Clean Schools Enhance Learning

While it’s known that the quality of educators and curriculum are vital contributors to a student’s scholastic performance, the quality of school facilities is often overlooked. Clean school buildings enhance a student’s ability to learn by keeping them healthy, attentive and present.

According to ISSA, students miss 38 million school days each year due to the influenza. And when students get sick, teachers and staff do, too. The cost of these absences is costly, both socially and economically. Frequently absent students are 7.4 times more likely to drop out of school while absentee teachers and substitute replacements cost schools more than $29 billion annually.

Proper school cleaning plays a pivotal role in the health and success of students, teachers and staff. Studies reviewed by the National Research Council found that schools will have increased attendance and test scores if the buildings are clean, dry, quiet, and have good indoor air quality. Another study reported that healthy indoor school environments contributed to an 87 percent reduction in flu, 46 percent reduction in upper respiratory problems and 67 percent reduction in Sick Building Syndrome.

The unfortunate reality is that school budgets are being cut. Schools across the country face the challenge of constrained budgets while also trying to implement improved cleaning routines. Today, more and more schools are trying to accomplish the same level of work with fewer people and fewer resources.

In an effort to overcome these resource issues, one northern California school district turned to Clarke’s innovative BOOST technology. Learn how Clarke helped the district to enhance their cleaning routine, decrease chemical use, meet sustainability objectives and create a healthier learning environment for students all while reducing labor costs.

School Cleaning Presents Unique Challenges

This article was originally posted on CleanLink.

From dealing with school boards and compliance with building security regulations to special event demands and maintenance scheduling, schools fall into their own unique service category. The work flow is just plain different, says Mahanay.

"The key to school cleaning is understanding that schools are cleaned differently and getting it right with the correct amount of labor and supervision as well as automated cleaning equipment that can help increase production," he says.

Continue reading on CleanLink. 

Green Cleaning: A Team Effort

This article was originally published in American School & University.

The custodial green team is extremely important to success, whether starting a new green cleaning program or improving an existing one. The process itself has been well-defined. Assessment tools and awards programs are in place. Product manufacturers offer a wide range of products that meet performance requirements and are cost-effective compared with traditional products. And the distributors of cleaning products make the products widely available and can provide procedural and other training for custodial staffs.

For those schools and universities establishing a custodial green team for the first time, it is important to begin by considering the game plan, which includes the scope of the program, as well as the members themselves. Although input from the members can inform the finalization of the scope and the specific projects they may undertake, management should consider any boundaries before establishing the team and inviting individual members.

Thoughtful consideration before beginning will help avoid an unnecessary disconnect between what the administration expects and the team’s ability to have the flexibility to pursue issues that are important to them.

For those with existing green teams, ongoing consideration should be given to the changes in the facilities themselves, staffing levels, products and vendors. In some cases, the scope of the green team will change; for example, expanding beyond just cleaning to incorporate initiatives on pest management, recycling, composting, energy, water and other activities. These expanding issues may require different skill sets or representatives from other departments who may be affected by the new programs.

Read the full article here to learn more about green cleaning efforts.

Selecting Floor Cleaning Machines: Satisfying Requirements & Budgets

This article was originally published in American School & Hospital Facility

As more cleaning standards are put in place, and maintenance budgets decrease, facility managers struggle to find effective methods to clean floors without increasing costs. Facilities such as hospitals and schools are subject to daily, continuous foot traffic, which can result in floors becoming heavily soiled very quickly. Soiled floors not only detract from the overall appearance of the facility, but slick dirt and grime can cause slip and fall hazards while dust and other particles can impact indoor air quality.

To overcome these challenges and meet current sustainable cleaning requirements, healthcare and education facilities should utilize cleaning equipment that maximizes soil removal without increasing labor or affecting the environment—satisfying industry standards while keeping the cost of cleaning within budgets.

Today, cleaning professionals can select from a variety of cleaning equipment that is designed to provide flexibility and meet cleaning needs. By understanding and identifying their cleaning challenges, facility managers can select the ideal cleaning solution(s) that promote facility sustainability—minimizing labor, chemical and water requirements without sacrificing results.

Ensuring education and healthcare facilities maintain a certain level of cleanliness is important to preserve the health and well-being of building occupants. In order to ascertain their cleaning equipment needs, facility managers must be able to identify their exact cleaning requirements and implement solutions designed to satisfy these needs. Read the full article here to learn about cleaning requirements in education and healthcare facilities.

Strategies to Keep Schools Clean and Students Healthy

This article was originally published by Cleanlink News.

Although the first day of school represents a clean slate for students and their families, for facility managers, it's about putting a plan in place to ensure that hallways, classrooms and restrooms stay pristine well beyond the first day of classes. In order to protect the health and academic performance of students, Cintas Corporation announced three general cleaning principles facility managers should be mindful of as they develop their yearly cleaning plans.

"Student health and safety should always remain a top priority when cleaning schools," said Dave Mesko, senior director of marketing and strategy, Cintas. "By creating a clean and safe environment for students, facility managers will help to reduce absenteeism and improve student performance."

Three tips that will help facility managers keep schools in top condition include:

1. Improve air quality
2. Clean safely
3. Prevent the spread of bacteria

Read the full article here or learn about more cleaning solutions.