Although Covid-19 has mostly passed, it has highlighted the ever-present concern with the cleanliness of public transports. This is a valid concern that many people have as it is a significant aspect of the public’s health and safety. It is CHELA’s mission to alleviate these concerns as much as we possibly can. So, for train operators or the invested citizen, use this article to understand the best practises on how trains interiors should be cleaned.

Are rail companies expected to clean their train interiors?

The answer that you are probably glad to hear is yes! Train companies are under a contract to keep their trains and stations up to a high standard of cleanliness. However, reports from The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers found that a large majority of train companies are simply inadequate in reaching these standards. So, how should train interiors be cleaned?

Cleaning requirements for trains:

We will briefly go over the items you will need below. However, we advise you to check our complete checklist on public transport cleaning (link the article on public transport cleanliness that I completed maybe) so you can make sure you have everything you will need before tackling your tra

Daily cleaning areas and techniques for public trains:

To provide a clear overview on where to target on your daily cleans, here are the areas you should focus on cleaning alongside the products that work best on that area.

Seats:

Leather Seats: To keep leather seats clean and in good condition, use leather wipes. Just give the seats a good wipe down, being sure to get into all the nooks and crannies.

Carpeted Seats: To clean and preserve carpeted seats, use Dry Foam Shampoo and Protector.
Evenly spray the seat surface with the shampoo. Give it the amount of time the manufacturer recommends to seep through the cloth. Pay particular attention to any stained spots and work the foam into the cloth with a soft brush. Vacuum the seats once the foam has dried. Finally, spraying the protector will also keep the seats cleaner and in better shape for longer.

Restrooms:

Multifunctional cleaners such as CHELA’s Guardisan HP can tackle toilet floors, panels, ceilings, toilet bowls, glass and plastics. Simply put the multifunctional cleaners into a bucket and work the cleaner into the highlighted areas with a cloth or a soft brush.

Windows:

For a simple but effective solution to leave your windows looking clean and shiny, purchase some window cleaner. Spray your window cleaner and wipe with a cloth for a streak-free and shiny finish.

Handrails:

To clean handrails, scrub them down with a disinfectant spray

And finally

Floors:

Carpeted floors: you can use the dry foam shampoo and protector that we mentioned above. Evenly cover the carpeted floor with the shampoo. Give it the necessary amount of time to seep through. Work the foam into the floor with a carpet brush or carpet cleaning machine. To get rid of any remaining dirt and residue, give the carpet a thorough vacuuming once the foam has dried. Finally, using the protector by spraying it onto the carpeted floor should keep the floors from deteriorating for longer.

Hard floors: The multifunctional cleaner we mentioned above can thoroughly tackle your trains hard floors. Dilute your cleaner according to the instructions. Apply the solution to the hard floor using a mop, focusing on areas where any new stains have appeared. Allow the solution to dry, making sure customers are made aware of any wet or damp areas that are currently drying. And that’s it!

That should leave your train interior looking clean, hygienic and safe for customer use. If you have any further questions, please contact us.