Content. How to avoid problems...3. Introduce a cleaning rota...4. Cleaning products and expenditure record sheet...7. Tips on cleaning your flat...

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2 Content How to avoid problems...3 Introduce a cleaning rota...4 Cleaning products and expenditure record sheet...7 Tips on cleaning your flat...9 Room Inspections Student cleaning guide

3 How to avoid problems Keeping your bedroom, bathroom and communal areas clean will benefit you in many ways. It will create a pleasant and hygienic environment for you to live and study in. This guide will help you achieve this. It will give you detailed information on how to clean your study bedroom, bathroom, toilet and kitchen. It is essential that you understand there are students from different backgrounds and therefore they might be used to doing things differently. Get together with your flat mates and discuss and divide responsibilities. This will help you to avoid problems such as: someone not doing their fair share you contributing financially and actively to cleaning while others are not one person making all the mess Student cleaning guide 3

4 Introduce a cleaning rota Divide and conquer! You are sharing your kitchen with other residents and all of you have a joint responsibility for keeping it clean. To prevent any disagreements, it is fair that you all agree to take on an equal share of the work. We strongly advise that you introduce a cleaning rota. To assist you, we have produced an example of a rota which identifies tasks that will need completing around the kitchen to ensure that a reasonable level of hygiene is maintained by all. We are not expecting you to follow our example in exact detail because: the number of students in each flat varies kitchens are not all the same layout/ size or have the same equipment installed each flatmate has different pressures at different times, for example some go on field trips, some do lots of course work or do more examinations some students do more cooking than others (but this should not absolve you completely from cleaning duties) some have part time jobs or play a lot of sport on certain days Your task is to arrange between yourselves who will be responsible for completing each of these jobs and on what day this will happen each week. The list of jobs we suggest you include are: taking the rubbish and recycling to the bin area vacuuming and/or mopping the floor wiping down the surfaces cleaning the cooker oven, hob and grill cleaning the microwave cleaning the fridge While a certain amount of compromise will be required, everyone should do their fair share. It is just about agreeing who will do what and when. It is then down to individual self management and motivation to get the cleaning tasks listed above completed. To further assist you we have provided a blank template to help you produce your own rota. You will need to adapt it taking into account the sort of issues listed above. you can ask your Hall Supervisor for advice on cleaning your Student Support Managers can attend a mediation meeting to help you draw up a rota If you do not keep your flat s cleanliness up to the required standard you may be required to attend a hygiene information workshop. 4 Student cleaning guide

5 Weekly cleaning rota template for shared communal areas within a flat Below is an example of a schedule that can be drawn up to ensure everyone does their fair share. You must get together to adapt this template to meet your collective needs using the blank template provided. Week commencing:24th September 2012 Name Room no Cleaning Task Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun General rubbish out. Recycling out. General rubbish out. Recycling out. Clean work surfaces to maintain hygiene levels. Vacuum kitchen and entrance foyer. Mop kitchen floor. Clean the hob, oven and grill. Clean the microwave and outside of the fridge/freezer. Empty the rubbish/recycling Take a look, clean if required Definitely clean it! Rest day! Student cleaning guide 5

6 Kitchen cleaning rota Name Room no Week commencing:... Cleaning Task Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun 6 Student cleaning guide

