by
Lawton Brothers
| Aug 07, 2025
As summer winds down and students, teachers, and staff prepare to return to the classroom, facility teams face a crucial responsibility: ensuring that schools are clean, sanitized, and ready for a healthy academic year.
Classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, and restrooms all experience a surge in foot traffic during back-to-school season. Without proper cleaning protocols in place, germs, allergens, and even pests can quickly compromise the health and safety of students and staff.
At Lawton Bros., we specialize in supporting educational facilities with customized cleaning solutions and protocols designed to reduce illness, minimize absences, and promote a productive learning environment. In this blog, we’ll share key strategies and actionable tips to help your custodial team prepare for a clean, safe start to the school year.
Why Back-to-School Cleaning Is Critical
The start of the school year brings together hundreds or even thousands of individuals in enclosed indoor spaces. This increases the risk of:
Germ transmission, especially in younger age groups
Allergy flare-ups due to dust, mold, and pollen buildup over summer
Respiratory issues, worsened by poor indoor air quality
Insect and rodent infestations, as pests seek food, moisture, and shelter
Thorough cleaning and disinfection protocols are essential to reduce these risks and foster a healthy school environment from day one.
Essential Back-to-School Cleaning Strategies
1. Deep Clean Classrooms, Restrooms, and Common Areas
Before students arrive, conduct a full top-to-bottom cleaning of all spaces. Focus on removing dust, dirt, and allergens that may have built up over summer.
What to do:
Dust all surfaces, including blinds, windowsills, vents, and ceiling fans
Clean and disinfect desks, chairs, shelves, and whiteboards
Sanitize door handles, light switches, and shared classroom tools
Scrub and disinfect restroom fixtures, walls, and floors
Deep clean gymnasiums, libraries, and locker rooms
Lawton Bros Tip:
We offer EPA-approved disinfectants ideal for schools, including fragrance-free and low-residue options for sensitive environments.
2. Implement Daily Disinfection of High-Touch Surfaces
Even after the school year starts, consistent cleaning remains key. High-touch surfaces harbor viruses and bacteria that can quickly spread.
Daily cleaning checklist:
Doorknobs and push bars
Handrails and stairwell banisters
Faucet handles and flush levers
Cafeteria tables and lunch trays
Shared electronics (keyboards, tablets, printers)
Lawton Bros Tip:
Use disinfectant wipes or sprays with rapid kill times to make between-class sanitizing fast and effective.
3. Focus on Floor Care to Improve Air Quality
Clean floors are more than just aesthetic—they also impact indoor air quality. Dust, pollen, and germs settle into floor surfaces and are easily kicked back into the air.
Floor care recommendations:
Vacuum carpets daily with HEPA-filtered vacuums
Use microfiber mops to trap particles more effectively
Auto-scrub hard floors at least 2–3 times per week
Spot-clean spills and scuff marks immediately
Lawton Bros Tip:
Ask us about low-odor floor finishes and neutral cleaners safe for use around children.
4. Restock and Maintain Hand Hygiene Stations
Proper hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent illness in schools. Ensure all soap and sanitizer dispensers are filled and functioning before students return.
Best practices:
Place hand sanitizer stations at entrances, classrooms, cafeterias, and gyms
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol
Encourage handwashing before meals and after restroom use
Display posters reminding students of proper handwashing steps
Lawton Bros Tip:
We offer foam and gel hand sanitizer options, including refillable dispensers that reduce waste.
5. Prepare for Flu and Cold Season Early
Flu season can start as early as September. Prepare now by implementing preventive disinfection practices and training your team on rapid response to illness outbreaks.
Preparation checklist:
Stock up on disinfectants and PPE (gloves, masks)
Establish protocols for cleaning after a confirmed illness case
Identify high-risk zones like nurse’s offices and special ed classrooms
Increase disinfection frequency during outbreaks
Lawton Bros Tip:
Talk to us about our infection control kits—customized for school settings and compliant with CDC guidelines.
Train Custodial Staff on Updated Protocols
Your cleaning team is on the front lines of student safety. Make sure they’re equipped with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to maintain high cleaning standards all year long.
Training tips:
Conduct refresher sessions before the school year begins
Emphasize proper chemical usage and dwell times
Encourage consistent use of PPE
Review response plans for spills, accidents, and illness-related cleanups
Lawton Bros Tip:
We offer on-site training, cleaning audits, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to support your staff year-round.
Build a Back-to-School Cleaning Calendar
Having a structured cleaning plan helps teams stay consistent and accountable. Here’s a sample cleaning schedule to get your facility off on the right foot:
Daily Tasks
Disinfect door handles, desks, and restroom surfaces
Empty and reliner trash cans
Sweep and mop classrooms, hallways, and cafeterias
Spot-clean glass, walls, and whiteboards
Refill hand soap and sanitizer dispensers
Weekly Tasks
Auto-scrub tile floors and gymnasium surfaces
Clean windows, blinds, and vents
Deep clean nurse’s stations and locker rooms
Power wash outdoor entryways
Sanitize cafeteria trays and carts
Monthly Tasks
Inspect and replace HVAC filters
Deep clean carpets and upholstery
Audit inventory of cleaning supplies and PPE
Conduct facility-wide inspection for pest or moisture issues
Provide refresher training for custodial staff
Let Lawton Bros Help You Start the School Year Strong
With the right protocols, products, and training, your school can open its doors with confidence—knowing it’s safe, sanitary, and ready for learning. Whether you're managing a single campus or a district-wide network, Lawton Bros is here to support your cleaning goals.
📞 Call us today at 800-432-0813 or browse our online catalog to build your back-to-school cleaning program.
Stay clean. Stay prepared. Start smart with Lawton Bros.