5 Ways to Keep Your Daycare's Carpet Fresh Between Steam Cleanings

In any daycare, there's nothing more important than child health and safety. One key way to ensure a healthy environment in your daycare is by keeping your carpet clean. Since young children are still learning hygiene rules, daycare carpets are more likely to harbour dirt, allergens, and bacteria. Regular steam cleaning is the best way to keep those germs at bay, but what can you do to keep your carpet fresh between those cleanings? Here are five tips to try.

1. Start a 'shoes-off' policy

Encouraging both staff and children to remove their shoes when they enter the daycare is a great way to reduce the amount of dirt and germs tracked onto the carpet. When you implement a shoes-off policy, you'll have a lower buildup of grime and bacteria, helping your carpet last longer between cleanings. To make sure everyone follows this policy, set up designated shoe storage areas and offer the children indoor slippers or socks.

2. Clean spills quickly

Children create a lot of mess, and if you don't clean those spills before they stain, they'll quickly set into your carpet fibres. Make sure you have easily accessible cleaning kits with appropriate carpet cleaning solutions and materials, readily available for staff to use. Whenever they're faced with a juice, paint, food, or nappy spill, all they need to do is blot the area gently with a clean cloth, apply the cleaning solution according to the manufacturer's instructions, and dab the stain until it is fully removed.

3. Spot clean and vacuum

Likewise, vacuuming the carpet daily (particularly in high-traffic areas like play spots and entrances) will keep it much cleaner between steamings. Make sure to use a high-quality vacuum cleaner with HEPA filter to make sure you remove all allergens and pollutants from the carpet. Children have sensitive systems, so it's important to use a vacuum cleaner that's powerful enough to remove all the bacteria. In addition to daily vacuuming, incorporating spot cleaning into your janitorial routine with a mild, eco-friendly cleaning solution to address any stubborn dirt.

4. Use washable area rugs and mats

Placing washable area rugs and mats in high-traffic areas is an effective way to protect the underlying carpet and make maintenance easier. When these rugs soak up spills or stains, all you need to do is throw them into a washing machine. If you opt for budget-friendly options, you can even replace them if they become too stained. As an added bonus, they'll give your daycare space a touch of colour and warmth, making the environment even more comfortable.

5. Schedule more frequent cleaning

The truth is that many daycares simply don't get their carpets professionally cleaned as often as they should. While the above tips will go a long way in keeping your daycare fresh, they're no substitute for regular steam cleaning. Steam cleaning can improve air quality, reduce allergens, and create a more hygienic environment for children overall. Work with a trusted carpet steam cleaning company to determine an appropriate cleaning schedule based on your specific needs, including the age and number of children in your care.

For more information, contact a carpet steam cleaning service near you.

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