7 Cleaning products and expenditure record sheet This may be the first time you have lived away from home without the direct support of your family. To help you keep your room and shared spaces clean and tidy we have put together some useful tips on cleaning products and techniques. You should consider splitting the cost of cleaning products between you flat mates. Set up a kitty for cleaning materials Mark down how much every student spends so everyone pays their fair share. Buying the right cleaning products for the job may save you both time and money in the long run. We have recommended branded products, but many supermarkets sell their own brand equivalents at a cheaper price. Please always read the instructions on the product before use and wear protective eyewear and masks where advised. Depending on how many people are in your flat, each of you would only need to buy one or two of the items below: Rubber gloves are a good buy, as they protect your skin from chemicals. Cleaning cloths such as J-Cloths, are essential. Scouring sponges or pads are good for using on surfaces that are not easily scratched. Dusters are needed for cleaning furniture and mirrors. Rubbish bags (clear for recyclables and black for general waste) are essential. Please ask at your reception if you require extra bags. General bathroom cleaning there are lots of products available, but make sure you get one that removes lime scale, such as Cif Bath and Shower. Even these products sometimes do not remove a build up of lime scale. Specialist lime scale removers, such as Viakal or Limelite, are recommended. General kitchen cleaner - a general cleaner like Flash Multi-Purpose Spray can be used neat for tough grease and dirt or diluted to clean vinyl floors, paintwork etc. Mopping a floor is sufficient to clean day-to-day dirt, but for a final clean you should scrub it with a cloth or scrubbing brush. Oven cleaner a specialist oven cleaning product, such as Mr Muscle Oven Cleaner, does a great job. Leave it on for the maximum time recommended. Be sure to read the instructions carefully, always use rubber gloves and goggles and make sure the room is fully ventilated. Use this to clean oven shelves and grill pans too. Wire wool scourers are great for trays and shelving. Toilet cleaner make sure your product removes lime scale, as well as dirt and germs. Cif Power Cream on the lid and seat and Harpic Toilet Cleaner in the bowl normally work well. Polish any furniture polish will usually be good. If you buy a multi-surface polish, you can use this on laminated finishes, as well as on wood. Carpet and upholstery cleaning carpet cleaner, like 1001 Trouble Shooter, is good for removing small marks and stains. If you have lots of stains, we will normally arrange for the carpet to be shampooed - a service for which you will be charged. Black bags for general waste, clear bags for recycling and bags for your vacuum cleaner are available free of charge from your reception. Student cleaning guide 7

8 What to use and where? Item Use With Sink and shower Toilet bowl Taps, windows and mirrors Cupboards, desktops and worktops All purpose bathroom cleaner All purpose bathroom cleaner Spray glass cleaner All purpose cleaner or washing up liquid Non-scratch cleaning pad and/or micro-fibre cloth Toilet brush A clean cloth, paper towels Micro-fibre cloth Fridge/freezer All purpose cleaner Micro-fibre cloth Cooking hob All purpose kitchen cleaner Non-scratch cleaning pad and/or cloth Oven Oven cleaner Scouring pad and/or cloth Oven grill shelves Oven cleaner Scouring pad and/or cloth Disinfecting bathroom, kitchen and rubbish bins Disinfectant Cloth (Note: NEVER use the same cloth for bathroom, kitchen and rubbish bins) Microwave Washing up liquid Micro-fibre cloth Carpet spots (Note: test on a small area before using on the whole carpeted area) Carpet cleaning solution Cloth 8 Student cleaning guide

9 Tips on cleaning your flat Do use proper cleaning products. Check the labelling on the package, always use the advised safety equipment and follow instructions. store all cleaning products in a cool and dark cupboard. change cloths regularly and wash in hot detergent. Harmful bacteria live in cleaning cloths and tea towels. Cloths can be washed in a washing machine. Also wash mop heads in very hot detergent after use. use different cloths for different areas, for example, one cloth for the kitchen, a different cloth for the toilet, another one for the sink and wash basin. use face masks to prevent inhalation. Always open windows and ventilate the room well if the product advises or has a strong odour. wear protective eyewear. Even a small amount of chemical can cause serious damage to the eye. Don t mix chemicals - when you combine them they can be toxic. use bleach or bleach based products because it can cause health problems. For example, if you suffer from asthma using bleach could cause breathing problems. leave cloths and sponges in water always wash after use and leave to dry. leave wet washing over radiators or heating as this is a health and safety risk and can cause damage to furnishings. leave water on the floor when mopping. Sweep hard floors regularly and mop using all-purpose cleaner and a mop. How to clean your bedroom When cleaning you bedroom, the following is your own responsibility: The sink - wash it out. The floor - vacuum the floor and any skirting boards regularly especially under the bed. Desk and window sill - dust the desk and window sill. Dust from dust mites can cause allergies and are not healthy to inhale. Bed linen - change and wash the bed linen regularly. Tidiness - keep the room tidy - remove cups, plates and rubbish daily. Rubbish - empty your rubbish bin regularly into your bigger kitchen bins. Do not forget to recycle your paper, bottles, cans etc. Student cleaning guide 9

