(BPT) - As students, teachers and administrators return to school, creating clean learning environments is critical. Schools are heavily trafficked, densely occupied spaces with lots of potential for pathogens to spread on classroom surfaces from desks to doorknobs, leading to shared germs and missed school days. In fact, germs from bacteria and viruses lead to 189 million missed school days every year.

But it's possible to prevent germs from spreading quickly, so students and staff can focus on what matters most - learning.

"Back to school doesn't have to mean back to sniffles," said Kirsten Hochberg, Ph.D., Senior Clinical and Scientific Affairs Specialist at CloroxPro. "Simple steps can make a world of difference towards helping keep kids healthy and in school."

Every effort cleaning professionals make is an investment in student and staff well-being and success. Clean schools do more than reduce absences and support overall wellness - they also enable students to focus better and feel less stress. Here are some best practices to help schools stay clean and keep students thriving.

Clean as a team

It's impossible for cleaning professionals to be everywhere at once. Train teachers on correct cleaning and disinfecting protocols to foster a teamwork approach. Surfaces, classrooms, lunch areas and other common areas are perfect places for germs to spread. Disinfect frequently touched surfaces like desks, door handles, light switches and water fountain push bars regularly. Ready-to-use wipes help teachers quickly and efficiently clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces, especially after a sneeze or cough. Clorox^® Disinfecting Wipes and Clorox^® EcoClean Disinfecting Wipes kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, helping create a clean and healthy learning environment.

In eating areas, it's best to clean before snack time and lunch. For detailed guidance, consult CloroxPro's K-12 Facilities Cleaning and Disinfection Protocol Guide.

Consider eco-conscious products

Children have different behaviors and needs than adults, which is why it's important to tailor cleaning practices for schools. For example, children can be more sensitive to certain fragrances or chemical smells - making eco-conscious products a great option for learning environments.

Eco-conscious products are comfortable to use, don't require gloves or other PPE, and are just as effective as traditional products. For example, disinfectant active ingredients like citric acid and lactic acid kill bacteria and viruses as effectively as traditional disinfecting products.

In addition to being a good option for use in schools, 61% of cleaning professionals feel that eco-conscious cleaners offer a more comfortable cleaning experience for themselves and others in the facility. The Eco-Conscious Cleaning in Schools Toolkit is a great resource to ensure effective cleaning and disinfection without tradeoffs.

Look for certifications when choosing eco-conscious products

Regulations in 15 states require Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) policies in K-12 schools and facilities. These EPP policies range from recommended to mandatory and affect 27% of elementary and secondary public schools.

When searching for eco-conscious products, look for products that are EPA Safer Choice or EPA Design for the Environment certified. Both certifications indicate the product is audited annually and meets specific criteria for efficacy, human health and environmental safety. Products with these certifications also satisfy EPP requirements.

Keep schools clean with CloroxPro

By remaining vigilant and following best practices, cleaning staff, teachers and administrators can create safer classrooms, reduce the risk of illness, and help ensure that students have the best possible opportunity to learn and thrive throughout the school year. Cleaning professionals know better than anyone how important it is to keep kids' learning environments clean and healthy, and it all starts with tried-and-true cleaning and disinfecting protocols and products, like Clorox Disinfecting Wipes and Clorox EcoClean Disinfecting Wipes. Two wipes, one mission: cleaner, healthier schools. Start the year strong with the trusted tools that help protect students, staff and peace of mind.

Check out CloroxPro's School Wellness Toolkit for best practices for keeping schools clean. For product recommendations and resources, go to CloroxPro.com.