Green Housekeeping Policy
Texas Foundation for Educational Advancement –
da Vinci Campus
September 1, 2010
STATEMENT OF INTENT:
Recognizing that young children interact with their environment in a manner that exposes them to environmental contaminants through their skin, mouth and air, and that young children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of chemicals and pollutants in the environment, The da Vinci School is committed the following goals:
· Maintain a clean and healthy environment for the children and adults who enter this facility
· Utilize cleaning products and procedures that are safe for the user, the building inhabitants and the environment,
· Preserve and protect the building materials so they retain their appearance for many years into the future without the need for resurfacing or disposal.
· Serve as a model for other schools, homes and businesses in how to maintain a clean and healthy environment for all.
· Create a cleaning guidelines document that is simple to read and execute and can be sent to others for general reference.
Methods:
· Retain and train our own cleaning and maintenance personnel so we have full oversight.
· Only purchase products that support our goals
· Use as few products as needed to accomplish the job in order for it to be as simple and straightforward as possible
· Review products and cleaning procedures on a regular basis as needed to ensure they are fully understood and streamlined
· Train all staff about approved products and procedures.
· Prohibit the introduction of unapproved cleaning products or chemicals into the environment by any staff member, parent or child.
· Use this document for staff distribution and to forward to other schools, businesses or individuals as requested. Post on website.
CLEANING PRODUCTS:
The following products are approved for use in cleaning at The da Vinci School. Periodically, there may be changes made in the specific products approved for use. These will be introduced at one of our regularly scheduled staff meetings along with the proper use instruction.
General Purpose Cleaners – to be used on classroom tables, chairs, floor surfaces, windowsills and window frames, doors, classroom materials such as puzzles, blocks, science equipment, etc. These can also be used on sinks, tile floors and to spot clean rugs.
- Seventh Generation Natural Multi-surface Cleaner Concentrate(Fragrance free) – 1.5 – 2 tbs of concentrate to a quart of water
- Biokleen All Purpose Cleaner (Concentrated formula mixed 4 tablespoons with 1 gallon of water or 1 tbs with 1 quart of water)
- Vinegar/ water – 1 /4 cup white vinegar to 1 quart of water
Carpet stains /Paint/Adhesives/ Crayon
1. Enviro-Magic Supra Citra Super Cleaner– concentrate mixed with water to a 30:1 solution. This is a wonderful spot cleaner for paint stains on carpets or floor, and to remove adhesives from tape, crayon marks and marker stains. For more stubborn stains, a more concentrated solution may be required.
- Do not use on the cork floors on any regular basis.
- Do not allow a concentrated solution to sit on any painted or finished wood surface as the citrus acts as a natural stripper
2. Vinegar/ water – spray a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water on the stain and allow it to sit for several minutes. Clean with a brush or blot with sponge or terry cloth towel.
Disinfecting
OxivirTb RTU – is premixed and can be used on most hard surfaces. Apply solution by spray, cloth or disposable wipe. Surface must remain wet for one minute. Wipe surface dry or allow to air dry.
This product is highly effective against a wide variety of pathogenic microorganisms including bacteria, antibiotic resistant bacteria, viruses and fungi.
*Food surfaces must be rinsed with clean water so product does not get into food.
Hand Soap
Green Personal Care Cleaner (a neo-Life product) This product is fragrance free and is in all liquid soap dispensers throughout the building.
a. Please instruct children to use one squirt of soap and one paper towel.
Stainless Steel
- Vinegar - apply undiluted white vinegar directly to a soft, clean cloth and wipe in the direction of the grain of the stainless steel. Wipe dry with clean cloth.
- Water – apply to a soft cloth and clean in the direction of the grain of the steel.
- To disinfect an area – spray with OxivirTb first and allow it to stay wet for one full minute before wiping dry.
Drain Cleaner
- Biokleen Bac-Out Drain Care – As a maintenance, pour ¼ cup in drain and let sit over night to keep drains clean and unclogged.
If drain becomes clogged, use 1/3 cup every night for 3 nights.
- Vinegar and baking soda- Place ½ cup of baking soda in drain and pour ½ cup of vinegar until it bubbles. Allow to sit and rinse with boiling water after 15 minutes.
