Cleanliness and hygiene are essential in all crowded environments, and this is no different for schools, from the early years through universities and colleges. Property and building managers, as well as cleaning companies, are responsible for maintaining a healthy environment in order to improve behaviour management and ensure the school is a pleasant and safe place to be.
Everyone knows how messy kids can be, which is why it’s so important to know how to keep the school environment clean. To achieve this, cleaning companies and property managers or administrators must consider these important factors.
Cleanliness in schools goes beyond appearances. It plays a direct role in the health, safety, and performance of students and staff. Schools are high-traffic environments where germs, dirt, and waste build up quickly—from shared desks and bathrooms to outdoor areas and food preparation zones. Without regular cleaning, the risk of illness, distraction, and poor hygiene increases significantly.
Using the right school cleaning products, equipment, and supplies helps reduce contamination, manage spills, and support daily hand hygiene practices. Cleaning isn’t just a job for maintenance staff—it’s a key part of creating safe and productive educational facilities.
The main benefits of keeping a clean school environment are:
Health and hygiene: A clean environment reduces the spread of germs and illnesses, leading to fewer sick days for students and staff. Regular school cleaning and adherence to cleaning protocols are vital in maintaining high hygiene standards.
Improved student performance: Clean and organised spaces enhance focus, decrease distractions, and contribute to better academic performance. A clean learning environment supports better educational outcomes and overall student well-being.
Positive mental health: A sanitised environment can improve mental well-being by providing a pleasant and safe atmosphere. Cleanliness in schools not only promotes physical health but also contributes to a positive mental state.
Enhanced reputation: Schools that prioritise cleanliness and hygiene can build a positive reputation among parents and the community. A well-maintained school facility reflects a commitment to student safety and well-being, enhancing the institution’s image.
For more details on maintaining a clean school environment, check out our comprehensive guide: Cleaning in Schools: How to truly keep students safe.
School environments get messy fast. From playground dirt to food spills in the canteen, there’s always something to clean. Add hundreds of students and staff moving through classrooms, bathrooms, and hallways, and you’ve got a busy cleaning job on your hands.
That’s why schools need a consistent cleaning routine backed by the right supplies. Cleaning carts, wipes, mops, and bins should be easy to access and made for high traffic areas. When you’re dealing with shared surfaces and personal care spaces, using the right cleaning products makes a big difference.
Here are five practical ways to maintain a clean and healthy school environment.
A cleaning checklist gives structure to the day. It helps staff stay consistent and makes it easier to track what’s been done across different areas of the school. This matters in busy educational institutions where classrooms, bathrooms, offices, and outdoor areas all have unique cleaning needs.
Checklists should cover both routine and deep cleaning tasks. Classrooms need scheduled wiping of desks, floors, windows, and high-touch surfaces. Canteens and bathrooms should be cleaned after every break. Shared spaces like libraries or staff rooms also need attention throughout the day.
Some schools prefer digital checklists. Others use printed logs that cleaners can tick off by shift. Either way, having a clear plan helps meet hygiene standards and reduces the chance of missed tasks. It also supports better communication between teachers, staff, and cleaning teams.
Make sure your checklist covers student zones, admin offices, visitor areas, and entry points. Include steps for dust and debris removal, restocking containers, and reporting larger cleaning jobs. With the right checklist, your team can perform efficiently and keep the school environment safe for both children and adults.
Look for school cleaning supplies that are tested for safety and performance. Rubbermaid’s range includes microfibre cloths, mop systems, utility carts, and wipes that remove dust, debris, and bacteria from all types of surfaces. Microfibre picks up more dirt compared to traditional materials and helps reduce the spread of germs without relying on strong chemicals.
Deep cleaning jobs, such as term break sanitation or illness response, need specialist-grade equipment. Use colour-coded cloths and mop pads to avoid cross-contamination between bathrooms, classrooms, and shared areas.
Stocking the right products also supports staff safety. Gloves, compostable wipes, and non-toxic sprays are important when cleaning around children, food prep zones, or personal care areas. Choose reliable brands that manufacture for the unique demands of educational institutions. This includes durable containers, long-lasting mop pads, and systems designed for Australian schools.
Sanitary stations help promote hand hygiene and reduce the spread of illness throughout schools. These should be placed in high-traffic areas such as entry points, corridors, cafeterias, and near classrooms. Automatic hand sanitiser dispensers are a practical choice, especially in spaces shared by children, teachers, and visitors.
Touch-free stations support safer hygiene practices. Students don’t need to press buttons or pump bottles, which limits contact and helps reduce contamination on shared surfaces. When placed in the right spots, these units ease the pressure on bathrooms and support quick cleaning between activities.
School staff should regularly check and restock wipes, sanitiser, gloves, and other personal care items. Include these checks in your daily cleaning checklist to make sure stock levels meet demand during peak times.
For best results, choose products made for educational settings—ones that are safe for frequent use, easy to refill, and manufactured to withstand daily wear. Sanitary stations may seem like a small detail, but they play a big part in keeping your school clean, healthy, and ready for whatever the day brings.
From lunch scraps and drink containers to used tissues and classroom mess, rubbish piles up fast. If bins overflow or aren’t emptied regularly, they can create hygiene risks for both children and adults.
