What Are the Cleaning Standards for K–12 Schools in Massachusetts?

Keeping a school clean isn’t just about mopping floors or emptying trash cans—it’s about protecting public health and creating safe spaces for learning. In Massachusetts, school districts are held to increasingly high standards when it comes to hygiene and sanitation. At Jan-Ex, we’ve worked with dozens of K–12 facilities across the state, from public elementary schools to sprawling high school campuses, and we’ve seen firsthand what works—and what gets overlooked.

In this in-depth article, we’ll break down what K–12 school cleaning standards look like in Massachusetts, what’s required, and how your facility can exceed expectations.

Cleaning Standards for K–12 Schools in Massachusetts: Who Sets the Rules?

Massachusetts doesn’t provide one universal checklist, but the state does require schools to follow a combination of local public health guidance and national best practices. Here’s a breakdown of where those standards come from:

1. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

DESE’s role is to align school operations with public health best practices. While not overly prescriptive, their guidance emphasizes:

• Regular disinfection of high-touch surfaces (including desks, railings, keyboards, and door handles)

• Daily restroom sanitation

• Proper ventilation system maintenance

• Use of EPA-approved disinfectants, especially those listed on EPA List N

• A focus on asthma-safe and fragrance-free products where possible

  
  

2. Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)

DPH reinforces infection prevention strategies, particularly during flu season or public health alerts. In 2023, several school districts received updated DPH cleaning protocols related to:

• Increased bathroom cleaning cycles

• Daily cafeteria sanitation

• Post-illness decontamination using electrostatic sprayers

  
  

3. OSHA & Custodial Compliance

Custodial staff must also meet OSHA regulations, including:

• Chemical labeling and storage (Hazard Communication Standard)

• Bloodborne pathogen training

• Proper use of PPE when handling disinfectants or biohazard incidents

  
  

What a Fully Compliant Cleaning Program Looks Like

A well-run school cleaning program in Massachusetts includes a combination of routine cleaning, disinfection, and periodic deep-cleaning protocols. Here’s a sample of typical daily and weekly responsibilities:

Area	Task	Frequency	Notes
Classrooms	Wipe desks, sanitize high-touch surfaces	Daily	Use List N disinfectant
Restrooms	Full cleaning and disinfection	2–3x/day	Toilets, faucets, partitions
Cafeteria	Sanitize tables, trays, chairs	After each meal	Include disposal bins
Hallways/Stairwells	Mop, disinfect handrails	Daily	Focus on bottleneck zones
Gym/Locker Rooms	Disinfect mats, benches, lockers	Daily	Increase after events
Staff Areas	Sanitize shared appliances & surfaces	Daily	Often overlooked
HVAC Filters	Check & change filters	Quarterly	Per DESE ventilation guidance

Screenshot of 3/25/25 news story on Milford HS incident

Real-World Example: When Cleaning Alone Isn’t Enough

A recent incident at Milford High School underscores why cleaning standards can’t exist in a vacuum. In March 2025, the school made headlines after students and parents reported unsanitary conditions caused by persistent roof leaks. Photos showed garbage bins and buckets crowding hallways to catch foul-smelling water, stained ceiling tiles, and visible signs of potential mold growth throughout the building.

According to Boston 25 News, the leaks stemmed from aging infrastructure—some sections of the roof were more than 20 years old. While the district began addressing the damage, families voiced serious concerns about asthma triggers, poor indoor air quality, and the broader health impact on students and staff.

This case is a clear reminder: even the most thorough cleaning routine can’t compensate for deteriorating facilities. Without proper building maintenance, cleaning teams are forced into constant damage control—treating surface symptoms rather than ensuring a truly healthy environment. For Massachusetts schools aiming to meet modern hygiene standards, cleaning and infrastructure must go hand in hand.

How Massachusetts Schools Are Performing

Based on our on-site audits and feedback from school administrators, here’s a breakdown of what Jan-Ex has seen:

• Restrooms and classrooms are getting high attention

• Locker rooms and staff kitchens often fall below acceptable standards

• HVAC maintenance remains one of the least consistently implemented protocols

  
  

Common Areas Where Schools Struggle

Even high-performing districts have weak spots. Here’s where we commonly find gaps:

1. Teacher Lounges and Shared Appliances: Microwaves, coffee machines, and fridge handles often escape routine cleaning—yet they’re some of the most used surfaces.

2. Locker Rooms and Sports Equipment: We’ve seen athletic facilities with excellent gym floors but neglected foam mats, shared gear, and lockers—prime zones for staph and mildew.

3. Technology Touchpoints: Keyboards, tablets, smartboards, and even printer panels are frequently missed during daily disinfection.

4. HVAC and Airflow Systems: While ventilation is crucial to air quality, schools rarely have documented cleaning schedules for air returns or filters—especially in older buildings.

Tips to Elevate Your Cleaning Program

Want to align your cleaning program with Massachusetts expectations? Start here:

• Document cleaning frequencies and assign accountability to each zone

• Use color-coded cleaning cloths and mops to reduce cross-contamination

• Invest in asthma-safe, non-fragranced disinfectants

• Train staff on PPE use, safe chemical storage, and disinfectant dwell times

• Schedule quarterly walkthroughs with your cleaning vendor to adjust based on season, illness trends, or school calendar events (We would love to be your cleaning vendor to help out!)

  
  

Let’s Bring Your School’s Cleaning Up to Standard

Parents, teachers, and even students are more aware than ever of the importance of a clean learning environment. If your current janitorial team isn’t keeping up with Mass. state standards—or if you simply want a fresh set of eyes on your program—we can help.

At Jan-Ex, we serve K–12 facilities across New England with custom cleaning programs that align with the latest and greatest cleaning standards for K–12 schools.

Schedule Your Free Cleaning Walkthrough

Let’s review your current plan and show you exactly where you stand—and how to improve.

Schedule a Free Walkthrough Email: cstanza@jan-ex.com or just Call: (617) 294-9815

Works Cited

• Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. (2023). Environmental Cleaning and Ventilation Guidance for Schools.

• Massachusetts Department of Public Health. (2023). Infection Control Recommendations for K–12 Settings.

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfection in Schools.

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). List N Disinfectants.

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (n.d.). Hazard Communication and Bloodborne Pathogens Standards.

• Boston 25 News. (2025). Disgusting conditions at Milford High School raise health concerns.