- Use a drain strainer in the drain at all times to prevent food scraps from going down the drain. Food also builds up phosphates in the water system.
b. Never pour grease down a drain; pour it into a designed jar, can or waste bag.
Glass and Mirror Cleaner
Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar in 1 quart of warm water. Use cotton cloth to clean.
a. If you clean glass when the sun is shining on it or it is hot, streaks will form.
b. NOTE: be sure to follow this recipe as too strong of a vinegar solution will etch and cloud glass over time.
Clothes Washer/ Dryer
Seventh Generation 2x Concentrated Laundry Detergent Free and Clear – HE –
This product is formulated to work in cold water.
a. Use 1.5 oz for a medium load (Line 1 on accompanying cup) or
b. 2.2 oz for heavy duty washing needs (Line 3 on accompanying cup)
c. Buy the largest size container possible. Rinse and recycle container when empty.
d. No fabric softener needed; use a wrinkle release setting to soften cloths and reduce wrinkles.
Automatic Dish washer
Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwashing Detergent – Free and Clear
a. Wash when there is a full load of dishes.
Dish Washing
1. Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid – Free and Clear
2. Biokleen Dishwashing Liquid (concentrated)
a. Use sparingly. Turn water off until ready to rinse.
b. Scrape off excess food into trash or compost before washing dishes
c. Never pour grease down a sink drain; remove it to a jar, can or bag designated for this purpose.
d. If scouring is needed, use baking soda directly; scrub with a damp sponge.
e. Alternatively, a small amount of Bon Ami cleanser can be used.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Vinegar, baking soda and toilet brush
a. Mix ¼ cup baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar into toilet bowl.
b. Allow this to sit for a few minutes
c. Scrub with brush and flush
Tile Bathroom floors
Bathroom floors will be swept or vacuumed and steam cleaned.
Floors can be mopped using a sponge mop and one of the following:
a. General purpose cleaning products,
b. Enviro- Magic Supra-Citra
c. Vinegar and Water
d. OxivirTb for disinfecting
Paper Products
Paper Towels and toilet paper should contain a high recycled content, and no fragrance.
NOTE: There are several acceptable Green Seal Certified cleaning and paper product options available in the commercial market place. Fragrance free products can be selected from this list. We choose products that are available to the general public for home use.
CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROVIDED
The da Vinci School seeks to make our cleaning and maintenance processes as simple, convenient and user-friendly as possible. The following items are provided by the school. Additional equipment may be added to the list as the need presents itself.
Microfiber dust mops
Microfiber wet mops
Brooms
Dust pans and brushes
High filtration vacuum cleaners – Filter Queen and Riccar
Steam mop
Large push dust mops for halls
Sponge mops
Microfiber window cleaning wands and squeegees
Reusable spray bottles for all cleaning solutions
Buckets
Microfiber cloths for general cleaning, stainless steel
Cotton terrycloth wash cloths and towels
Washer and dryer
Dish washer (2)
Disposable paper towels
Rolling trash barrel
Rolling supply cart
All cleaning products are provided by the school
PROHIBITED PRODUCTS
The Texas Foundation for Educational Advancement – da Vinci Campus does not allow the introduction of harmful chemicals or products into the school facility.
All products used must be within allowable limits for safety around small children. Acceptable sources are Green Seal and Green Guard certified products. Others will be considered following research into its safety.
The following is a list of items that may not be brought into or used in or around the facility without specific approval from the Facilities Manager and the Director:
Paints (except watercolors and water based tempera)
Spray paints, adhesives or fixatives
Glues (except those specifically designed for use by children)
Wood sealers, stains or finishes (we have approved products)
Standard carpets and rugs – even those typically found in educational settings
Paint or metal strippers
Fragranced products (except flowers)
Gasoline or similar petroleum based product including propane
Pesticides, synthetic fertilizer or herbicides
Potting soils that contain plant fertilizers
Cleaning agents other than those approved
Waxes
Most soft vinyl products
Drain cleaning chemicals; oven cleaners
Chlorine-based products including bleach
OSB, particle board or other composite wood product that is held together with urea or phenol formaldehyde adhesives
Deodorizers and air fresheners (except baking soda, vinegar, lemons or oranges)
Dry cleaning chemicals
Moth balls
Items made with paint pre-1978 which may contain lead
Mold or mildew cleaners or inhibitors
Any solvent-based product including adhesive and stain removers
Petroleum based solvents
Phenol-based products and surfactants
Products containing butyl chemicals
*If there is an ingredient that is unfamiliar or difficult to pronounce, approval must be made. When in doubt, ask.
