As a school bus driver or someone who manages a district fleet, maintaining a clean and sanitary bus for students is your responsibility. A clean bus is essential to giving your passengers a positive experience, keeping students (and yourself) healthy, and representing your district in an upstanding, professional way.
So, what can you do to keep your bus fresh and sparkling throughout the year?
Daily Maintenance
Sticking to a regular cleaning schedule is the best way to keep your bus tidy during a hectic school year. A quick daily walk-through can make a big difference when it comes time for your next deep cleaning!
At the end of each day, take five minutes to pick up any loose trash you can spot as you walk down the aisle. This will help prevent a buildup of clutter and any nasty food or drink spillage that can turn into a health concern if left unaddressed. A quick sweep with a broom through the floors and aisle wouldn’t hurt either!
Monthly Maintenance
To keep your school bus in good shape for years to come, a more thorough cleaning should be performed about once every month. There are a few standard areas to focus on when you tackle your deep bus cleaning.
Seats
Between all the different butts and bags your bus seats see in a month, a routine disinfecting becomes essential. Wipe down the seats themselves, backs, and sides with a surface antibacterial solution to remove the layer of accumulated dirt and bacteria. Try to avoid harsh treatment that can cause damage to vinyl seats.
Let the cleaner sit for a few minutes before wiping it off with a paper towel or light rag. This is also a good time to remove any trash stuck between the seats and the wall.
Walls, Ceiling & Roof
The best way to clean a school bus is from top to bottom, so you can do a final floor wash at the end and take care of any debris and dirt that has come loose during the rest of the process.
Wipe down the roof, latches, ceiling, and walls with the same surface cleaner you used for the seats. For tough spots with caked on grime, WD-40 or even a simple goo remover should do the trick!
Windows
How many times have you seen a kid wipe their hands on the windows or lay their head against them for a nap? Those germs build up fast! Spend some quality time with the Windex bottle and dry with newspaper for less streaking. Don’t forget to get the windshield, mirrors, and door panels too.
Floors & Aisle
Once you’ve hit the seats, ceiling, walls, and windows, it’s time to drop down and clean the floor! If your bus is newer or has plywood floors, it’s best to mop up with a floor cleaner or just soap and hot water. If it’s a bus with older floors, you can just hose it out completely. Finish it off with a coat of clear liquid floor wax.
A few tips for stubborn damage:
- Gum—you’ll have more success going at it with a putty knife or plain old razor blade than endless scrubbing (or try that WD-40!)
- Mildew—apply hot water and bleach, be sure to keep windows open until everything has dried completely
- Ink—a few solutions you can try are rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, hand cleaner designed for mechanics, or even hairspray
Even if you religiously follow every piece of expert advice for bus cleaning, there comes a time when every school bus must face retirement. If it’s time for your school bus to be replaced or you’re looking for new vehicles to add to your fleet, Las Vegas Bus Sales can set you up with everything you need!
Visit our website or schedule a trip to our facility to explore our wide selection of new and used school buses, all free of rust and available with convenient financing options. Our experts are always on hand and determined to help you find the perfect vehicle!