10 How to clean your en-suite Bathrooms need to be cleaned at least once a week. A 15 minute clean allows you to maintain the cleanliness of the en-suite without spending hours scrubbing and disinfecting. If you follow these simple steps on a regular basis it will take no time at all and keep your bathroom sparkling: You will need non-abrasive multi-surface bathroom cleaner, cloth/sponge, toilet brush and toilet cleaner. Apply multi-surface bathroom cleaner to the sink, shower and mirror. Wipe and rinse using a cloth. Clean the shower tray (the base that you stand on), the door (including the lip at the bottom) the frame, the tiles and grouting. If the grouting or tiles are discoloured you may need to spray on the cleaner and leave it to stand for a while before wiping it down. Ensure that plug holes are clean and free from hair to avoid blockages (do not cut your hair in the wash basin and/or shower). Apply toilet cleaner to toilet and scrub the inside of the toilet using toilet brush. Using the all-purpose bathroom cleaner and cloth, wipe down the outside of the toilet. The cloths or brushes used in or around the toilet should not be used for cleaning other areas. Harmful bacteria live in cleaning cloths and brushes change them regularly and wash in hot detergent. How to clean your kitchen General every day routines Organise a cleaning rota with your flat mates which should make life much easier and help to avoid arguments. Do your own washing up: dirty crockery and pans are unhygienic and a safety hazard. Please wash up and clear away within 24 hours. Keep the room tidy by putting things away. Keep chairs/stools, the floor and the sink clear from pots and pans. Remove general refuse daily. Overflowing rubbish bins will attract infestations of pests such as flies, cockroaches and vermin. You must not leave rubbish outside flats or outside the bin shed. Please use black refuse sacks for general waster. These are available free of charge from reception. Recycle and take out your separated waste to the dedicated external recycling Green Space bins daily. Please use clear sacks for recycling, available free of charge from reception. Clean up spillages when they happen. Wipe down all surfaces after use. Sweep up all crumbs immediately. Clean the cooker and hot plates after use. Keep the grill pan clean and clear from fat and grease. Switch off all cooking appliances when you have finished with them. 10 Student cleaning guide

11 Wipe away condensation from inside the microwave after use to avoid rusting. Avoid trip hazards and blocking of fire exits. Vacuum cleaners are for use in DRY areas only. Wet items will cause blockages and breakdowns. Work surfaces Do not forget these are food preparation areas. Harmful bacteria live on dirty surfaces. You should clean your work surfaces before and after preparing each meal using hot water and detergent to keep them clean and free from a build up of grease, food spills and general dust/dirt. You can purchase a simple anti-bacterial spray which can be used on the work surfaces. Cooker and hob Please ensure you clean the cooker and hob only when they are turned off and cooled down. Dried-on food spills are a fire risk so it is good practice to clean the cooker and hob after every use. Do not use wire-wool (Brillo pads) on the hob as it will scratch it. Do use a kitchen cleaner with degreasing properties and a sponge scourer or similar. We strongly advise that you wipe the hob down after each use this will prevent grime being burnt on which can then take some time to remove. Use foil to cover the grill pan, it makes cleaning easier but do not use it in the oven. Oven An oven cleaner with de-greasing properties is needed to get the oven and the oven door properly clean. Always wear rubber gloves. The glass on the oven door (if fitted) should be clear, not brown. The seal on the oven will need wiping to remove build-up of crumbs and grease, and the floor of the oven must be free from grime and food build-up. Please use a baking tray when cooking in the oven. Microwave Microwaves should be cleaned inside and outside. An all-purpose kitchen cleaner with de-greasing properties and a kitchen cloth should get the grime off without damaging the microwave. You will need to clean the glass plate and underneath the glass plate. The microwave needs regular cleaning inside to prevent rusting. Where rusting occurs as a result of the microwave not being cleaned it will be replaced at the residents expense. A quick wipe down after each use will save time and effort in the long run. Student cleaning guide 11

