There is one very noticeable difference between a museum’s cleaning routines and the cleaning routines found in other types of buildings. And that difference is buses; specifically, big, yellow school buses.

Buses bring school kids to museums. And school kids bring all kinds of smudges, dirt, and germs into the museum’s public spaces. So the job of maintenance in a museum with lots of visiting school children requires much more than just following them around and cleaning up after them.

With children coming from schools all over the area, a museum can become a central terminal for spreading flu viruses and other bugs. That’s why it’s good to have lots of hand sanitizers available and for someone to explain to the kids why it is important to keep their hands clean.

Analyzing bus schedules helps to position maintenance people where they are most needed at any one time. Technology is available to monitor areas such as restrooms to be sure they are cleaned and stocked during heavy usage times. Data can also help predict the ebb and flow of visitors in food service areas, around the actual exhibits and collections, and in classrooms so that maintenance will be free to swing into those areas at appropriate times.

It's important to deep clean porous surfaces.

The restrooms and food service areas need regularly scheduled deep cleaning and resealing. Porous floor surfaces such as concrete or marble absorb dirt and spills, causing an invisible but very unsanitary area.

Garbage cans should be emptied and cleaned regularly to keep rodents away. Roof rats don’t like the smell of mint so consider using mint-scented garbage bags.

It's important to a museum’s future to make kids feel welcomed. But it’s also important to the museum today to make sure it is clean and sanitary.

Alyssa Rosen is a West Coast Regional Business Development Manager for ABM. She has extensive experience in the sports and entertainment industry. Prior to joining ABM, she worked for Aramark Sports and Entertainment.


posted on 2/5/2019