How is a School Deep Clean Different from a Normal Clean?
Chris Lunn • July 19, 2021
Step-By-Step Guide to a School Deep Clean
Rapid Clean currently provides a cleaning service to around 200 education establishments in the south of England, many of which are schools. The majority of customers in this sector opt for a term-time contract with deep cleans during the school holidays. The amount of time allocated to deep cleans can be tailored to the building but is usually somewhere between 1 and 4 weeks of the usual weekly cleaning hours.
We are often asked what a school deep clean involves, so we thought it would be a good idea to share a blog post on the process.
Timing of a School Deep Clean
We prefer to do a deep clean when the school building is empty but can be flexible on the timing of it. We ask our customers to book in early to avoid disappointment (the last week of the school holidays is often popular!) but we try to accommodate where possible.
If any maintenance work is being carried out on site, which often happens during the holidays, then where possible, we will organise for the deep clean to take place after completion of works.
How is a Deep Clean Different to a Normal Clean?
Firstly, a deep clean is an intense clean with the equivalent of 1-4 weeks of cleaning all done at once. It is usually carried out by the regular cleaning team so that continuity and familiarity is maximised, however it is also common to involve additional staff with specialist experience.
As a deep clean is different to the team’s regular daily clean, the Contracts Manager is on site to ensure the cleaning staff have been fully briefed on all health and safety regulations, as well as being trained to work to Rapid Clean’s high standards.
To follow is the normal process of a school deep-clean:
1. Moving Obstructions
A
deep-clean is the perfect time to focus on areas that are normally hard to reach or are not in the regular cleaning schedule.
This will often involve moving furniture/obstructions that the team doesn’t usually have time to do e.g. chair stacks, bookcases, cabinets, desks.
2. Detail Dusting
The regular cleaning schedule does not usually include high and low-level dusting of all areas; this is what a deep clean is for.
The cleaning team will focus on completely dusting and sweeping every area that is not easily reached e.g. light fittings, tops of shelving, skirting boards, behind all obstructions. Extension poles will be used where required.
3. Cleaning and Disinfecting
Once a full dust has been carried out, all areas will be wiped down and cleaned using a disinfectant. This will include table and chair legs, vision panels and partitioning.
Particular attention is paid to high touch points e.g. door handles, taps, toilet flushes, light switches etc.
4. Focus on Floors
A thorough floor clean can completely transform a school! Once swept clear of all debris, floors will be scrubbed using a scrubber/dryer machine.
Any carpet cleans or strip and seals of wood flooring, are carried out at an additional cost.
Where possible, the deep clean is checked by management before putting the classrooms back to how they should be, all ready for a new school term.
You can see the before and after photographs of a deep clean here.
Compliance with the latest National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2025 is now mandatory across all healthcare environments. From GP surgeries and care homes, to hospitals and clinics, maintaining exceptional cleanliness standards is essential for infection prevention, patient safety, inspection compliance, and public confidence. At Rapid Clean, we work closely with healthcare facilities to ensure cleaning programmes fully align with NHS requirements. Using the NHS cleaning policy template, we conduct regular audits and collaboratively determine cleaning frequencies and methods through the Functional Risk (FR) category system . Our teams are fully trained in accordance with NHS guidance, including COSHH regulations and the hierarchy of controls , giving healthcare providers peace of mind that their environments are cleaned safely, effectively, and compliantly.
Learn how hybrid working is changing office cleaning requirements and why flexible cleaning is essential for maintaining workplace hygiene and consistent standards.
Discover why consistency is essential in commercial cleaning services and how reliable cleaning standards support workplace presentation and business operations.
We are delighted to announce the Rapid Superstar for Q1 2026, alongside a number of fantastic nominees and runners-up who have all demonstrated exceptional dedication and professionalism.
Discover what gym members expect from cleaning standards and how professional cleaning services help maintain a safe, hygienic, and high-quality fitness environment.
Discover how professional healthcare cleaning supports infection control, patient confidence, and calm, well-maintained medical environments.
