Why Keeping Schools Clean Is So Important

Every day, hundreds of kids traipse through school halls on their way to class. They drop papers on floors, touch numerous door knobs with their hands, and sneeze on desks and tables. Not surprisingly, by the end of the day, a school is not a clean environment.

Cleaning up the mess may seem silly since the kids will just make another mess the next day. However, keeping schools clean is actually integral to the success and well-being of students.

Here is a more in-depth look at why keeping schools clean is so important.

Enhanced Learning

Of course, some people can study and work effectively with clutter surrounding them on all sides, but most people prefer a tidy, organized workspace. Students are no different. When the space is organized, students can think in a more organized manner, leading to enhanced learning.

A recent study conducted in Virginia highlighted the relationship between cleanliness and learning. The researchers polled college students, asking them which of four levels of cleanliness they preferred when learning.

Eighty-eight percent of students reportedly became distracted by moderate inattention to cleanliness in their learning environment. Simple things like unswept floors, buildup of dirt in corners, and smudge marks on surfaces were distracting.

So what level of cleanliness do students prefer? Eighty-four percent in the study sample preferred what the researchers called Orderly Spotlessness. The floors were shining clean, all surfaces were smudge- and dust-free, and trash cans contained only waste from that day. While this study was conducted on college students, it's safe to assume that younger students also learn better in a clean environment.

Fewer Cold and Flu Cases

The common cold and the flu can spread like wildfire through a school. Keeping the school clean can help slow the spread of illness and reduce the number of children who fall ill. The flu virus can live on surfaces for 48 hours after it is deposited, infecting students who touch that surface.

Simple cleaning and organization is not enough in this case; the cleaning staff must use disinfectant cleaners that kill germs on surfaces. They must also know which surfaces to target - primarily surfaces that are touched often, like desks, doorknobs, computer keyboards, and hands-on learning tools.

When students are better protected from the flu and the common cold, they are better able to learn and less likely to be absent from school.

Reduced Allergy and Asthma Symptoms

The number of students suffering from allergy and asthma symptoms has skyrocketed in recent years according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Many of these students are allergic or sensitive to dust mites, mold spores, and pollen. They have a difficult time learning when they develop itchy eyes and a runny nose while in school.

Regular, thorough cleaning keeps the levels of allergens down. This is especially true in older buildings where mold may be an issue.

Healthier Teachers

Students are not the only ones who benefit from a cleaner school environment. Teachers are also less likely to become ill in a clean school. They'll be better able to focus on their teaching work and less likely to suffer allergy symptoms too. Healthy, focused teachers do a better job of teaching and are less likely to miss work.

Teaching is a high-energy job, and a clean and healthy work environment helps balance out the stress that teachers experience.

Keeping schools clean is a simple way to enhance learning, improve job satisfaction for teachers, reduce illness, and fight allergy symptoms. If you are looking for a janitorial service to clean your Atlanta-area school, contact Janitorial Services Atlanta. Each of our employees have passed drug tests and background checks, and we pay close attention to infection control in school buildings.