Housekeeping Policies Completed (PDF)

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Quality Care Manual
Part 7

HOUSEKEEPING

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REFERENCE

PROCEDURES

PAGE

HK-PR-Ol

Domestic Cleaning Duties

3

HK-PR-02

Floor Cleaning

6

HK-PR-03

Laundering of Clothes and Linen

8

HK-PR-04

Client Clothing Identification

13

FORMS AND RECORDS

ISSUE

HK-FR-Ol

Domestic Cleaning Schedule

1- 03/12

HK-FR-02

Domestic Cleaning Record

1- 03/12

HK-FR-03

Laundry Cleaning and Safety Record

1- 03/12

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HK-PR-01
1.0

POLICY DOMESTIC CLEANING DUTIES

1.1

It is Care Home policy that the care Home is kept clean to the highest possible
standards simply because care Home residents and the public expect, and have a right to, the
highest standards of cleanliness.

1.2

Cleanliness is an essential aspect in the reduction of risk or infection and cross-infection.

1.3

The Care Home is aware that standards of cleanliness are often seen as an outward and
visible sign of the overall quality of care provided. A key component of providing
consistently high quality cleaning is the presence of a clear plan setting out all aspects of the
cleaning service and defining clearly the roles and responsibilities of all those involved, from
managers through care staff to domestics. This policy concentrates on the domestic cleaning
duties but should be used in conjunction with the Infection Prevention and Control policies
and procedures.

2.0

RESPONSIBLITIES

2.1

Care Home Manager is responsible for the cleanliness and strategic organisation of the

cleaning of the Care Home. This includes the implementation of cleaning schedules, audit
and organising training of the staff. The manager must ensure that appropriate and sufficient
materials are available for the cleaning of the Care Home.
2.2

Person in charge is responsible for ensuring the staff carries out the policy and auditing the

environment if the manager is not available.
2.3

Carers are responsible for tiding the residents' room following personal care. Care staff should

handle the disposal of clinical waste and blood or body fluid spillages. They should report all problems to
the manager or person in charge if the manager is not available.
2.4

Domestic staff are responsible for the cleaning of the Care Home and reporting any

problems that may occur to the person in charge or Manager. When Carers are unavailable then
domestics should handle the disposal of clinical waste and blood and body fluids spillages.
3.0

PROCEDURES

3.1

Domestic staff follow the Domestic Cleaning Schedule (HK-FR-01) unless there is a need to
clean an item/ area more often. A record of cleaning is kept on the Domestic Cleaning Record
(HK-FR-02). Domestic staff follow the Deep Cleaning Schedule (HK-FR-04) when deep
cleaning a room.

3.2

Appropriate equipment must be used, if faults are discovered or problems are experienced
with electrical equipment, the appropriate details should be reported immediately to the
Care Home Manager.

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3.3

Cleaning equipment and materials are kept locked in a secure location when not in use. They
are made available for Domestic Staff to use under the supervision of the Person in Charge
who will ensure that all such equipment and materials are correctly and safely used.

3.4

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) sheets and product data sheets should
be referred to in order to ensure solutions used to clean the environment are used safely. A
copy of these sheets should be kept on the cleaning trolley so that it is easily accessible.
Manufacturers' instructions should also be referred to.

3.5

Domestic staff should organise the removal or repair of items that are not intact. Where
there is a concern about risk of infection due to damaged equipment, a written note should
be given to the Manager who should organise the repair or replacement of the item of
equipment.

3.6

Domestic staff should liaise with maintenance staff, as it is important for control of the
environment.

3.7

Before starting domestic staff should gather all relevant equipment for use and ensure all
equipment! receptacles used to clean the environment are clean before use. Utilise single
use items, such as disposable cloths, as far as possible.

3.8

The choice of cleaning agent that best meets overall needs is important. General-purpose
neutral detergent is suitable (antimicrobial agents are not routinely recommended). Do not
use chlorhexidine, e.g. Hibiscrub and other hand antiseptic agents, for cleaning of the
environment

3.9

Alcohol and detergent wipes should not be used for routine cleaning of the environment.
Detergent wipes are not suitable for large surface cleaning

3.10

Follow guidance (e.g. manufacturers' recommendations) provided on cleaning agents,
regarding amount used, dilution and contact time and ensure solutions are made up freshly.
Solutions made up and stored within a receptacle must be labelled, e.g. solution name, date
and time made up

3.11

Use warm (hand hot) water with general purpose neutral detergent applied with disposable
cloths.

