We have a regular schedule of cleaning. Every item in the room is cleaned at least weekly, some items (magnifiers of all types, a crawl-through log, anything that goes near faces to be used) are cleaned daily. Other items (tables, chairs, puzzles, touchables) are on a weekly schedule. Some things get cleaned immediately ("My child licked this rock." [Usually infants lick, but yesterday it was an 8 year old]) or get extra cleanings if they're getting extra love that week. Plastic figures (dino toys, doll house figures) get a twice-weekly bleach bath.
We try to stick to non-toxic cleaners as much as possible (we like Method), partly because the air circulation isn't great down here, but we do bring out the hard stuff when there's something going around, like all the coughing before Christmas! We also use 1:16 bleach around animal areas after animal care.
Those are the quick basics - good luck!
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Kathleen McNeece
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Cleveland OH
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-08-2018 08:30 AM
From: James McCormick
Subject: Childrens Area
We have just added a children area and want to see how other museums are handling the issues of cleaning and disinfecting. We've gotten advice from some Head Start teachers on what we need to do, but are still wondering if any of you have set protocols.
Thanks
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James McCormick
Aviation Museum of Kentucky
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