Good Old Fashion Cleaning and Disinfecting Helps Reduce the Spread of Germs
Keeping your daycare clean and in order is very important for health, safety, and the mental stability of the children you care for. One of the most important steps in reducing the number of germs is thorough cleaning of all surfaces. Surfaces most likely to be contaminated with germs are those with which the children come in close contact with. These include toys that children put in their mouths, crib rails, food preparation areas, and surfaces likely to become very riddled with germs, such as diaper-changing areas. Any glass surfaces like windows, television screens, etc should be kept clean at all times as well.
Daily routine cleaning with soap and water is in my opinion the best method for removing germs from surfaces in the your daycare. Good old fashion physical down on your hands and knees cleaning reduces the numbers of germs from the surface, just as hand washing reduces the numbers of germs from the hands. I recommend washing hands several times per day for all children in your care and of course your own hands as well (keep a bottle of lotion handy to prevent drying out). Even babies should have their hands constantly wiped with a clean cloth.
Removing germs in your daycare is especially important for soiled surfaces which cannot be treated with chemical disinfectants, such as some upholstery fabrics. I cover all fabrics with machine washable covers in my home daycare so that only the cover needs to be washed daily. Anyway you choose to keep your fabrics clean is up to you just as long as they are clean.
Some toys and surfaces should be disinfected to kill germs after cleaning with soap and and rinsing with clear water. Items that can be washed in a dishwasher or hot cycle of a washing machine do not have to be disinfected because these machines use water that is hot enough for a long enough period of time to kill most germs. The disinfection process uses chemicals that are stronger than soap and water.
Proper disinfection also requires soaking or drenching the item for several minutes to give the chemical time to kill the remaining germs. Commercial products that meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) standards for “hospital grade” solutions may be used.
One of the most commonly used chemicals for disinfection in a daycare is a homemade solution of household bleach and water. Bleach is cheap and easy to get. The solution of bleach and water is easy to mix, is nontoxic, is safe if handled properly, and kills most infectious agents. I personally use bleach and water all day long. I have some droolers in my daycare so I like to wipe consistently all day long to help reduce the risk of spreading germs.
Homemade Recipe for Clean Solutions
Bleach-based
Combine ¼ cup bleach with 1 gallon water (1 Tablespoon bleach in 1 quart water). Mop or wipe with cloth dipped in solution. Allow to air dry.
Vinegar-based
Place full strength white distilled vinegar in labeled spray bottle. Spray on cleaned surfaces. Allow to air dry or stand for at least 30 seconds before wiping dry with disposable paper towel.
IMPORTANT!
Label all bottles with content solutions
Make new bleach and vinegar solutions daily
Store in a cool place away from children
Safety is Always a Priority!
Be aware that some infectious agents are not killed by bleach. For example, cryptosporidia is only killed by ammonia or hydrogen peroxide.
It's also important to note that a solution of bleach and water loses its strength very quickly and easily. It is weakened by organic material, evaporation, heat, and sunlight. Therefore, bleach solution should be mixed fresh each day to make sure it is effective. Any leftover solution should be discarded at the end of the day. NEVER mix bleach with anything but fresh tap water! Other chemicals may react with bleach and create and release a toxic chlorine gas.
Keep the bleach solution you mix each day in a cool place out of direct sunlight and out of the reach of children. (Although a solution of bleach and water mixed as shown in the accompanying box should not be harmful if accidentally swallowed, you should keep all chemicals away from children.)
If you use a commercial (brand-name) disinfectant, read the label and always follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly.
Sanitizing Tips for your Home Daycare
Kitchen drain
Pour a cup of white distilled vinegar down the drain once a week. Let stand 30 minutes,
then flush with cold water.
Garbage disposal
Keep clean and odor free with frozen vinegar cubes. Fill an ice tray with white distilled
vinegar, then freeze. Run several cubes down the disposal while flushing with cold water.
Refrigerator
Make a solution of equal parts water and white distilled vinegar. Use to wipe down
refrigerator surfaces. Rinse with clear water.
Microwave
Mix ½ cup white distilled vinegar and ½ cup of water in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave
on High for 2 minutes. Baked-on food will loosen and odors will disappear. Wipe clean.
Dish cloths, sponges and plastic scrubbers
The safest way to clean surfaces is with a disposable wipe, paper towel, or cloth that can
be replaced daily. If you use sponges or plastic scrubbers, frequent cleaning is required for
safety. Run daily through normal dishwashing cycle using dry cycle; replace monthly.
Change dish cloths and towels daily- launder in washing machine using hot water.
Bathrooms
Close the toilet lid before you flush to keep microbes in toilet bowl from splashing out. Use bleach or vinegar solutions to sanitize.
Doorknobs
Spray or wipe with “bathroom surfaces” bleach or vinegar sanitizing solution. Let air dry.
Washing machine
Regularly wipe inside of tub with wet cloth soaked in solution of 1/2 hot water and 1/2 white vinegar. Wipe all inside surfaces, including bottom and blades of agitator and top of tub just under lid (using wire toilet brush around top rim and in hard-to-reach places). Remove dispensers and clean thoroughly before replacing.
Don't Forget to Disinfect
Pay Special Attention to Diaper Changing Areas!
Use the diapering area only for diapering!
• Changing surfaces should be washable, made of wipeable plastic or equipped with removable paper covers.
• After diapering…
– Use disposable paper towels or wipes to remove any visible soil from changing table.
– Dispose of paper towels, any gloves, wipes, diapers and table liner in a lined, tightly covered trash can.
– Wash hands thoroughly, after cleaning soiled
areas and before sanitizing.
• Apply disinfecting solution to entire changing surface
– Leave wet for 2 minutes
– Wipe with paper towels or allow to air dry
Daycare Tip
Clean your door knobs and light switches daily in your home daycare.
Daycare Tip
Those little fingers love to touch buttons don't they? When was the last time you wiped off the buttons in your home daycare? The DVD player, the fan, the remote control, etc. Use a bleach sanitizing solution to wipe down buttons on a daily basis to help prevent the spread of bacteria and germs!
Daycare Tip
As a daycare provider your hands need to be washed constantly throughout the day and with the constant cleaning your hands tend to get dryed out if they're like mine, they crack and spilt. I find the best solution for preventing dry hands is to keep a pump bottle of lotion next to your hand washing station. Wash you hands, pat dry and apply lotion. Use a non-greasy formula and use a paper towel to wipe off any excess lotion before handling anything.
You should wash hands.....
• Before and after eating or handling food
• Before and after feeding a child
• Before and after diapering
• After handling or cleaning body fluids; after wiping noses, mouths, bottoms, sores.
• After handling or feeding pets
• After outdoor activities
• After using the toilet