Deep Cleaning in Care Homes: Essential Tips for Best Practice

With vulnerable people residing in care homes, maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is paramount to prevent infections and ensure the safety and well-being of residents and staff alike. A deep cleaning schedule is an essential addition to your regular hygiene procedures, as it involves a thorough and systematic approach targeting high-touch surfaces, communal areas, and residents’ rooms. 

Deep cleaning helps eliminate pathogens, reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), and create a safe environment for residents who have ongoing health conditions or compromised immune systems. In this post, we’ll explore why deep cleaning is so vital in care homes and provide actionable tips for achieving the best results.

• Infection control: Care homes are particularly susceptible to outbreaks of infections such as colds, coughs, flu and COVID-19. Regular deep cleaning helps to eradicate harmful bacteria and viruses, significantly reducing the risk of transmission among residents and staff
• Enhanced quality of life: A clean environment contributes to the overall well-being of residents and staff. It not only promotes physical health by preventing illness but also positively impacts mental health by providing a pleasant, comfortable living space
• Regulatory compliance: Care homes must adhere to strict hygiene standards set by law and regulatory bodies. Implementing robust deep cleaning procedures ensures compliance with these regulations, safeguarding the facility's reputation and operational license
• Staff morale: A clean working environment boosts staff morale, making them feel safe and valued on duty. This in turn can lead to improved job satisfaction and retention rates among healthcare professionals.

To achieve optimal results from your deep cleaning procedures, care homes should adopt a structured approach:

• Develop a cleaning schedule. Creating a comprehensive cleaning schedule is crucial for ensuring all areas receive adequate attention. During deep cleans, high-traffic and communal areas should receive particularly meticulous attention.
• Use appropriate cleaning supplies. Invest in high-quality cleaning agents that are effective against pathogens. Hospital-grade disinfectants should be used for high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, and medical equipment. Browse our range of cleaning supplies for a wide selection of high-performance products.
• Ensure that all cleaning tools are colour-coded. To prevent cross-contamination between different areas, use the national colour-coding scheme for cleaning materials and equipment (cloths – both disposable and reusable – as well as mops, buckets, aprons and gloves), which is as follows:
  • Red: bathrooms, showers, toilets, basins and bathroom floors
  • Blue: general areas – lounges, offices, corridors, bedrooms
  • Green: kitchen and food storage areas
  • Yellow: bedrooms where someone has an infection and is isolated
• Declutter before a deep clean. Before commencing deep cleaning, remove any unnecessary items from the area to be cleaned. This not only makes the process more efficient but also allows for thorough access to all surfaces
• Pay particular attention to high-touch areas. These include handrails, lift buttons, remote controls, and shared equipment. Disinfecting these surfaces can significantly reduce the spread of bacteria
• Train staff thoroughly. Proper training on deep cleaning techniques is essential for staff members. They should understand how to use cleaning products safely and effectively while adhering to infection control procedures. Some top tips when deep cleaning are:
  • Always work from the cleanest area towards the dirtiest area
  • Work from top to bottom
  • Cover all surfaces using an S-shaped pattern and take care not to go over the same area twice, to reduce risk of cross-contamination
  • Wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Utilise technology and advanced cleaning methods. Consider incorporating devices like ozone generators into your deep cleaning routines – ozone offers superior disinfection and can break down pathogens in the air, reducing the transmission of viruses. Discover more about the benefits of ozone generators
• Regularly review procedures. It’s essential to regularly review and update your deep cleaning procedures based on emerging best practices or changes in legislation or guidance. 

Deep cleaning is an indispensable component of maintaining a safe and healthy environment in care homes. By prioritising thorough cleaning practices, care homes can protect their residents from infections, enhance their quality of life, comply with legislation, and foster a positive atmosphere for staff members. Implementing these best practices will not only improve hygiene standards but also contribute to the overall success of care homes in delivering high-quality care for residents. 

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