California Code of Regulations
Title 22 - Social Security
Division 12 - Child Care Facility Licensing Regulations
Chapter 1 - Child Care Center General Licensing Requirements
Subchapter 2 - Infant Care Center
Article 7 - Physical Environment
Section 101438.1 - Infant Care General Sanitation

Universal Citation: 22 CA Code of Regs 101438.1

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) All items used by pets and animals shall be kept out of the reach of infants.

(b) Each caregiver shall wash his/her hands with soap and water before each feeding and after each diaper change.

(1) Only dispenser soap, such as liquid or powder in an appropriate dispenser, shall be used.

(2) Only disposable paper towels in an appropriate holder or dispenser shall be used for hand drying.

(c) Washing, cleaning and sanitizing requirements for areas used by staff with infants, or for areas that infants have access to, are as follows:

(1) Floors, except those carpeted, shall be vacuumed or swept and mopped with a disinfecting solution at least daily, or more often if necessary.

(2) Carpeted floors and large throw rugs that cannot be washed shall be vacuumed at least daily and cleaned at least every six months, or more often if necessary.
(A) Small rugs that can be washed shall be shaken or vacuumed at least daily and washed at least weekly, or more often if necessary.

Commercial-type cleaning machines commonly available through rental stores, grocery stores, etc., may be used to clean carpets and large rugs. A professional cleaning service may also be hired.

(3) Walls and portable partitions shall be washed with a disinfecting solution at least weekly, or more often if necessary.

(4) The diaper-changing area, where residue is splashed from soiled diapers and items and surfaces are touched by staff during the diaper-changing process, shall be washed and disinfected after each diaper change. Such areas, items and surfaces shall include but not be limited to:
(A) Walls and floors surrounding the immediate diaper-changing area.

(B) Dispensers for talc, lotion, soap and paper towels.

(C) Countertops, sinks, drawers and cabinets.

(5) Sinks used to wash infants, or to rinse soiled clothing or diapers, shall be disinfected after each use.

(d) Objects used by infants that are mouthed shall be washed and disinfected at least daily, or more often if necessary. Such objects shall include, but not be limited to, toys and blankets.

(e) Linens laundered by the center shall be washed and sanitized at least daily, or more often if necessary. Such linens shall include, but not be limited to, bedding, towels and washcloths used on or by infants.

(f) A disinfecting solution, which shall be used after surfaces and objects have been cleaned with a detergent or other cleaner, shall be freshly prepared each day using 1/4 cup of bleach per gallon of water. Commercial disinfecting solutions, including one-step cleaning/disinfecting solutions, may be used in accordance with label directions.

(g) All disinfectants, cleaning solutions and other hazardous materials shall be removed immediately and stored as specified in Section 101238.

1. Amendment filed 4-6-87; operative 5-6-87 (Register 87, No. 16).
2. Amendment filed 9-14-98; operative 11-1-98 (Register 98, No. 38).

Note: Authority cited: Section 1596.81, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 1596.72, 1596.73, 1596.81 and 1597.05, Health and Safety Code.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. California may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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