If at some time it is necessary to use a product that will contaminate the air, it can only be done at a time when children and adults will not be present for a period of time needed to outgas the environment, when windows can be opened and/or the work can be sectioned off from the area occupied by children or employees.
PROCEDURES:
***All cleaning products, regardless of their intrinsic safety, must be stored out of the reach of children at all times.
· Classrooms –
1. Teachers must store cleaning products in the high cabinets behind closed doors at all times.
a. The following products should be kept in your classroom at all times: General Cleaning solution, Seventh Generation All Purpose Cleaner for floor, OxivirTb RTU for disinfecting and Oxivir Wipes.
b. To refill your supply, go to the utility supply closet located by the restrooms in the administration wing or see the Facilities Manager.
2. Cleaning of tables with a general purpose cleaning product can be done as needed while the children our present to clean up spills, paints and glue; etc. Children are not to use the cleaning products.
3. Return immediately to closed cabinet.
4. Children may be provided with small spray bottles marked and filled with water only to teach them how to clean up after themselves.
5. Cleaning of classroom surfaces is done with a paper towel, which is disposed of in the classroom trash can.
6. Disinfecting of table, chair and teaching surfaces using a hydrogen peroxide product is done daily after the children have left the room.
7. If there are children showing signs of possible contagious symptoms, midmorning cleaning of environmental surfaces is encouraged provided the children are not in the room at the time.
8. Teachers are to sweep their classroom floors daily using a broom, high filtration vacuum or microfiber mop. Cork floors are to be spot cleaned as needed each day using a cloth or mop dampened with water or mild general purpose cleaner.
9. Once weekly as scheduled turn chairs upside down on table so housekeeping can thoroughly mop floor.
10. Classroom area rugs are to be shaken out and/or vacuumed daily to eliminate particulates and dust from accumulating in the classrooms.
11. Classroom materials are cleaned off as needed or at the end of every week before being returned to the resource library. Cleaning products can be a general purpose cleaner or the Oxivir Tb hydrogen peroxide disinfectant.
12. Children are to be instructed on an ongoing basis to sort trash from items that can be recycled.
13. Food and beverage containers need to be rinsed off and shaken dry before adding them to the recycling bin.
14. Shelves, windowsills and cubbies are wiped clean with a damp cloth, general purpose cleaner, and dried as needed to avoid build up of dust and finger prints.
15. Classroom trashcans should have a disposable liner. This should be emptied daily as it will contain lunch waste.
16. Restroom trashcans can remain unlined as they typically just hold paper towels. This can be consolidated into the classroom trash can daily or as needed.
17. Trashcans should be washed and sanitized periodically.
· Additional Teacher responsibilities
1. Daily –
a. Place water pitcher and empty snack container on designated cart
b. Place trash bag outside of classroom door for collection
c. Wash any additional dishes or cook wear that you used for classroom experiments or activities
Wipe out excess substances before washing
Place dishes in the dishwasher if appropriate
Never put plaster, dirt, sand, glue, or modge podge down the drain; dispose of these in the trash.
d. If you ate lunch or used a coffee or tea cup during the day, please clean up after yourself
Place cups, dishes in dishwasher or wash by hand.
2. Avoid use of fragranced products including wearing perfume or cologne.
3. Do not purchase or use any products that contain harmful fumes like dry erase markers, rugs typically marketed for children that are made from harmful materials that outgas for an extended period of time such as olefin, recycled tire products, flame retardant chemicals (unless required by law; seek California Standards), spray adhesives, fixatives, wood sealers and paints. If you feel you should need any such items for a project, please see the Facilities Manager for a list of approved products.