Why Commercial Cleaning in Sydney is a must for Schools
In an increasingly health-conscious environment of 2025, maintaining impeccable hygiene in schools has never been more prevalent. Educational institutions are epicentres of activity, bringing together large numbers of students and staff daily, making them prime locations for the rapid spread of germs and illnesses. The impact is significant, often leading to high rates of absenteeism and a diminished learning environment. For schools, investing in commercial cleaning has become a practical step toward reducing health risks.
Daily Exposure Risks in School Environments
Schools, by their very nature, are breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. The close proximity of students, combined with frequent touching of shared surfaces, creates a perfect storm for outbreaks. Sick days result in thousands of missed school days each year. This paints a clear picture of the disruption and potential health risks in educational settings.
While regular cleaning efforts are essential, they may not always be sufficient. Bacteria and viruses can linger on surfaces even after cleaning, emphasising the need for professional-grade cleaning that goes beyond the surface level. Understanding how these viruses spread, particularly indoors, is crucial for designing effective management strategies to curb infectious disease transmission.
Compliance with Health Guidelines and School Policies
Maintaining a safe and healthy school environment necessitates strict adherence to current health guidelines and regulations. Schools in 2025 are subject to stringent cleaning protocols designed to minimise the spread of illness. These policies often mandate specific cleaning procedures, the use of approved disinfectants, and regular inspections to ensure adherence to standards.
Failing to meet these standards can result in penalties and, more importantly, compromise the health and safety of students and staff. A professional cleaning service, such as Walker’s Cleaning, understands these regulations and can implement cleaning programs that meet or exceed the required standards, providing peace of mind for school administrators.
Key Areas That Need Regular Attention
The diverse array of spaces within a school all present unique challenges. Consistent and thorough cleaning is essential across all areas to minimise health risks and promote a positive learning environment. Failing to address these areas adequately can significantly increase the risk of illness transmission. Schools need to pay special attention to these key areas:
Classrooms
Classrooms are spaces where students spend much of their day learning, socialising, and participating in various activities. As such, they are high-traffic environments that naturally accumulate dirt, dust, and germs. Desks, chairs, and shared learning materials, such as books, tablets, and craft supplies, are frequently touched by multiple individuals throughout the day, making them significant sources of potential contamination. In fact, a desk has 400 times more germs than that of a toilet seat.
Germs can easily transfer between students and staff through these shared surfaces, increasing the risk of illness and absenteeism.
Bathrooms/Change Rooms:
Bathrooms and change rooms are hotspots for bacteria, viruses, and fungi due to the presence of moisture and organic waste. These conditions make it easy for pathogens to thrive if surfaces are not cleaned regularly.
Toilets, sinks, taps, stall doors, and locker areas are all high-touch surfaces that can harbour germs responsible for common infections, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), gastrointestinal illnesses, and skin-related conditions. In shared spaces, such as schools, where everyone, students and staff alike, use the same amenities, cross-contamination is a significant risk. Improper hygiene has been reported to contribute to the spread of harmful bacteria, including norovirus, Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli, particularly if you don’t wash your hands after using the toilet.
Scheduled deep cleaning, routine disinfection, and proper ventilation are key for maintaining a sanitary and safe bathroom environment that supports overall public health.
High-Touch Points:
High-touch points are surfaces that are frequently handled by multiple people throughout the day. The average student has approximately 1,500 bacterial cells per square inch on their hands. At a school, there is no telling where all those hands have been. These points are found throughout the school in every space; however, doorknobs, light switches, handrails, water fountains, and shared equipment like phones and computer keyboards are the primary areas of concern. A study has shown a water fountain can be as contaminated as 2.7 million bacteria per square inch.
Cleaning and disinfecting these high-touch areas frequently, ideally multiple times daily, is one of the most effective ways to interrupt the infection chain and reduce illness among building occupants.
Outdoor Areas:
Outdoor areas, such as playgrounds, sports fields, and school courtyards, may appear cleaner than indoor spaces due to the added airflow, but they are susceptible to contamination from dirt, animal activity, waste, and environmental pollution.
Young children frequently put their hands around or even in their mouths after being on playground equipment, increasing the chances of ingesting harmful bacteria and viruses. Weather elements, such as rain and wind, can also distribute debris and microbes across surfaces like slides, benches, and sporting equipment.
Without regular cleaning and maintenance, these areas can become breeding grounds for germs, especially in shaded or damp spots where bacteria and mould thrive.
Maintaining a Clean and Positive Learning Environment
A clean school environment supports more than physical health. It plays a crucial role in how students learn and perceive their experience of attending school. When classrooms and shared spaces are tidy, well-ventilated, and comfortable, students are more likely to stay focused and engaged. Staff, too, benefit from working in an environment that feels safe, cared for, and conducive to teaching.
A well-maintained space can lift morale, reduce stress, and foster a stronger sense of community. To create and sustain this environment even after a professional clean, it’s important to focus on three key areas:
Ventilation: Keep windows open when possible and ensure ventilation systems are regularly maintained.
Temperature Control: Aim to maintain classroom temperatures between 20°C and 23°C to ensure comfort and optimal focus.
Surface Cleanliness: Wipe down desks, door handles, and shared equipment regularly throughout the day. All floors, depending on type, need to be swept, mopped or vacuumed frequently.
One commonly overlooked practice is advocating for good germ etiquette. This means encouraging your children or students to be mindful of their surroundings. Especially during the colder months of the year, simply reinforcing the importance of covering your nose when sneezing or coughing, as well as consistently washing hands, can make a significant difference. And the simplest one of them all, for teachers and students a like, if you really are unwell, stay home. As much as we want to bring attendance up, attending school while your sick is not the way to do it.
Together, these practices and habits create a learning environment where students and staff can prosper.
Receive Professional Cleaning Services for Your School
Contacting a professional service, such as Walkers Cleaning, is a strategic decision to preserve your school's hygiene. The Sydney-based commercial cleaning company offers tailored cleaning plans designed to meet the specific needs of schools, ensuring a spotless and hygienic environment. They provide flexible after-hours cleaning to minimise disruption, use eco-friendly products to protect student health, and employ a team of thoroughly trained and insured professionals.
