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The Complete School Cleaning Checklist

A practical daily, weekly and monthly cleaning guide for New Zealand primary, intermediate and secondary schools

A clean school creates a healthier learning environment for students, teachers and visitors. Regular cleaning helps reduce the spread of illness, improves safety and creates a positive first impression for everyone entering your school.

Daily School Cleaning Checklist

Reception & Administration

☐ Vacuum or mop entrance floors

☐ Clean entrance doors and glass

☐ Wipe reception desk

☐ Clean reception counters

☐ Sanitise EFTPOS terminals and touchscreens

☐ Empty rubbish bins

☐ Restock hand sanitiser

☐ Remove fingerprints from doors and glass

☐ Check entrance mats

Classrooms

☐ Vacuum carpets

☐ Mop hard floors

☐ Wipe desks and tables

☐ Clean student chairs

☐ Wipe teacher desks

☐ Sanitise high-touch surfaces

☐ Empty rubbish bins

☐ Spot clean walls

☐ Clean whiteboards

☐ Organise classroom furniture

Staff Rooms

☐ Wipe benches

☐ Sanitise tables

☐ Clean sinks

☐ Empty rubbish bins

☐ Sweep and mop floors

☐ Restock paper towels

☐ Restock soap

☐ Clean microwave and fridge handles

School Library

☐ Vacuum floors

☐ Dust shelving

☐ Wipe desks and tables

☐ Clean computer workstations

☐ Sanitise keyboards and mice

☐ Empty rubbish bins

☐ Spot clean windows

Computer Rooms

☐ Dust workstations

☐ Sanitise keyboards

☐ Sanitise computer mice

☐ Wipe desks

☐ Vacuum floors

☐ Empty rubbish bins

☐ Clean touch screens

Science Laboratories

☐ Wipe benches

☐ Sanitise work surfaces

☐ Sweep and mop floors

☐ Empty rubbish bins

☐ Clean sinks

☐ Check chemical storage remains tidy

☐ Remove spills immediately

Technology & Art Rooms

☐ Sweep floors

☐ Mop where required

☐ Clean work benches

☐ Empty rubbish bins

☐ Remove dust

☐ Clean sinks

☐ Wipe shared equipment

School Hall & Assembly Areas

☐ Sweep floors

☐ Vacuum carpeted areas

☐ Mop entrances

☐ Clean seating

☐ Empty rubbish bins

☐ Clean stage access areas

☐ Sanitise handrails

Gymnasium

☐ Sweep sports floor

☐ Damp mop sports flooring

☐ Clean gym equipment

☐ Wipe benches

☐ Empty rubbish bins

☐ Clean drinking fountains

☐ Sanitise shared equipment

Student Toilets

☐ Clean toilets and urinals

☐ Sanitise toilet seats

☐ Clean basins

☐ Polish mirrors

☐ Refill soap dispensers

☐ Restock paper towels

☐ Refill toilet paper

☐ Mop floors

☐ Empty sanitary bins

☐ Check odours

Staff Toilets

☐ Clean toilets

☐ Clean basins

☐ Polish mirrors

☐ Restock consumables

☐ Mop floors

☐ Empty rubbish bins

Outdoor Areas

☐ Empty playground bins

☐ Sweep entrances

☐ Remove litter

☐ Clean outdoor seating

☐ Check drinking fountains

☐ Remove hazards

☐ Inspect covered walkways

Throughout the School Day

☐ Clean spills immediately

☐ Patrol toilets regularly

☐ Empty overflowing bins

☐ Restock soap and paper products

☐ Spot clean classrooms

☐ Sanitise high-touch surfaces

☐ Remove litter from playgrounds

☐ Record completed inspections

Weekly Cleaning Tasks

☐ Machine scrub hard floors

☐ Deep clean classrooms

☐ Wash desks and chairs

☐ Dust high surfaces

☐ Clean skirting boards

☐ Wash windows

☐ Shampoo entrance mats

☐ Deep clean staff room

☐ Deep clean library

☐ Clean lockers

☐ Wash rubbish bins

☐ Remove marks from walls

☐ Dust ventilation grilles

☐ Clean internal glass

☐ Deep clean gym equipment

Monthly Cleaning Tasks

☐ Deep clean carpets

☐ Pressure wash exterior paths where appropriate

☐ Machine scrub assembly halls

☐ Deep clean toilet blocks

☐ Clean ceilings and vents

☐ Inspect flooring

☐ Review cleaning chemical stock

☐ Inspect dispensers

☐ Service vacuum cleaners

☐ Service floor scrubbers

☐ Review cleaning procedures with staff

☐ Audit hygiene supplies

☐ Inspect emergency exits

☐ Review infection-control practices

School Cleaning & Hygiene Tips

✔ Encourage regular hand washing throughout the day.

✔ Increase cleaning during cold and flu season.

✔ Focus on frequently touched surfaces such as desks, door handles and railings.

✔ Empty bins before they overflow.

✔ Maintain fully stocked washrooms throughout the school day.

✔ Keep classrooms well ventilated wherever possible.

✔ Clean spills immediately to reduce slip hazards.

✔ Schedule deep cleaning during weekends and school holidays whenever practical.

✔ Use colour-coded cleaning equipment to reduce cross-contamination.

✔ Regularly inspect sports facilities and changing rooms.

Recommended Colour-Coding System

Red – Toilets and urinals

Yellow – Bathroom fittings and wash basins

Blue – Classrooms, offices and general school areas

Green – Staff kitchens, canteens and food preparation areas

Use separate cloths, mop heads and buckets for each area to minimise the risk of cross-contamination.

Recommended Cleaning Equipment