The best ways to help ensure that
children stay healthy are keeping the child care environment clean. Dirty
bedding, eating utensils, bedding, linens, and surfaces can carry and spread
germs. In a child care setting, regular disinfecting should be a part of the
routine.
Reducing the spread of germs and
getting things clean require different steps to be followed.
·
Washing the item, using soap and water. Be sure
to rinse thoroughly.
·
Cleaning
removes dirt but does not kill all germs, hence disinfecting the item is
important. To be sure germs are gone, you must disinfect them as well.
·
The most common way of disinfecting is using a
solution.
·
You can sterilize with a bleach and water
solution. It’s an easy and an inexpensive way to disinfect surfaces and objects
in child care programs. The amount of bleach and water to use depends on the
concentration of the bleach you choose.
·
Look for Disinfect Child Care Surfaces with a
Bleach and Water Solution for specific instructions on using bleach and water
to disinfect.
·
You cannot use bleach and water solution all the
time. For durable plastic toys, the dishwasher can be used. High water pressure
and temperatures do a great job of removing germs.
·
Remember that disinfecting is included in most child
care cleaning Sydney licensing regulations. Each has different rules about water
temperatures, disinfecting solutions, and the use of dishwashers
You can use your washing machine. Washcloth linens, toys, and bedding in the
washing machine. Add one-half cup of chlorine bleach to the wash cycle when
washing colorfast material; for non-colorfast material, add one-half cup of
non-chlorinated bleach.