Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Teach daily cleaning habits
• Method 2 of 2: Initiate a cleanup

Keeping your school clean isn't just the job of the janitor. Keeping your school clean will make you proud of your school's appearance and gain valuable experience in caring for your environment. Whether you take small steps every day or participate in a whole school cleanup, you too can help keep your school clean!

To step

Method 1 of 2: Teach daily cleaning habits

1. Wipe your feet on the mats before entering the school building. Dirt, pollen and leaves can all be walked in by the students, making the floors look dirty. Help prevent this by wiping your feet before entering and walking through the door.
   • If your school doesn't have doormats, stamp your shoes on the sidewalk before walking in.
   • If there are none, ask the principal for doormats. Offer to start a fundraiser to pay for the mats if the school doesn't have a budget for it.
2. Dispose of any trash you see in the trash. It may not seem like a big deal if a candy wrapper falls out of your pocket, but over time, junk and trash can build up and give your school a dirty look. If you notice someone else dropping something, pick it up and throw it away.
   • If you see a used cloth or something dirty on the floor, use a napkin to pick it up so you don't have to touch it with your hands.
   • Encourage your friends to follow your lead in picking up trash when they see it.
3. Recycle paper, glass and plastic. Recycling helps reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill so you help the environment while keeping your school clean.
   • If your school is not participating in a recycling program, ask your teachers or your principal to start one.
4. Put things away after you use them. If you take a book from a shelf in your classroom or use a microscope in the science lab, make sure to put it back when you're done. Leaving things behind leads to cluttered, untidy classrooms.
5. Make sure your lunch table is clean before you go. Do not leave milk cartons, crumpled napkins or food scraps on the table. Push your chair forward when you leave the table and don't forget to check the floor to make sure you haven't dropped anything.
6. Wipe up spills immediately. If you have spilled any drink, clean it up immediately. Use a paper towel or ask a teacher if there is a mop or mop you can use to clean up your mess.
7. Be careful not to damage the exhibits in and around your school. Sometimes teachers place dioramas, works of art or science projects in and around the school to show the hard work of their students. If you see one of these displays, make sure you don't bump or knock it over as that can turn into a big mess.

Method 2 of 2: Initiate a cleanup

1. Ask the school management for permission to organize a cleaning campaign. Organize an event at your school where a group of students, teachers and even parents can help to thoroughly clean the school and environment. This event can take place during a lunch period, after school or on the weekend.
   • Go to the office and ask the secretary if you can schedule a meeting with the principal about organizing an event. Make notes in advance about a number of specific things you want to achieve during the event.
   • For example, you could say, "We would like to come to school with a group of students on a Saturday to pick up rubbish from the playground and wash the windows in the classrooms."
   • Ask teachers and students to sign a petition for the action.
2. Gather your cleaning supplies. If your school already has the right supplies, you may be able to borrow them for your cleaning event. Otherwise, you may need to run a fundraiser so you can buy the cleaning supplies you need. Depending on what you decide to clean, you will need:
   • Rubber gloves
   • A cleaning agent
   • Clothes
   • Waste bags
   • Feather dusters
   • Toilet brushes
   • Garden tools
3. Promote the event. If you are allowed to organize your cleaning day, ask if you can put up flyers to publish the event. You may also be able to advertise the event at a meeting or morning announcement.
   • Don't underestimate the power of word of mouth. Ask your friends to help you find other students and learners interested in getting involved.
   • For example, say something like, "Hey, some of us get together on Saturday to clean up in and around the school.We can even go somewhere for pizza afterwards. Stop by to help!
4. Organize students into groups on the day of the event. Let each group be responsible for performing a particular task. This ensures that no one is walking around aimlessly or cleaning something that someone else has already done.
   • For example, you can have a group of graffiti removed from the walls in the toilets, while another group can pull out weeds around the outside of the school and rake the parks.
5. Focus on cleaning areas that are often ignored. There is no need to spend your cleaning action on chores that the janitor already does on a regular basis. Make the most of the day by working on things that are not often done, such as cleaning the auditorium seats or dusting the top of the lockers.
   • If you wish, you can ask for permission to plant some flowers around the campus, such as in a flower bed at the entrance of the school.
6. Make sure you clean safely. When cleaning, be sure to carefully read all labels on all cleaning supplies and follow directions. Wear rubber gloves when cleaning with chemicals, such as bleach.
   • To avoid getting sick, avoid touching used wipes and the like when emptying bins. Wear disposable gloves and wash your hands with soap and water after you are done.
7. Start a club to make it a regular event. If the event is a success, consider getting permission to start a club that cleans the school regularly. Maybe you can meet once a week, every day at lunch, or just once a semester, depending on how much to do and how often your principal will approve.