Use large-capacity waste containers that are easy to access and built for high-traffic areas. Step-on bins reduce contact and are ideal for use in classrooms, bathrooms, and other shared spaces. Compostable liners can also support sustainability goals while maintaining sanitary conditions.
Different types of waste need different bins. Place food waste containers in canteens, paper bins in classrooms, and sanitary bins in bathrooms and sick bays. This makes it easier for students and staff to separate waste and reduce contamination.
Cleaning staff should check bins throughout the day—not just at the end of a shift. Overflowing containers attract pests, spread odours, and make areas harder to clean. Include waste monitoring as part of your daily checklist and train teams to perform spot checks after peak periods like recess or lunch.
Safety barriers help manage how students move through high traffic areas like hallways, cafeterias, and gyms. These spaces fill up quickly, especially during breaks or school events. Without structure, foot traffic becomes chaotic and increases the risk of contact and contamination.
Barriers guide movement and create clear boundaries that help reduce crowding. Portable safety barriers are ideal for flexible spaces such as assembly halls and PE rooms. Fixed barriers work well in main corridors and outside toilets or admin areas where students tend to line up.
Regular cleaning is important. Barriers should be wiped down often, especially in schools where younger children touch surfaces as they move through. Include barrier checks in your cleaning routine and replace worn parts or damaged signage as needed.
Used correctly, safety barriers do more than control movement. They support cleaning teams by keeping walkways clear and making it easier to spot spills or debris. Most importantly, they help maintain a healthier environment for students, staff, and visitors across the entire school.
Different parts of a school need different cleaning approaches. A one-size-fits-all method won’t work across classrooms, bathrooms, outdoor spaces, and food prep zones. Cleaning staff must adapt their methods and supplies to suit the specific needs of each area, taking into account the activity, traffic, and hygiene risks.
These spaces collect dust, paper scraps, and debris throughout the day. Tables, chairs, and shared equipment should be wiped down using microfibre cloths and safe cleaning chemicals. Floors need regular mopping to manage dirt from outside, especially during wet weather. Stock gloves, wipes, and sprays that are safe for use around children and staff.
Surfaces, sinks, and floors must be disinfected multiple times a day. Use colour-coded cloths and mops to avoid cross-contamination. Step-on containers and sanitary bins should be emptied often, especially in staff bathrooms and sick bays.
Food waste, spills, and frequent hand contact make these areas high risk. Use compostable wipes and cleaning products that are approved for use on food surfaces. Bins must be emptied regularly and cleaned to prevent odours and contamination. Staff should wear gloves and use dedicated cleaning equipment for this zone only.
Outdoor zones collect leaves, dirt, and rubbish. Regular sweeping and bin checks help manage the mess. Use large, durable containers to handle higher waste volumes and secure lids to prevent pests from entering. High-contact surfaces, such as handrails or playground equipment, should also be wiped down daily.
Having the right school cleaning supplies on hand can change how effectively your team cleans the school. It’s not just about cleaning faster—it’s about reducing contamination, limiting waste, and making the job easier for staff.
Designed for high-touch environments like schools, HYGEN™ microfibre removes up to 99.9% of microbes with just water. It’s available in both launderable and disposable options to match your school’s needs. Colour-coded cloths help prevent cross-contamination between classrooms, bathrooms, and food zones. With the right cloth for every surface, you cut down chemical use while still achieving a deeper clean.
The Pulse™ Mop system helps staff cover more ground without dragging a bucket across the school. Its onboard reservoir holds enough solution to clean up to 79 square metres in one go. This is ideal for spot cleaning messes in classrooms, staff rooms, or entry points throughout the day. It also reduces water use and helps prevent wet floors from becoming slip hazards.
Rubbermaid’s janitorial carts keep all your tools, supplies, and waste bags in one place. The high-capacity version holds up to 128 litres of waste, reducing trips to the bin. The high-security model keeps chemicals locked away from students, making it ideal for schools and centres with younger children. Built-in grips and compartments keep everything organised while protecting cleaners from unnecessary strain.
Step-On bins allow for hands-free waste disposal, reducing contamination in bathrooms, classrooms, and canteens. They’re available in a range of sizes and colours to support safe, effective waste management throughout the school. The slow-close lids reduce noise and contain odours, especially useful in sick bays and food prep areas.
Each of these tools has been developed for commercial use and meets the demands of busy school environments. When cleaning staff are supported with professional-grade equipment, the results speak for themselves—fewer germs, less waste, and a safer place for students to learn.
Keeping schools clean and hygienic is essential for the health of students and staff. By following a thorough cleaning checklist, using efficient cleaning products, installing sanitary stations, providing accessible waste disposal units and setting up safety barriers, schools can effectively reduce germs and create a safer environment. These steps not only improve physical health but also support better academic performance, mental well-being and the school's reputation.
A proactive approach to cleanliness ensures schools are safe and healthy places to learn. Regular school cleaning, using professional cleaning services and high-quality cleaning supplies all contribute to a cleaner school environment.
For more tips on infection control and maintaining a clean school, contact one of our experienced team members or browse the Rubbermaid Commercial Cleaning product lines here.
