As students and staff return to schools and universities, classrooms and common areas quickly become busier with increased foot traffic. Following a flu season that saw more than 31 million cases nationwide, many affecting children and adolescents, maintaining clean, healthy learning environments remains a top priority. Custodial teams play a vital role in this, supporting the health and safety of those returning through effective cleaning and maintenance practices.

Back-to-School season is the ideal time to review cleaning strategies, assess equipment and ensure staff have the tools they need to keep the facilities clean throughout the school year.

Focus on High-Touch Areas

Schools and universities are filled with high-touch surfaces that can quickly become hotspots for germs and bacteria. Classrooms, cafeterias, libraries, gymnasiums and restrooms all experience heavy daily use, making routine cleaning and disinfection essential. A study conducted in elementary and middle schools found implementing an enhanced cleaning protocol, including bi-weekly cleaning of classroom desks and custodial staff training, reduced biocontamination levels on desktops, helping create a healthier learning environment.

To support a hygienic learning environment, frequently touched surfaces such as desks, door handles, light switches, handrails and shared equipment should be cleaned and disinfected regularly according to established protocols by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Prioritize Restroom Maintenance

School restrooms can quickly become one of the busiest areas in any facility. 68% of students say that restrooms that are not maintained or dirty show the school doesn’t care about its students and reflects poor management. A well-maintained restroom not only promotes hygiene but also shapes students’ and visitors’ perceptions of the school.

Restroom maintenance should be a part of a consistent daily routine. Regularly checking and restocking supplies, promptly cleaning up spills and standing water, emptying waste bins before they overflow and cleaning high-touch fixtures such as faucets and door handles all help maintain a sanitary environment. Routine floor inspections are also important for identifying potential slip hazards and ensuring restrooms remain safe for students, staff and visitors throughout the day.

Use Color-Coded Cleaning Tools

Cross-contamination remains a concern in educational facilities where the same custodial team cleans classrooms, cafeterias, restrooms and athletic spaces. Implementing a color-coded cleaning program helps designate tools for specific areas, reducing the likelihood of transferring germs between spaces while making cleaning procedures easier to follow.

A simple system, such as assigning one color for restrooms, another for classrooms and another for food-service areas, can improve consistency across the entire facility. To support these programs, we offer a variety of cleaning tools in multiple colors. Products such as our Dual-Cavity Mop Bucket and Outdoor Sweep, ideal for heavy-duty sweeping of parking lots and outdoor walkways, are available in several color options.

Manage Waste Efficiently

With students returning, waste volume increases significantly. Lunch packaging, paper products, classroom materials and event-related waste can quickly overwhelm existing collection schedules. Reviewing waste collection routes before the school year begins can also improve productivity and reduce disruptions during class hours.

Using appropriately sized waste receptacles and durable transport equipment helps custodial teams empty bins more efficiently while minimizing unnecessary lifting and repeated trips.

We offer a variety of waste management solutions to meet the needs of educational facilities of all sizes. Our 23-Gallon Tight Space Waste Receptacles are ideal for areas where space is limited, while our Round Waste Receptacles and Lids and the 28 Qt./7-Gallon Waste Baskets provide reliable options for cafeterias, common areas and other high-traffic spaces. To further improve efficiency, our Dolly for Round Waste Receptacles makes it easy to transport full bins, reducing strain on custodial staff and streamlining waste collection throughout the facility.

Prepare Floors for Heavy Traffic

School floors experience constant wear from backpacks, rolling carts, outdoor debris and changing weather conditions. Entryways, hallways and common areas should receive extra attention to prevent dirt from spreading throughout the building.

Routine dust removal, wet mopping and prompt cleanup of spills help maintain appearance while extending its lifespan. Our Super-Sorb Mop is engineered for high-traffic facilities, maintaining its liquid absorption efficiency even after repeated washes and heavy use. Its fantail band prevents tangling and provides greater floor coverage with each pass, helping reduce labor time as well as water and chemical usage. Investing in durable floor care tools helps custodial teams clean more efficiently while minimizing the need for frequent replacements.

Build a Strong Foundation for the School Year

Back-to-school preparation goes beyond stocking classrooms and organizing schedules. A proactive cleaning strategy helps schools maintain healthier learning environments and create a positive first impression for students, parents and visitors.

By combining thoughtful cleaning protocols with durable tools, schools and campuses can better manage the increased demands of the academic year while supporting the people who keep the facilities running every day.