A Complete Guide to a Safe, Fresh Start
As the final bell rings and students leave classrooms behind for the summer, the work is just beginning for custodial teams across the country. Summer provides a critical window for school facilities to undergo deep cleaning, repairs, and restoration—an opportunity to hit the reset button before students return in the fall.
While the break may seem short, it's the ideal time to tackle larger cleaning and maintenance projects that are difficult to accomplish during the busy school year.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top summer cleaning projects K-12 schools can prioritize to create a clean, safe, and welcoming environment. From restoring worn floors to sanitizing learning spaces and reinforcing safety training, every detail matters when preparing a school for the return of students and staff.
Floor Restoration: The Foundation of a Clean School
The floors in K-12 schools take a beating year-round. Between the foot traffic from students and faculty, rolling carts, and occasional spills, flooring materials can wear down quickly if not properly maintained. Summer is the prime time to breathe new life into these surfaces through floor restoration.
Stripping and Recoating Floors
Vinyl composition tile (VCT) and other hard floor types require periodic stripping and recoating. Stripping removes the old layers of floor finish, which accumulate dirt and wear over time, exposing a clean base. Once stripped, multiple layers of new finish (typically 4–6 coats) are applied to protect the floor and restore its shine.
The process of stripping and recoating floors is often one of the most time consuming projects when it comes to the cleaning process. It’s best to start on floor restoration at the beginning of the break so that you have enough time to finish all of the areas that need maintenance.
Best practices for this task include:
- Using proper stripping solutions and following dilution guidelines and dwell times.
- Allowing floors to dry thoroughly between coats when adding new floor finish to avoid clouding.
- Using high-quality floor finish products that suit your building’s foot traffic patterns. It may be best to consider coating floors with different floor finish based on the areas within the school. Front entrances and hallways, for example, require a strong finish that will hold throughout the school year since they are main pathways for foot traffic.
This not only rejuvenates the floors but also extends their lifespan and makes routine maintenance easier during the school year.
Burnishing and Planning for the Upcoming Year
After floors are recoated, high-speed burnishing helps harden the floor finish and enhance gloss. This step is crucial for high-visibility areas like hallways, cafeterias, and entrance lobbies.
It’s also important to consider how the floor will be maintained throughout the next school year. Schedule periodic burnishing sessions and ensure a routine cleaning plan is in place that includes:
- Daily dust mopping to remove grit that can scratch surfaces.
- Wet mopping or auto scrubbing with neutral pH cleaners.
- Periodic recoating and buffing to maintain appearance and protection.
Ensuring Clean and Effective Matting
Floor matting is the school’s first defense against dirt, debris, and moisture. During summer cleaning:
- Clean and sanitize existing mats, especially entrance mats, using hot water extraction or industrial washing machines.
- Inspect for wear or damage, replacing mats that have lost their effectiveness.
- Strategically place mats at all building entrances and in high-traffic areas before school reopens to prevent unnecessary wear on newly restored floors.
Remember, a proper matting system can capture up to 85% of soil brought in by foot traffic.
Planning For Upkeep During the School Year: Auto scrubbers and Sweepers
Investing in the right equipment and training will help preserve the hard work done over summer. Key steps include:
- Servicing your auto scrubbers, changing worn pads, and calibrating solution output.
- If you are a Nassco Planned Maintenance member, our service professionals will come out and ensure that your floor cleaning equipment is ready for use during the summer and school year.
- Sweeping floors regularly with dust mops or floor sweepers to reduce buildup.
- Training custodial staff on daily and weekly cleaning procedures to avoid buildup of grime that requires aggressive cleaning later.
An effective floor maintenance plan saves time, reduces long-term costs, and preserves the cleanliness of learning environments.
Deep Clean of Classrooms: A Healthier Environment for Learning
During the academic year, classrooms are among the most heavily used spaces. While daily cleaning helps maintain order, only a summer deep clean can remove months of accumulated dust, allergens, and bacteria. A thorough classroom clean supports students’ health, concentration, and overall well-being.
Washing Walls and Windows
Walls and windows silently collect grime, handprints, and airborne contaminants throughout the year. During the summer:
- Wipe down all walls using a gentle all-purpose cleaner.
- Pay special attention to corners, under desks, and behind furniture where dust gathers.
- Clean windows inside and out, removing streaks and smudges that obstruct light and reduce visibility.
Clear, bright classrooms foster better focus and morale among students and teachers.
Cleaning Air Vents and Ceiling Fixtures
Air quality has a direct impact on student performance and staff wellness. Summer is the ideal time to:
- Vacuum and clean HVAC vents, grills, and filters to remove dust, allergens, and mold.
- Inspect and clean ceiling fans, light fixtures, and projector mounts, where dust tends to settle unnoticed.
- Collaborate with facilities staff or HVAC contractors to replace air filters and ensure ventilation systems are operating efficiently.
