Properly and sustainably deep cleaning of problem areas in the classroom
Dirty desks and blackboards are some of the problems encountered during classroom cleaning. We present solutions that combine students’ and teachers’ expectations regarding health, climate protection, and the environment with a clean and hygienic learning environment.
Furniture and Surfaces
School furniture plays a fundamental role in the comfort of students and teachers, their concentration, and even their academic success. Deep cleaning is equally necessary for hygiene and value retention:
Stubborn stains such as chewing gum are removed using a plastic scraper. A solvent-based plastic cleaner in combination with a blue microfibre cloth, e.g. Tanex power, is recommended for removing biros and fountain pen stains, marker traces and stubborn stains. The label-free power and plastic cleaner from Green Care Professional is ideal for gentle cleaning of all matt, high-gloss and textured plastic and plastic-coated surfaces as well as Plexiglas®. The ready-to-use spray bottle makes it quick and easy to use
Sustainable deep cleaning for a clean learning environment with Green Care Professional © Tana-Chemie GmbH
Clean blackboards
No classroom should be without a blackboard. Whether chalkboards or whiteboards, they are wiped clean after each use. However, deep cleaning is also recommended to maintain the value of the boards in the long term.
Chalkboards consist of board coated with a special varnish. Stubborn residues or mineral stains such as limescale or chalk (so-called champagne chalk) can be removed with a slightly acidic cleaner – the compatibility of the chalkboard is tested with the cleaner beforehand. Then wash the chalkboard with clear water and wipe off. The cheaper gypsum chalk can only be removed mechanically or rinsed off with water.
Whiteboards are available in various designs made from different materials. To extend the life of a whiteboard, choosing the right cleaner is crucial.
- Melamine resin surfaces are scratch-resistant and pressure-resistant to a certain degree. This non-magnetic surface is suitable for labelling with alcohol-based dry-wipe markers.
- Painted steel surfaces have a special coating that can be written on with alcohol-based dry-wipe markers. As the special coating can have different properties, it is advisable to test the material compatibility.
- Whiteboard surfaces made of enameled steel offer long-term, intensive use. The surface is scratch-resistant, so ink from accidentally used markers (e.g. permanent markers) can be removed without damaging the surface. Ink can be easily wiped off, even after long periods of use.
- Glass surfaces are resistant and can be treated like enameled surfaces.
Tanex power from Green Care Professional is suitable for thorough yet gentle cleaning of most of the chalkboard surfaces mentioned. Painted surfaces must always be tested for material compatibility.
Radiators
The dust that accumulates on the radiator over the winter is dispersed into the room air with the heat, which has a negative effect on heating performance, heating costs and above all the health of pupils. Radiators should therefore be damp-cleaned with a slightly alkaline all-purpose cleaner, e.g. Tanex allround. Any wooden skirting boards underneath should be cleaned with a surfactant-free cleaning agent such as Tanet karacho. Surfactant-free cleaners are particularly compatible with many materials and do not reduce the surface tension of the water as much. A cleaner with surfactants would favors the penetration of moisture if it came into excessive contact with the wood, causing the surface to swell.
The classroom is now ready for lessons. The clean and fresh rooms create a pleasant teaching and learning atmosphere. The use of recyclable cleaning agents contributes to the responsible use of resources. Green Care Professional is Ecolabel and Cradle to Cradle certified, packaging made from 100% recycled PET and 100% recyclable, label-free formulas from a non-fossil base are the foundations for a sustainable future.
