Cleaning Procedure for Care Homes

A carefully designed residential cleaning schedule, along with the right products, provides many health benefits, including reducing indoor air pollution, enhancing well-being and, most importantly, it lessens the risk of spreading germs throughout a care home.

Common illnesses like stomach bugs, flu and the common cold for some residents can develop to become more serious which is why it is important to adopt an effective cleaning procedure to minimise these risks. Doing so may also help to reduce symptoms of allergies, such as asthma, by removing dirt that can trigger attacks.

As well as this; fresh, clean fabrics and furnishings create a happier, healthier and more inviting living space, helping to create a pleasant, home from home feeling.

This blog post is in no way an exhaustive list of do’s and don’ts as all care home are different in terms of size or the facilities and services on offer. Instead, we have put together our recommendations for dealing with common cleaning tasks which may help when putting together your own cleaning and maintenance plan.

Spillages

Water or spilt drinks present a slip hazard, especially on hard surfaces in bathrooms, kitchens and corridors. These should always be dealt with as soon as possible, ensuring wet areas are well fenced off and slip hazard warning signs are in place.

Body fluids are a source of infectious micro-organisms (bacteria, viruses and fungi). The main risk is infection following hand to mouth/nose/eye contact so adhering to the correct cleaning procedure is essential. All staff should be well trained in the cleaning of infectious material and it is always safe to assume that any surface contacted by bodily fluids immediately becomes a contaminated and highly contagious area.

A spill clean-up product is useful to have in your cleaning kit. Made for liquid spillages this advanced clean up solution starts out as a powdery substance but once applied to any liquid, it transforms to a solid gel. This not only stops the spillage from spreading, it also helps to control the area and allows spillages to be removed using a scraper/brush and pan set.

Note: If the spillage is infectious material, always follow your on-site instructions for cleaning and always wear appropriate PPE and ensure all contaminated waste is disposed of correctly.

Washrooms

Many of us judge the overall cleanliness of a property by the standard of their washroom. Residents as well as visitors will appreciate a high quality of cleanliness not only in private but public washrooms too.

A good range of products to tackle all cleaning tasks in the washroom not only saves time and money but also space in storage cupboards.

A washroom cleaning kit should include a multi-surface biological washroom cleaner to break down and remove dirt and unpleasant odours as well as an environmentally responsible limescale remover and long-lasting toilet cleaner.

Carpets

The cleaning of carpets is straightforward and easy with the right products and methods. Carpets require vacuuming daily to remove buildup of everyday dust and dirt so invest in a quality, high efficiency vacuum cleaner like the  Lindhaus  Dynamic380e.

All carpets in a care home also require regular, scheduled deep cleaning as well as spot cleaning following a spillage. Following a well thought out proactive carpet cleaning plan will eliminate malodour whilst keeping carpet pile free from dust, allergens and germs.

When it comes to cleaning carpets in care homes, detergent and water may not be the best option. Firstly, drying time and moving furniture can disrupt daily routines but also because applying water to deep, embedded odour-causing dirt can spread the mess into the underlay or further around a room. Therefore, the best recommendation we can give is to use a dry carpet cleaning system to control the clean and eliminate any risks of damp and mildew.

General Cleaning

An effective care home cleaning policy will ensure that all worktops, floors and equipment are clean and sanitary, and that all staff have the information and products required to maintain excellent standards and promote infection control.

A good anti-bacterial multi-purpose cleaner is a must – suitable for all washable surfaces including upholstery, floors, surface tops and equipment. Along with this, it is equally important to regularly use an effective odour remover. Many deodorisers are simply a mix of water and fragrance which does nothing except temporarily mask smells. Always look for a biological odour eliminator, as not only are they free from harsh ingredients, they also completely eliminate odour by breaking down and removing the source. A product like  Pro 39 Odour Eliminator  is perfect for care homes and is suitable for use on virtually any indoor and outdoor surface, so you can safely use it during every day cleans, when treating odourous spillages or for the general freshening up of a room.

Key advice

• Always wear Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) such as gloves, apron or eye protection when cleaning.
• Treat all bodily fluids, including vomit, faeces, and blood as infectious material.
• Avoid strongly scented products to minimise the risk of irritating residents.
• Cleaning or disinfection is essential but avoid using harsh chemicals – these can contain toxic ingredients that can have a negative impact on the health of you residents and staff.
• Dispose of all contaminated waste correctly – if regulated waste call your environment agency for collection.
• When cleaning, work from the cleanest area towards the dirtiest area – this greatly reduces the risk of cross contamination.

Recommended products

Cleantec protect Anti-Bacterial Multi-Purpose Sanitiser   kills 99.99% of harmful bacteria and viruses.

Pro 42 Biological Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner   contains a live, biological formulation which penetrates deep into the fibres of carpets and fabrics to remove stubborn soiling and provide superior odour elimination results.

Pro 39 Odour Eliminator   is a unique, environmentally responsible formulation designed to completely eliminate odours from virtually any care home surface. The odour encapsulation technology binds and traps odours on contact whilst the live, probiotic formulation breaks them down to remove malodour at the source. Highly effective on pungent odours on both hard and soft surfaces including carpets, upholstery and wipe clean furniture.

Envirodri Dry Carpet Cleaning System   is one of the most effective ways to deep clean carpets. This water-free method is ideal for quickly cleaning a resident’s room or common area following a spillage through to scheduled deep cleaning. As there is no added water, carpets can be in use both during and immediately after cleaning. Plus, by not using water to clean you eliminate the risk of damp, mould and mildew that wet cleaning can introduce to an environment.

If you would like to discuss introducing the range of Envirodri products to your care home, or would like a demonstration of our dry carpet cleaning system please contact us and a member of our team will respond to you shortly.