How often should schools be cleaned? A complete guide for UK schools

Maintaining a clean and safe learning environment is one of the most important responsibilities for any school in the UK. With hundreds (or thousands) of pupils and staff passing through classrooms, corridors, toilets and dining areas every day, germs, dirt and allergens can build up quickly. Regular professional cleaning isn’t just about appearance – it directly supports pupil and staff wellbeing, reduces illness-related absences, and helps schools meet Ofsted and HSE expectations.

So, how often should a school actually be cleaned? The answer depends on usage, risk level and the specific area of the building, but here is the recommended cleaning schedule that most UK schools follow (and that meets current health & safety guidelines).

Recommended School Cleaning Frequency

Area	Recommended Frequency	Key Tasks
Classrooms	Daily + weekly deep clean	Empty bins, vacuum/sweep & mop floors, wipe desks & high-touch surfaces, clean whiteboards, dust shelves
Toilets & washrooms	2–3 times daily + full daily disinfection	Replenish soap & paper, clean & disinfect toilets, urinals, sinks, mirrors, floors and doors
Corridors & staircases	Daily + weekly damp mopping	Sweep/vacuum, spot-clean marks, mop hard floors, clean handrails & light switches
Dining halls & kitchens	Daily + deep clean after every service	Clear tables, sweep & mop floors, sanitise surfaces, empty food waste, deep clean kitchens commercially
Gymnasiums & sports halls	Daily light clean + weekly/fortnightly deep clean	Sweep/vacuum, mop sports floors, clean changing rooms, sanitise equipment
Reception & admin areas	Daily	Vacuum/mop floors, dust reception desk, clean glass doors, empty bins
Science labs & art rooms	Daily + specialist weekly clean	Wipe down benches, safely dispose of materials, disinfect sinks, mop floors
Outdoor playgrounds & entrances	Weekly or fortnightly (weather dependent)	Litter picking, pressure washing hard surfaces, emptying external bins
Full school deep clean	Every school holiday (especially summer)	Carpet cleaning, high-level dusting, window cleaning, floor stripping & sealing, full disinfection

Why Daily Cleaning Is Non-Negotiable

According to Public Health England and HSE guidance, high-touch surfaces in schools can harbour viruses and bacteria for up to 72 hours. Daily cleaning (especially toilets, door handles, desks and light switches) dramatically reduces the spread of norovirus, flu, and other common illnesses. Many schools have seen absence rates drop by 20–30% after switching from part-time caretakers to professional daily cleaning contracts.

The Role of Holiday Deep Cleans

The long summer break (6–8 weeks) is the perfect time for intensive cleaning that can’t be done while pupils are present:

Professional carpet & upholstery cleaning
High-level dusting and cobweb removal
Internal & external window cleaning
Floor stripping, sealing and buffing
Full sanitisation of furniture and fixtures

A thorough summer deep clean extends the life of your fixtures and gives the school a fresh, welcoming feel in September.

Spark Cleaning Services – Your Trusted School Cleaning Partner in the South East

Based in Surrey, Spark Cleaning Services has been helping schools across London, Surrey, Sussex and the South East stay spotless and safe since 2008. We specialise in education cleaning and understand the unique needs of nurseries, primary schools, secondary schools and colleges.

Why schools choose Spark:

All staff are DBS-enhanced checked and fully trained in child-safe cleaning
Colour-coded, school-specific equipment to prevent cross-contamination
Eco-friendly, COSHH-compliant products that are tough on germs but gentle on children
Flexible daily, evening or holiday contracts – no disruption to lessons
Transparent pricing and detailed cleaning checklists for every visit
100% satisfaction guarantee – if something isn’t right, we return within 24 hours free of charge