The importance of daycare cleaning
It is known that young children are at a greater risk of exposure to toxins and germs than their adult counterparts. Common cold, the flu, coughs, sore throats and diarrhea are just a few of the illnesses that run rampant in daycare facilities. It is estimated that children in child care and school settings will have as many as 8 to 12 colds…each year. In addition, one of the most likely groups to get hepatitis A are children and workers in daycare centers. With this in mind, operations managers at daycare facilities must do all they can to maintain a safe and clean environment for the children in their care. Cleaning services for daycare facilities can be an answer for facility managers looking to ensure the most thorough clean.
Daycare cleaning procedures: Cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting
Cleaning comes first in child care facilities
The first step to creating a germ and toxin free daycare facility is to clean. Cleaning removes dirt and other grime from surfaces. All surfaces, including windows, carpets, glass, doorknobs, bathrooms and toys should be scrubbed, washed and rinsed. Dirt can prevent sanitizers and disinfectants from working properly, so it is critical that all dirt is removed in this step. A mild detergent and water solution is best; avoid cleaning detergents with lots of chemicals. Green cleaning solutions are the best; they have less effect on human health and the environment than non-green alternatives.
Sanitize areas in your daycare facility that are touched by many hands or come into contact with food
Choosing the correct daycare cleaning supplies is important to maintain a healthy facility. In order to properly sanitize, you will need an appropriate sanitizer. Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces and objects to a safe level. Sanitizing is done using products called antimicrobials.
Antimicrobials are agents that kill microorganisms or inhibit their growth. Antimicrobials are intended to kill germs, making them pesticides. Because they are pesticides, caution must be used when using sanitizers in a child care setting, as these pesticides can be harmful to humans. For example, phenol, found in many common sanitizers and disinfectants such as Lysol and Pine-Sol, can cause many problems such as heart damage, respiratory damage, and liver, kidneys and eye damage. Any product used to sanitize or disinfect must be registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The most commonly used sanitizer and disinfectant used in daycare facilities is bleach. Bleach is a good sanitizer because it is readily available, relatively inexpensive, easy to use and has a short killing time. Sanitize all door knobs, railings, faucets, and eating utensils.
Disinfect areas in your childcare facility that come into contact with bodily fluids
Sanitizing is great, but disinfecting all areas in your facility that come into contact with any bodily fluids is key to keeping the children in your care healthy. Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces and objects. Areas to disinfect include diaper changing areas, toilets, mouthed toys, water fountains and any other surface contaminated with blood or other fluids. Again, bleach is the most commonly used disinfectant. To properly disinfect, apply a disinfecting solution to an area and allow it to air dry for a few minutes. If the area is going to be used right away after disinfection, rinse the surface with a solution of soap and water.
Why use a cleaning service at your daycare facility?
Cleaning can be strenuous, time consuming and difficult. That’s why professional janitorial services may be your best option for cleaning your child care facility. Professional cleaners know what it takes to properly clean, sanitize and disinfect facilities, making the children in your care safer. At Corvus Janitorial, we have a plethora of professionals with years of experience cleaning daycare facilities. For more information on the services we offer to child care facilities, click here.
