Cleaning and disinfection checklist

Commonly touched surfaces and items should be cleaned and disinfected frequently (e.g. at least once a day) to limit the potential spread of germs. When the setting is experiencing an outbreak, cleaning and disinfection of these surfaces and items is required more often (refer to Outbreaks in Child Care Setting page for more information). Develop a checklist specific to your facility, using this checklist as a guide. Remember to always work from clean areas to dirty areas. If using household bleach solutions, please see the household bleach solution table as a reference on how to prepare bleach solutions for sanitizing or disinfection of specific surfaces and items .

General areas:

  • Door knobs/frames/handles/other frequently touched areas on the door
  • Locker doors/cubby holes/storage bins for children
  • Desks/tables/chairs/counter tops
  • Hand railings
  • Light switches
  • Water fountains
  • Elevator buttons
  • Shared equipment (such as toys, sports equipment and musical instruments after each use, computer keyboards and mice, etc.)
  • Telephones/faxes/photocopiers/intercoms
  • Play areas and toy storage areas
  • Floors (especially where children play on them)

Kitchen/staff room:

  • Food preparation areas and equipment
  • Counter tops
  • Fridge handles
  • Microwaves
  • Coffee pots/kettles
  • Tables/chairs

Child and staff washrooms:

  • Stall door edges and locks
  • Coat hooks
  • Sanitary napkin dispensers
  • Paper towel dispensers
  • Soap dispensers
  • Taps/faucets
  • Flush handles
  • Toilet seats
  • Toilet bowls and urinals

Important points to remember:

  • Use single use cloths or disposable paper towels to clean sinks and toilets/urinals
  • Ensure an adequate supply of paper towels and soap
  • Do not top up partially empty dispensers; once empty, containers should be cleaned, disinfected, dried, and then refilled
  • Soap/detergent must be rinsed off prior to disinfection
  • Follow instructions. It might be tempting to mix cleaning products to make sure your facility is germ-free -- but don’t. Mixing some cleaners and disinfectants (like chlorine bleach and ammonia) can be harmful, even deadly. Others can irritate your eyes, nose, or throat and cause breathing problems.

For more information, call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744

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