and ready for unexpected events. You could also update your emergency response plans, considering all the changes and lessons learned from the previous school year. 

Conclusion

As summer break draws near, you can transform your campus into a clean, safe, and welcoming space. You now have a comprehensive outline of areas and recommendations for school cleaning during summer break. By following these tips for cleaning your school during the holiday, you will be well on your way to creating an optimal environment for teaching and learning, growth, and inspiration.