Retail Cleaning Checklist

9/6/2021 (Permalink)

COVID has forced retailers to adapt in many ways remarkably quickly. And while it’s certainly been a difficult time and the future remains uncertain, it’s also been an eye-opening experience for changes that may be long overdue. 

When it comes to store cleanliness, COVID has perhaps pushed businesses in a good direction, pandemic notwithstanding. It’s important to pay extra attention to the details. Creating a thorough retail cleaning checklist is absolutely essential so that nothing is forgotten and to keep your entire team on the same page.

Retail Cleaning Checklist:

• Clean High-Touch Surfaces Often - The most important parts of your store that need cleaning are the spots the get high traffic of touches. Of course, these are the areas that are most likely to pass a virus or other germs from one person to the next. For retailers, these likely include; Doorknobs and handles, Counter surfaces, Bathroom doors, Sinks and toilets, Shopping baskets and carts, POS machines, and credit card pin pads.

• Disinfect Properly - There are many different solutions that work as a disinfectant. First, make sure to use soap and water before disinfecting. This helps reduce the dirt and grime beforehand, making the disinfecting round more productive.

• Wash Soft Surfaces - Clean all carpets, rugs, chairs, couches, window drapes, towels, and apparel tried on by a shopper. Use soap and water or any other disinfectant cleaner on larger items to clean them and preserve their appearance. For small individual items, use a washing machine with hot water. 

• Wipe Down all Electronics - Electronics are the most commonly touched items in any store, particularly around the point of sale area. Clean all POS hardware, including desktops, keyboards, scanners, tablets, credit card machines, receipt printers, keypads, and cash drawers. Many retailers have implemented a regular cleaning every 15-30 minutes.

• Don’t Forget Outdoor Areas - Outdoor areas are safer than indoors, but they, too, need attention. Do not spray outdoor areas with disinfectant. It’s not proven to reduce risks of transmission and a waste of the cleaning material. Clean areas that are routinely touched with soap and water, such as railings, outdoor seating areas, sidewalk signage, or anything else at your storefront that can come into contact with customers or passersby.

• Make all Retail Cleaning Checklists a Habit - As important as the items in the checklist itself, it’s critical that businesses implement a routine for their staff. Like mask-wearing, more frequent hand washing, or any other change we’ve had to make to adapt to the pandemic, changing your store’s policies requires that your staff find a habit. Start with a general staff meeting to go over a cohesive policy. Put the new policy in print so that all team members can access it and it can be shared with new employees.

Post checklists in opportune spots around the store. Ask shift leaders and managers to double-check with staff members throughout and at the end of their shifts, especially during the beginning.

SERVPRO offers commercial cleaning services backed by over 50 years of experience. They are knowledgeable and certified to ensure sanitation in line with CDC guidelines. Let us worry about the dirty work, call 1-800-SERVPRO today for a consultation.