3.12

The following procedures will minimise the risk of build up of infection:







Use dust control mops (anti-static type) for collecting dust and grit. Cotton or mixed
fibre mops should be used to collect dirt and soil. Brushing should be avoided as it can
disperse more dust into the air. 'Damp dusting' is the recommended method for
cleaning the environment, as this will allow the dust to adhere to the cloth.
Ensure all areas are thoroughly cleaned and free from dust and grime, paying particular
attention to harder to reach areas, e.g. corners, edges, underneath of beds, etc. The
mechanical action of cleaning is important as it removes potential reservoirs of
microorganisms.
Ensure toilets, sinks, basins and baths are free from soap build-up and mineral deposits.
Attention should be paid to fixtures, shower curtains, wall tiles and handrails.
Air-drying following washing is generally acceptable; however, if areas are particularly

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wet these should be dried with clean, preferably disposable, cloths.
Soft furnishings, such as carpets, should be vacuumed daily. Clean periodically by hot
water extraction using a carpet cleaner. When wet-cleaned, items must be allowed to
dry fully before reuse. If contaminated clean and disinfect with agent approved by
manufacturer. Furniture should be free of dust and staining.
All light shades are removed and cleaned according to Deep Clean Schedule ( HK-FR-04).
All paintwork will require cleaning on a regular basis according to Deep Clean Schedule
(HK-FR-04) using the appropriate cleaning chemical. The Manager of the Care Home will
determine this schedule.
Items should be checked while cleaning for any splits, etc and these reported and
removed as appropriate. Any items torn/split should be removed/replaced/repaired as
necessary.

3.13

Vents and filters are cleaned in liaison with maintenance staff as per the cleaning schedule
and as required.

3.14

Utilise laundry facilities for items such as curtains and reusable mop heads. Clean mop heads
and other equipment should always be stored in clean, dry area.

3.15

Cleaning schedules are available for the cleaning of curtains, linen etc in policy IC-PR-09

3.16

Any additional information on cleaning/disinfecting agents to be used at specific times
should be discussed with Infection Control Team (England and Wales) or Public Health
(Scotland). E.g. when a client has to be cared for in isolation.

3.17

Steam Cleaning is a very effective method especially for specific equipment cleaning and can
be used on most soft furnishings. It is not recommended for regular daily use due to health
and safety issues. It is not suitable for replacement of current regular cleaning regimes but
may be useful for specific periodic cleaning.

3.18

Monitoring and recording of cleaning procedures should be undertaken. Cleanliness of the
care Home is audited in the care Home audit form. The Manager should investigate all
Areas/Items which are found to be consistently unclean, particularly following times when
cleaning routines should have been performed, and items, which are in a poor state of repair.
If lack of cleanliness is a result of poor performance then necessary counselling/ disciplinary
action may have to be taken.

3.19

Any issues arising in relation to the use of cleaning solutions, e.g. skin reactions, damage to
equipment, should be reported to the Manager and the staff member should see their G.P.

3.20

If they are unsure of the infectious status of the person whose room is about to be clean
then the domestic staff should discuss the issue with the person in charge. If a client is being
cared for in isolation the domestic staff should follow the policy IC-PR-22

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HK-PR-02
1.0

1.1

POLICY FLOOR CLEANING

It is the policy of The Care Home to ensure that all floors and stairs within the Care Home are
properly maintained and kept in a safe and clean condition.

2.0

RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 Care Home Manager has overall responsibility for the implementation of the procedure
detailed below.
2.2 Domestic Staff have the responsibility to undertake Floor Cleaning activities in accordance
with this procedure.
3.0

PROCEDURE

3.1

General

3.1.1

Every care will be exercised by Staff to ensure that the safety of Residents and Staff is not
compromised during the Floor Cleaning process. With regard to safety, particular attention is
paid to the following:





Cleaning Chemicals.
Carpet Cleaner Trailing Cables.
Wet Floors and Stairs.

3.1.2

Appropriate equipment must be used, if faults are discovered or problems are experienced
with electrical equipment, the appropriate details should be reported immediately to the
Care Home Manager.

3.1.3

Cleaning equipment and materials are kept locked in a secure location when not in use. They
are made available for Domestic Staff to use under the supervision of the Person in Charge
who will ensure that all such equipment and materials are correctly and safely used.

3.1.4

The Person in Charge will determine when floors in the various areas of the Care Home are
to be cleaned. This will include those areas that require to be cleaned at specific times of the
day.

3.1.5

Additional Floor Cleaning will of course be necessary. Where this is required, Domestic Staff
will undertake the appropriate cleaning as soon as possible. Floors must never be left in a
soiled or dirty condition that may lead to a health or safety risk for Residents or Staff.

3.1.6

During the process of Floor Cleaning, it may become apparent that flooring or carpets have
become worn or are damaged and are in need of repair. Where this occurs, the matter
should be reported to the Care Home Manager as soon as possible and logged in the
maintenance book.

3.1. 7 All waste collected during Floor Cleaning processes will be disposed of in accordance with the Waste
Management and Disposal procedure.

