Cleaning and Sanitation Frequency Table

AREACLEANSANITIZEFrequency
Classrooms/child care/food areas
Countertops/tablesXXDaily and when soiled
Food preparation and service surfacesXXBefore and after contact with food activity; between preparation of raw and cooked foods
FloorsXXDaily and when soiled
Door and cabinet handlesXXDaily and when soiled
Carpets and large area rugsX Vacuum daily when children are not present. Clean with a carpet cleaning method approved by the local health authority. Clean carpets only when children will not be present until the carpet is dry. Clean carpets at least monthly in infant areas, at least every three months in other areas and when soiled.
Small rugsX Shake outdoors or vacuum daily. Launder weekly.
Utensils, surfaces, and toys that go into the mouth or have been in contact with saliva or other body fluidsXXAfter each child's use; or disposable, one-time use utensils or toys.
ToysX Weekly and when soiled
Dress-up clothes not worn on the headX Weekly
Sheets and pillowcases, individual cloth towels (if used), combs and hairbrushes, washcloths, and machine-washable cloth toysX Weekly and when visibly soiled (used only by one child)
Blankets, sleeping bags and cubbiesX Monthly and when soiled
HatsX After each child's use (or use disposable hats that only one child wears)
Cribs and mattressesX Weekly or before use by a different child
Mops and cleaning ragsXXBefore and after a day of use, wash, rinse, and sanitize mops and cleaning rags.
Toilet and diapering areas
Handwashing sinks, faucets, surrounding countersXXDaily and when soiled
Soap dispensersXXDaily and when soiled
Toilet seats, toilet handles, cubicle handles and other touchable surfaces, floorsXXDaily or immediately if visibly soiled
Toilet bowlsXXDaily
DoorknobsXXDaily
Changing tablesXXAfter each child's use
Potty chairsXXAfter each child's use. (Use of potty chairs in child care is discouraged because of high risk of contamination.)
Any surface contaminated with body fluids: saliva, mucus, vomit, urine, stool, or bloodXXIMMEDIATELY

Adapted From: Healthy Young Children, A Manual for Programs, NAEYC, 2002.