Page 1of 3
ADET PRIMARY HOSPITAL Effective June/2024-
from July 2025
Review July 2024
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP) date
DAMP MOPPING (FLOOR CLEANING)
Version 1
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Damp Mopping
(Floor cleaning)
1. Purpose
To describe the steps for effectiveand safe cleaning of floors in the health care
facilities
2. Scope
This SOP will be applied to all floors in patient care area. It provides specific
guidance for all staff directly involved in the cleaning of the floor.
3. Responsibility
Generally assigned cleaners are responsible for damp mopping; ward staff
should supervise and make sure cleanliness
4. Required standard
Floors are cleaned regularly with a frequency that's appropriate to the level of
contamination in each area.
Cleaning staff are trained on proper cleaning procedures, including use of
personal protective equipment (PPE).
5. Material requirements
Detergent solution, chlorine-based disinfectant solution, warning sign, PPE,
infectious/other waste bin/bag, mop, laundry container
6. Risks
Infection
Slip, fall accident and injury
7. Key safety rules
Use caution signs or barriers to indicate wet floors and prevent slips and falls.
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Page 2of 3
ADET PRIMARY HOSPITAL Effective June/2024-
from July 2025
Review July 2024
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP) date
DAMP MOPPING (FLOOR CLEANING)
Version 1
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves,
goggles, and aprons to reduce exposure to chemicals and other
contaminants.
Follow manufacturer's instructions when handling cleaning chemicals and
ensure they are stored appropriately.
Use color-coded cleaning materials to prevent cross-contamination between
different areas and surfaces.
Ensure all cleaning equipment and tools are properly maintained and
sanitized to prevent the growth of microorganisms.
8. Procedure
1. Perform hand hygiene.
2. Put on appropriate PPE.
3. Position warning/hazard signs where appropriate to indicate that a cleaning
task is taking place.
4. Remove larger items of debris from the floor and dispose of debris into the
appropriate bin/container.
5. Submerge the mop in detergent solution. Squeeze out excess.
6. Start at the furthest point from the exit and work backward to avoid
standingon cleaned sections. Always start from clean to dirty areas of the
room (e.g., doing bathrooms last)
7. Mop the floor edges using a straight stroke to reach corners and skirting.
Continue working from side to side in the backward direction. Use a figure-of-
eight pattern while mopping. Turn the mop frequently.
8. When finished, clean and dry equipment, or leave to dry and store equipment
appropriately in a dry storeroom.
9. Remove warning/ hazard signs.
10. Remove PPE and dispose of single-use PPE inappropriate waste
bin/container.
11. Perform hand hygiene.
9. Reference
1. Ministry of health, Ethiopia; 2023 National infection prevention and control
reference manual for healthcare service providers and managers
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ADET PRIMARY HOSPITAL Effective June/2024-
from July 2025
Review July 2024
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP) date
DAMP MOPPING (FLOOR CLEANING)
Version 1
2. Environmental cleaning and infection prevention and control in health care
facilities in low- and middle-income countries: modules and resources, 2022,
WHO
3. CDC and ICAN. Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning in Healthcare
Facilities in Resource-Limited Settings. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health
and Human Services, CDC; Cape Town, South Africa: Infection Control Africa
Network; 2019. Available at: [Link]
