Cleaning Schedule for xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A clean to dirty work flow regime must be adhered to in all areas e.g. the hand basin should be cleaned before the toilet (NHSE 2007). If this principle is used then it is acceptable to use one disposable cloth per area 

Area to be cleaned	Cleaning procedure	Equipment required	Care of cleaning equipment after use	
Reception area
Carpets

Paint work

Chairs

	
Vacuum carpets daily

Remove dust from horizontal surfaces with damp cloth weekly

Weekly vacuum or damp dust according to fabric

	
Vacuum cleaner

Non-disposable cloth/neutral detergent and water

Vacuum cleaner or non-disposable cloth/neutral detergent and water
Bucket or sink and disposable cloth.	
Empty bag/cylinder as required
Rinse after each use and leave to dry
Launder once weekly.
As above

Dispose of cloth after use.
Store bucket dry 	
Toilets
Floor

Toilet

Wash basin

Waste bin

Clean after the treatment/clinical rooms with hot water and detergent daily

Clean the toilet seat, outer bowl and handles daily. Use a detergent solution or sanitizer. If a sanitizer is used on the seat, rinse off with water and detergent
Clean with a cream cleanser e.g. Cif or Super Ma and rinse daily
Remove disposable liner daily and dispose as household waste

	
Mop, bucket, neutral detergent

Disposable cloth

Disposable cloth

Nil	
Non-disposable mop heads must be laundered weekly or soaked in a 1000ppm solution of hypochlorite (bleach) then rinsed and stored with mop head upside down. Bucket should be washed with water and neutral detergent and dried. Store inverted.
Dispose after use

Dispose after use

Nil	
Treatment Room
Floor

Work surfaces

Hand basins/sinks

High surfaces e.g. curtain tracks, light fittings, cupboards
Screening curtains

Clean the area before non clinical areas using hot water and neutral detergent, daily

Clean surfaces with hot water and detergent solution daily
Daily clean with a cream cleanser and rinse
Clean surfaces with hot water and detergent solution weekly

Use an external contractor to launder 6 monthly

	

Mop and bucket

Disposable cloth

Disposable cloth

Disposable cloth

Nil	

Non-disposable mop heads must be laundered weekly or soaked in a 1000ppm solution of hypochlorite (bleach) then rinsed and stored with mop head upside down. Bucket should be washed with water and neutral detergent and dried. Store inverted.
Dispose of cloth after use

Dispose of cloth after use

Dispose of cloth after use

Nil	
Bedrooms
Floor
Horizontal surfaces

Hand basins

High surfaces

Curtains	
Vacuum carpets daily
Remove dust from horizontal surfaces using damp cloth daily or twice weekly
Daily clean with a cream cleanser and rinse
Clean surfaces with a detergent solution weekly
Use an external contractor to launder 6 monthly

	
Vacuum cleaner
Disposable cloth

Disposable cloth

Disposable cloth
Nil

Empty bag/cylinder
Dispose of cloth after use

Dispose of cloth after use

Dispose of cloth after use
Nil	
Type of body fluid	Cleaning procedure	Equipment required	Care of cleaning equipment after use	
Blood or body fluids containing blood	Use a solution of hypochlorite e.g. bleach, Milton, Haztabs or Presept at a strength of 10,000 ppm  = 1:10 solution. Ensure room is well ventilated, apply solution to spillage and leave for recommended time (usually 2 – 5 minutes). Use paper towels to remove spillage and dispose as clinical waste. Follow by washing area with hot water and neutral detergent.
	Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
•	Disposable gloves
•	Disposable aprons
•	Paper towels
•	Mop and bucket
•	Clinical waste bag	Dispose of paper towels as clinical waste
Mop heads should be washed in hot water and neutral detergent and laundered after use. If unable to launder, soak in hypochlorite (10,000ppm bleach) solution for 30 minutes and rinse.
Store mop upside down, wash the bucket with hot water and neutral detergent,  dry and store inverted	
Urine, vomit and faeces	Clean area with hot water and neutral detergent	Mop and bucket	Mop heads should be washed in hot water and neutral detergent. Store mop upside down. Wash the bucket with hot water and neutral detergent; dry and store inverted	

Clean, safe premises are an essential component of quality health care and are of increasing importance to patients and the public. Good housekeeping and a clean and tidy environment reflect the standards of care maintained in health care premises and are important in securing and maintaining public confidence in the service we provide.

Primary care is subject to the same infection control regulations as other parts of the Health Service. General Practitioners have a statutory duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) to create a safe environment. 

Colour Code for Hygiene (NHSE) 2007
The issue of a standard colour code for cleaning services in the NHS has been discussed for a long time. The following table represents current recommendations.
1.	The aim of a colour coding system is to prevent cross contamination
2.	It is vital that such a system forms part of employee induction or continuous training programme and colour identification testing should take place at this time to detect colour blindness.
3.	The colour coding system must relate to all cleaning equipment, cloths and gloves.

Monitoring of the system should be continuous.