12 Fridge Clean your fridge inside and out to prevent harmful bacteria. Wash inside walls, racks, vegetable drawers and door seals (the rubber strip around the door) with mild detergent or baking soda solution. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. Wash the outside sides and front with mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. Regularly check for out-of-date food. You will need to throw away any rotten food (fruit/vegetables etc.) to keep your fridge smelling fresh and prevent other food from spoiling. We recommend you store cooked meat above raw meat in order to prevent cross-contamination. Basin The basin itself, the taps and the tap bases and in/around the plughole should all be cleaned. Any streaks of scum or brown/grey/pink build-up, either in the basin or near the taps, should be removed. Crockery/cutlery Dirty dishes cause smells and can attract unwanted visitors to your kitchen. They can also cause friction between you and your other housemates. Set up a dish washing rota. Remember: Uneaten and out-of-date food will attract bacteria and can cause food poisoning. Freezer You will need to defrost your freezer when there is a thick layer of ice on the inside. This will usually be once a term. Please see the operating instructions for how to defrost your freezer. Do not use sharp objects, hair dryers or other heating elements to loosen ice. Kitchen floor Simply mopping the floor is not sufficient. You will need to use a floor cleaner with de-greasing properties and hot water. The floor may need to be scrubbed thoroughly with a scrubbing brush prior to mopping to get it thoroughly clean. Take care not to leave a wet floor unattended. Finally, remember: To avoid additional cleaning charges: stay on top of things clean regularly if you need further advice on cleaning talk to your domestic staff if your flatmates are not doing their fair share ask for a Student Support Manager mediation meeting 12 Student cleaning guide

13 Room inspections To ensure you are taking care of yourselves and looking after our accommodation it is the Halls of Residence policy to conduct formal accommodation inventory audits during your stay. During inventory audits we will check your kitchen, room and en-suite for damages, cleanliness and excessive bags of rubbish. A letter will precede your check stating the date of our visit giving you at least 24 hours notice. Visits will be between 9am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday. You should ensure that your areas are clean and tidy to the standards requested. In between these audits your Hall Supervisor will also visit your kitchen periodically to carry out a hygiene audit and to provide help and advice on cleaning methods. Where levels of cleanliness are not acceptable you will be advised on steps you should take and the date for a re-inspection. If inspections reveal a breach of your accommodation agreement you will normally be given a reasonable opportunity to put things right. If you fail to rectify matters that have been drawn to your attention, or if the level of cleanliness is persistently not of an acceptable standard, staff may be employed to provide a cleaning service or put right other breaches, and the cost will be charged to you. You may also be required to attend a hygiene information workshop for which a charge may be levied. You will find overleaf details of the hygiene standard expected in your kitchen and various letters you may receive. Where residents of a flat fail to maintain and improve standards, the hall staff may be employed to provide a cleaning service or put right other breaches, and the cost will be charged to you at commercial rates. You may also be required to attend a hygiene information workshop for which an administration charge may be levied. Student cleaning guide 13

14 Kitchen Health, Safety and Hygiene Audit Standards To ensue you are taking care of yourselves and looking after our accommodation it is the Halls of Residence policy to conduct regular accommodation hygiene audits during your stay. Keep your kitchen clean and remove rubbish regularly. It s amazing how quickly germs can spread. Be a good neighbour and flat mate and clean up after yourself. Wash and store your dishes and cooking utensils. Share the responsibility of cleaning the kitchen equipment and shared spaces to the standards listed below. Take it in turns to remove the rubbish every day. Item Cooker/hob rings Cooker grill area and grill pan Cooker oven Microwave Fridge/freezer Work surface and draining board Rubbish removal Hard floor Soft floor Cupboards Detail Free from grease, spillage and burnt on food. Free from grease, spillage and burnt on food. Free from grease, spillages and burnt on food, shelf units washed. Clean inside area and plate free of grease, stains and spillage. Inside surface clean and free from stains. No mouldy or out-of-date food items. Sink area clean and free of food debris. Limited amount of washing up. Removal of all general and recycling waste. Swept, mopped and free of grease and debris. Vacuumed and free of debris. Unit fronts to be free of smears and drip marks. 14 Student cleaning guide

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