Creating a clean, hygienic healthcare environment starts with a clear, detailed, and compliant cleaning schedule. A good cleaning schedule not only outlines what needs to be cleaned but specifies how often, how, and by whom—helping to safeguard patient health and meet national infection control standards.
At Namoli Healthcare, we know that healthcare cleaning is far more than surface deep. It requires a systematic, compliance-driven approach built around the realities of infection control—something general commercial cleaning simply doesn’t address.
What Should a Good Cleaning Schedule Include?
Drawing from RACGP guidelines and best practice standards, here’s what a comprehensive routine cleaning schedule for healthcare settings should detail:
1. Surfaces and Equipment to Be Cleaned
- Patient rooms: Beds, furnishings, doorknobs, light switches, countertops
- Toilets and bathrooms: Minimum Daily full cleaning and disinfection, with at least twice daily checks by facility staff or cleaners.
- Waiting areas: Focused cleaning on high-touch surfaces like chairs, door handles, and magazines
- Other areas: Reception desks, hallways, and administrative spaces tailored to usage patterns
2. Frequency of Cleaning
- Daily: Minimum daily cleaning of patient rooms, toilets, and shared touch points
- Between patients: Equipment and surfaces disinfected immediately after each use
- Spot cleaning: Rapid cleaning of spills or contamination events
- Additional cleaning: Based on risk assessments, patient turnover, or environmental factors
Setting clear expectations for the frequency of cleaning ensures nothing is missed, even during busy times.
3. Cleaning Methods and Approved Products
- General cleaning: Using healthcare-grade neutral detergents to remove visible dirt and debris
- Disinfection: Using TGA-approved disinfectants to kill pathogens effectively
- Specialised equipment: Colour-coded cloths, mops, and zone-specific cleaning tools to prevent cross-contamination
Other Important Considerations for Effective Cleaning Schedules
- Immediate risk assessment: Regular environmental checks for patient safety risks
- Monitoring and evaluation: Ongoing audits and adjustments of schedules for effectiveness
- Compliance: Strict adherence to Australian infection control regulations and healthcare standards
Right click to download the checklist
Why Standard Commercial Cleaning Isn’t Enough
As explained by Mike Liddle, General Manager of Namoli Healthcare, healthcare cleaning requires a specialist approach. Unlike commercial cleaning, it must comply with infection control guidelines mandated by federal authorities and implemented by each facility.
General commercial cleaners may not understand how to avoid cross-contamination or apply zone-specific cleaning techniques, which is why partnering with specialist providers like Namoli is crucial.
Watch: The Importance of Specialist Cleaning in Healthcare
Watch our video to see why facility-specific cleaning schedules—and not just generic ones—are critical to protecting patients and ensuring compliance.
Build a Smarter, Safer Cleaning Plan with Namoli Healthcare
Namoli offers a consultative, compliance-driven approach to cleaning in healthcare environments. From frequency planning to auditing and ATP testing, we help healthcare facilities achieve confidence, control, and simplicity in infection prevention.
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