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3.2

Floor Washing

3.2.1

The appropriate type of detergent for the area to be cleaned is selected. In order to avoid the
risk of improper use by Residents or Staff, cleaning materials must never be left unattended
while the floor is being cleaned. All cleaning materials must be returned to the proper locked
storage area when cleaning is completed.

3.2.2

Where there is a risk of slipping on floors that have been washed, 'Wet Floor' signs are to be
used. The signs will be placed adjacent to the area being cleaned to indicate to Residents and
Staff that a potential hazard exists. The signs will be kept in place until the floor is completely
dry. Care should be taken to ensure that the signs themselves to not create a tripping hazard.

3.2.3

Floor Cleaning is recorded on form HK-FR-02

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HK-PR-03
1.0

POLICY LAUNDERING OF CLOTHES AND LINEN

1.1

Ensuring residents' have well laundered; appropriate and smart clothing is essential in helping
the Client maintain dignity and self-worth.

1.2

It is Care Home policy to provide clean linen, as it is a fundamental requirement for
client care. Incorrect procedures for handling or processing of linen can present an infection
risk both to staff handling and laundering linen, and to residents who subsequently use it. This
policy should be used in conjunction with the Prevention and Control of infection policies.

2.0

2.1

RESPONSIBLITIES
Care Home Manager is responsible for the strategic organisation of the laundering of
clothes and linen. This should include the sourcing of equipment, audit and organising the
training of the staff. The manager must ensure that sufficient materials are available for the
laundering of the clothes and linen.

2.2

Person in charge is responsible for ensuring the staff carries out the policy and auditing the
clothing and linen if the Manager is not available.

2.3

Carers are responsible for separating the laundry at source and ensuring that the laundry is placed in
the correct bags. They should report all problems to the or person in charge if the Manager is not available.

2.4

Domestic staff are responsible for the laundering the clothes and linen and reporting any
problems that may occur to the person in charge or Manager. This includes the returning of
linen to the appropriate storage facility and clothes to the client's room. They should also
inform the Manager if there is insufficient linen.

3.0

PROCEDURES

3.1

General

3.1.1 This policy describes the steps that must be taken to minimise this risk. Infection can be
transferred between contaminated and uncontaminated items of clothing, laundry and the
environments in which they are stored. Even during a normal washing cycle a number of
microorganisms can be passed between clothing and linen, and will only be partially
removed during the rinse cycles. Thorough drying of the laundry, however, does reduce the
levels of contamination to a level that no longer poses a risk.
3.1.2 Within the care Home, specific hygiene measures should be taken to reduce these
risks, including:
 correct handling to prevent the spread of infection
 Appropriate disinfection of the laundry
3.1.3

Laundry facilities are kept locked when not in use

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3.1.4

Prior to being made available for use, all detergents required in the laundry process are
subject to the appropriate Risk Assessment in accordance with the Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health (COSHH) procedure. COSHH Assessments of detergents are available to
all Staff using these products.

3.1.5

All Household Linen will be fire retardant.

3.1.6

To minimise the risk of infection, clean Household Linen and Client Clothing must always be
kept separate from soiled linen and clothing.

3.1.7

Laundry Staff will ensure that each item of Client Clothing is properly identified, (see HK-PR04 below).

3.2

Client Dignity

3.2.1

All staff are responsible for ensuring that Residents' are properly dressed in their own clothes.

3.2.2

Laundry staff ensure that Client' clothes are carefully and properly laundered to ensure that
they can wear decent and appropriate clothes.

3.3

Stocks of Household Linen

3.3.1

Laundry Assistants will ensure that sufficient supplies of Household Linen are maintained to
enable linen to be changed regularly and frequently.

3.3.2

Laundry Assistants are responsible for rotation of Household Linen and for reporting to Care
Home Manager any linen that requires to be replaced.

3.4

Handling and laundering process

3.4.1

If taken into an isolation room and not used, linen must then be laundered before use.

3.4.2

Linen should be removed from a client's bed with care, avoiding the creation of dust, and
placed in the appropriate bag category in a wheeled trolley, keeping linen off the floor before
taking the bags to the laundry. Personal clothing should also be removed with care and
placed in the linen bag, not placed upon the floor.

3.4.3

Laundry should be separated into categories ready for decontamination, negating the need
for additional handling within the laundry. Linen bags must never be more than two thirds
full, and must be securely closed before transfer to the laundry. Hands should then be
washed

3.4.4

All laundry should not be stored but quickly processed.

3.4.5

Laundry staff should never empty bags of linen onto the floor to sort the linen into categories
as this presents an unnecessary risk of infection.

3.4.6

The laundry staff should never open the inner water-soluble/ water-soluble membrane bags.
Instead, the bags should be transferred to the washing machine for decontamination.
Machines should not be overloaded.