Regular maintenance of air systems supports a cleaner environment and reduces the spread of airborne pathogens.
Deep Cleaning Floors and Carpets
Hard floors should be treated using the previously mentioned stripping and recoating process, but classrooms also often feature area rugs or carpeting, which can harbor allergens and dirt.
- Remove all furniture to access the entire flooring area.
- Use carpet extractors or steam cleaners to deep-clean soft surfaces.
- Apply deodorizing and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate odors and bacteria.
This not only improves air quality but also provides a fresher, more welcoming classroom for students.
Sanitizing All Surfaces
High-touch areas like desks, chairs, whiteboards, storage bins, and shared supplies must be thoroughly sanitized using EPA-approved disinfectants. Key tips include:
- Allowing adequate dwell time per manufacturer instructions to ensure germ elimination.
- Avoiding the use of bleach on sensitive surfaces that can discolor or degrade.
- Wiping down doorknobs, light switches, and technology tools (keyboards, tablets, etc.).
Consistent sanitation helps prevent the spread of illness once the school year begins and contributes to a healthier environment for all.
Chemical and Safety Training: Protecting People and the Environment
While effective cleaning is important, doing it safely is equally critical. Summer is the best time to refresh and reinforce chemical and safety training with all custodial and support staff. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about protecting your team and the school community.
Wearing Proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
Custodians should never perform cleaning tasks without the correct PPE. Summer training sessions should emphasize:
- The importance of wearing gloves, goggles, face shields, and protective footwear when handling chemicals or using machinery.
- How to properly wear and dispose or clean PPE to avoid cross-contamination.
- Safe storage and inspection of PPE to ensure it's effective and compliant.
Make PPE accessible and ensure all team members know which gear is required for each task.
Reading and Understanding Chemical Labels
Every chemical used in school cleaning has specific instructions and warnings that must be understood. Using the wrong chemical on the wrong surfaces can not only cause damage to school property but also be potentially dangerous for the person applying the chemical. Chemical safety training is something that should be ongoing and should always occur when introducing new chemicals into the cleaning process.
Training should cover:
- How to read a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to understand hazards, first-aid measures, and storage requirements.
- Recognizing chemical expiration dates, which can impact product effectiveness and safety.
- Understanding label signal words such as "Caution," "Warning," and "Danger," which indicate the product’s level of risk.
When staff are confident in understanding labels, mistakes are reduced, and safety improves.
Knowing Where and How to Use Specific Chemicals
Not all chemicals are safe or appropriate for every area of a school. Training should clarify:
- Which disinfectants are safe for food service areas like cafeterias.
- Which acidic or alkaline cleaners are designated for restrooms only.
- Which neutral cleaners are best for classrooms to avoid irritating sensitive populations.
Labeling storage areas and providing printed reference charts can help avoid misuse and accidents.
Using Chemical Dilution Control Systems
Improper dilution is one of the most common (and dangerous) chemical-related mistakes. Too strong a solution can harm surfaces and people; too weak, and it becomes ineffective.
In some cases, chemical dilution is done by hand, but we always recommend implementing a chemical dilution system to improve accuracy and reduce unwanted accidents. If your school has a dilution system, cleaning staff should be trained how it works and receive demonstrations to ensure they know what signs to look for in terms of malfunction. A broken dilution system is just as dangerous as improper dilution by hand.
Staff should be trained to:
- Operate chemical dilution systems that automatically mix water and concentrate in the correct ratio.
- Check dilution ratios manually for portable mixing when dilution systems are unavailable.
- Recognize signs of over- or under-diluted products, such as residue, strong odors, or lack of cleaning power.
Maintaining and inspecting these systems regularly is essential to ensure they are working as intended.
The Benefits of Being Prepared
When summer cleaning projects are approached with a strategic plan, the results go far beyond just appearances. A clean, well-maintained school:
- Boosts student performance by creating healthier learning environments.
- Reduces absenteeism due to fewer germs and allergens.
- Improves morale for teachers and staff who spend their days in those environments.
- Extends the life of facilities and equipment, lowering long-term costs.
To ensure success:
- Start the summer with a detailed checklist and calendar.
- Involve your custodial team in goal setting and task delegation.
- Conduct post-cleaning inspections and address any missed areas.
Cleanliness is an ongoing effort, but the work done over the summer sets the tone for the entire year. By prioritizing floor care, deep cleaning of classrooms, and chemical safety, schools can open their doors with confidence and pride.
Summer Cleaning Sets The Standard
Summer may be a break for students, but it's an excellent opportunity for custodians and facilities teams. Thoughtful planning, proper training, and effective execution of cleaning projects create a better environment for everyone who walks through your school doors.
Whether you're managing a small elementary school or a large district campus, making the most of summer cleaning can have a lasting impact on your school’s health, safety, and reputation.
So, pull on those gloves, fire up the auto scrubber, and make this summer count!