All cleaning equipment and cleaning trolleys must be maintained in a clean and safe working condition and stored in a designated cleaning equipment storage area.

General Instructions

Do not clean with dirty equipment

There must be a clear separation between clean and dirty/soiled items on the cleaning trolley

Cleaning trolleys should have a lockable chemical storage section which is to be always locked when cleaners are not in attendance of the trolley in resident care areas

Personal items are not to be stored on cleaning trolleys

All equipment used is to be cleaned daily after use and stored clean and dry in a suitable location, such as a cleaning room/cleaning storage

Items that can be, must be laundered in accordance with Australian or New Zealand standards

Refer to user manuals for all equipment, such as vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaners, floor scrubbers, polishers, etc.

Relevant cleaning equipment maintenance is to be included in the facility's maintenance schedule

NB:  DO NOT USE INFECTIOUS CLEANING EQUIPMENT IN NON-INFECTIOUS AREAS

Buckets 

All buckets must be emptied, rinsed, and cleaned with neutral detergent at the completion of tasks and stored dry upside down

Mops 

All mops must be colour coded

Mop handles should be of non-porous material such as aluminium (not wood) and must be cleaned with neutral detergent and water at the end of the day

Detachable mop heads are to be changed when completing tasks during the day and at the completion of the day for general cleaning

Detachable mop heads are to be changed between each room when there is an infectious room/area or outbreak

Send mop heads to the laundry each day to be laundered in accordance with Australian or New Zealand standards

Mop heads must never be left standing in a bucket of water when not in use, as this may become a source of microbial contamination

Microfibre mop heads are effective for a number of times used and must be replaced according to the manufacturers' guidelines 

Electrostatic mops must be vacuum cleaned  - DO NOT USE IN ISOLATION ROOMS

Cleaning cloths 

All cleaning cloths are to be colour-coded

Send cleaning cloths to the laundry each day to be laundered in accordance with Australian or New Zealand standards

Change cleaning cloths between each room when there is an infectious room/area or outbreak

Microfibre cleaning cloths are effective for a number of times and must be replaced according to the manufacturers' guidelines 

Brooms, Feather Dusters, and Non-dust Attracting Mops MUST NOT BE USED DUE TO THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPREAD OF DUST PARTICLES IN THE ENVIRONMENT

Vacuum cleaners 

Vacuum cleaners must be cleaned after use, including emptying/replacing dust collection bags. They are to be fitted with a HEPA (high-efficiency particular air filter), which must be changed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions

Carpet, floor scrubbing, and polishing machines 

Pads, fittings, and brushes are to be removed and washed clean with neutral detergent and water after use

They must be replaced when worn, or according to the manufacturer's instructions

Toilet brushes

After use, toilet brushes must be rinsed well in the flushing water of the toilet pan and stored dry

Toilet brushes are known to host bacteria and residue, so they must be replaced regularly, every 6 months, after a care recipient has been discharged or changed bathrooms and in the event of a gastro outbreak. 

Toilet brushes are also to be replaced when there is discoloration of white toilet bristles, bristles falling out, and any odours that do not dissipate after cleaning