Top Tips for Deep Cleaning Your School This Summer

With buildings largely unoccupied, the summer holidays are the perfect time to complete deep cleaning tasks that simply aren’t practical during term time. From disinfecting high-touch areas to deep cleaning floors, ventilation areas, and storage spaces.

A well-executed deep clean during the summer half-term will not only support student and staff well-being but will also ensure your school meets hygiene standards, reduces the likelihood of illness transmission, and creates a welcoming, safe environment for the year ahead.

In this blog, we will be sharing practical, experience-led tips for deep cleaning your school this summer. Tailored for site teams, caretakers, and school leaders who are preparing for a fresh start in September.

Set the Plan in Motion: Pre-Clean Prep

Before the school summer holidays begin, you must have a clear plan in place for the upcoming deep cleaning of your school. A structured plan will help save time and avoid any unnecessary disruptions.

We recommend you begin with a full walk-through of your site (ideally with caretakers or facilities staff). This will help you identify areas of your school that need more than a surface clean.

During your walk around the site, make a note of any flooring in need of repair, ventilation units that require servicing, and any classrooms or storage areas that are rarely emptied and reorganised during term time.

Once you’ve done this, you can start to build a cleaning schedule that prioritises high-traffic and high-touch areas such as washrooms, dining halls, and hallways. If you’re outsourcing to a cleaning contractor, confirm timelines to avoid any unexpected delays.

A simple cleaning checklist will help cleaning teams stay on track and accountable. You can create your own or adapt a trusted school deep cleaning checklist tailored to your building’s layout and term-time use. Planning well is what makes a deep clean the most effective.

Key Zones to Prioritise for a True Deep Clean

Not all areas within a school will require the same amount of attention when it comes to deep cleaning, but during a summer deep clean, some areas demand more attention than others. Here’s where we recommend you start for a thorough, effective clean:

Classrooms

Wipe down desks, chairs, whiteboards, blinds, and skirting boards. Pay close attention to high-touch areas, such as handles, light switches, and shared supplies, that come into contact with people daily.

Toilets and Washrooms

Descale taps, scrub grouting, and disinfect toilet cubicles, doors, and flush handles. Make sure you don’t overlook odour sources, such as floor drains or pipe joints, which will also require a deep clean.

Kitchens and Dining Areas

Degrease extractor fans, clean inside and behind kitchen appliances, and sanitise food prep zones and serving areas. Fridge handles and microwave buttons are high-touch areas, so make sure to give them a thorough clean.

Sports Halls and Changing Rooms

Disinfect lockers, gym mats, and benches. Floor stripping and resealing may be required after heavy use. Changing rooms will often require odour and bacteria control, especially in damp or poorly ventilated areas where germs can linger long after the term ends.

ICT Suites and Offices

Use electronic-safe cleaners on keyboards, computer screens, and shared devices to prevent damage. These are often overlooked during term time, but they can harbour high levels of bacteria due to frequent shared use.

Entrance Areas

Focus on cleaning floor mats, handles, intercoms, and access pads. These areas are often the first point of contact and first impression of your school for visitors and pupils alike.

Staff Rooms and Admin Areas

Clean all soft furnishings, fridge interiors, kettles, handles, and shared remotes. These communal spaces are often overlooked in the end-of-term cleaning checklist, but they are just as important.

The Summer-Only Tasks You Shouldn’t Miss

Some cleaning tasks are best left until the school is completely empty. Here are the key tasks you need to tackle during the summer:

Floor treatments: Strip and polish hard floors, and use deep carpet extraction cleaners to remove any built-up dirt, bacteria, and allergens.
Ventilation and HVAC systems: Clean all vents, replace filters, and clear any dust from ductwork to improve indoor air quality.
Ceiling-level cleaning: Wipe down skylights, diffusers, and all overhead light fixtures where dust often gathers unnoticed.
Storage and stock rooms: Declutter all cupboards and disinfect the shelving in low-use areas that usually get overlooked during term time.
Pest prevention: Inspect kitchens, bin storage units, and plant rooms for signs of infestation. Summer is peak season for nesting pests, so it’s important to be aware.

Health, Safety, and Compliance Considerations

Deep cleaning isn’t just about results; it’s also about how safely and compliantly cleaning is carried out. Whether handled in-house or with external contractors, your cleaning plan must align with health and safety regulations.

You must ensure that all cleaning staff wear the appropriate PPE (gloves, masks, and eye protection where applicable). Especially when handling cleaning chemicals.
Follow COSHH regulations when storing and using hazardous cleaning products. Keep safety data sheets readily accessible and ensure that all staff are fully trained and certified in COSHH.
Use clear hazard signage (e.g. “Wet Floor” signs) throughout the site to prevent slips or unauthorised access.
For safeguarding purposes, maintain site access records and log anyone working alone during the summer holidays.

These steps aren’t just a matter of tick-box compliance; they’re essential for protecting everyone involved in your school’s deep cleaning programme. For more information on COSHH and school safety standards, refer to the HSE education guidelines.

A Clean Start to the New Term

A well-executed summer deep clean will prepare you for a smoother, healthier school year.

It’s not just about ticking off tasks; it’s about giving pupils and staff a fresh start in a space that feels safe, cared for, and ready for learning.

From floors and furniture to filters and fixtures, getting it right means planning ahead and using the right products in the right places.

Need quality cleaning supplies to get the job done properly?

Apply for a Power Hygiene trade account for exclusive pricing, fast delivery, and access to our full range of professional-grade school cleaning products.

Power Hygiene Expert Insights Team

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