Hygienic Restroom Maintenance

Cross-contamination: There are a number of ways to prevent the spread of germs when cleaning a restroom. First, experts say, kill the germs by using disinfectant solutions properly.

In order to disinfect, it is important to carefully follow label directions which include specifics on how the cleaner is to be applied and the duration it should remain on the surface to achieve the required disinfection levels.

Other recommendations include using a colour-coded system when cleaning. With a system like this, tools that are one colour can be used for cleaning toilets. This type of system will make sure that management, as well as the cleaning staff, do not use any of these tools outside the restroom.

Touch-free cleaning is another method that reduces the risks of cross-contamination. Although the idea of touch-free cleaning is newer, departments continue to experiment with its features. With these systems, cleaning personnel never have to touch a contaminated surface. Instead, users clean with an all-in-one machine featuring a pressure washer, chemical injection and a wet-dry vacuum.

Soap and towel dispensers that don’t work: Managers may wish to consider offering patrons both hand towel machines and air driers, for instance, so that there will always be an alternative if one or the other can’t be used. Conscientious service, repair and replacement of machines also help eliminate this common complaint.

Unsightly garbage: Regardless of whether a restroom is disinfected properly, unsightly garbage can make it appear unsanitary. Studies show that people often use a towel on door handles when leaving restrooms and if a garbage receptacle isn’t nearby, they often drop the towel on the floor. Analyzing traffic and these types of use patterns will help determine whether alternate placement or additional receptacles are needed.

Soiled or stained surfaces: An obvious first step in cleaning would be the removal of visible soiling. Both the nature of the surface and the nature of the soil will affect which tools and cleansers to use. Degreasers, for instance, might be just the ticket for some of the surface stains found in fast-food restaurant facilities.

Industry manufacturers advise that users proceed with caution when using various cleansers. There are many very aggressive cleaners, which can remove soils but will also harm finishes. Surface damage only makes maintaining cleanliness and appearance that much more difficult in the future. Thus, selection of the mildest, yet effective cleaners is the best approach to balance these factors.

Persistent odours: When dealing with this common complaint, building managers are advised to look down – at the grout or the floor drain.

Often, odour-causing bacteria are found in grout lines where mops may not reach. If this is the case, it may be helpful to re-evaluate the products used to do this cleaning.

On other occasions the best thing to do is to look up, because light fixtures and even ceilings can harbour bacteria or mildew spores. It is important to note that thorough ventilation is important in higher humidity environments such as restrooms and may reduce these types of odours.

Managers dealing with a lot of traffic in and out of restrooms, such as those found in schools and airports, for instance, should carefully assess regular cleaning schedules to make sure these problems are addressed.

Maintenance Procedures

Required supplies & equipment:

• Cream cleanser, mild acid cleanser or germicidal solution
• Disposable gloves
• Dust pan and broom
• Glass cleaner
• Hand held scrubbing pads
• 5 gallon bucket
• Hand soap
• Aerosol deodorizers & dispenser
• Mop bucket with wringer
• Restroom closed sign
• Toilet bowl cleaner
• Restroom disinfectant

Prepare the area: Knock on the outside door. Open it slightly and announce your intention to enter. If the restroom is occupied, wait until it is empty. Then open and “stop” the door and post a restroom closed sign.

Toilet bowls and urinals: Apply toilet bowl disinfectant cleaner to toilets and urinals. Follow the instructions printed on container. Let the cleaner stand while the balance of the restroom is being cleaned.

Replenish supplies: Refill all hand soap, hand towel, toilet tissue and sanitary supply dispensers. Check the metered deodorizers and refill them when it is necessary. Check the working condition of all the dispensers in the restroom.

High dust: Remove all dust webs with a feather duster. Clean the wall vents, top of doors and partitions with wipers dampened with disinfectant solution.

Clean light fixtures and mirrors: Wipe off the light fixtures and mirrors with glass cleaner and clean wipers. Move around the restroom until all are cleaned.

Clean washbasins: Using a cream cleanser, mild acid cleanser or germicidal solution (depending on soil levels) clean the interior surfaces of all wash basins. Exterior surfaces, faucets and piping under basins should also be cleaned daily. Wipe chrome dry with a soft cloth or wiper. Wash basin should be disinfected during each cleaning operation. Do not use powerful acid toilet bowl and urinal cleaners in wash basins. Wash basins are made of baked enamel that will be removed by strong acids or scrubbing with harsh abrasives. Use strong acid cleaners only on vitreous china toilets and urinals. Check faucets for dripping and ease of operation; also check the drain flow to see that each drain is clean and empties the wash basin.

Spot clean walls and partitions: Dampen a cloth or spray one of the restroom disinfectants directly on to the surface. Wipe off shelves, dispensers, receptacles, doors and partitions.

Clean inside of toilets and urinals: Clean toilet bowls and urinals thoroughly with toilet brush or swab and disinfectant cleaner or proper acid cleaner. Check toilets and urinals with a flashlight mirror for stains and incrustations that are under the rim. Do not damage the smooth surface of vitreous china toilets and urinals by heavy scrubbing with abrasive materials. Flush, agitate with the brush or bowl swab. Flush again.

Cleaning process

A cleaning cart that is organised, with a specific place designated for each supply item and tool, will save time and make replenishing supplies easier.

Steps for cleaning:

• Collect trash/litter from the floor and other surfaces and place in a waste bag.
• Empty waste receptacles when over half full; pack contents with tool, not hand; place feminine waste into hazardous waste “red” bag.
• Inspect and fill toilet paper, paper towel, seat cover, and soap dispensers when less than half full (as applicable); test for proper operation.
• Spot clean mirrors.
• Inspect all basins and counters and spot clean with a disinfectant solution.
• Inspect all urinals/toilets, flush as needed, and spot clean with disinfectant solution.
• Spot clean dispenser cabinets, partitions, stalls, walls and doors; check for graffiti and remove.
• Using a disinfectant cleaner, wipe wet or soiled areas around sinks or on floor.
• Check and report malfunctioning toilets, urinals and sinks.
• Once a day, remove all trash, refill all dispensers, detail mirrors and other surfaces, scrub/disinfect the insides and outsides of sinks, urinals & toilets and wet mop/disinfect floors.

Common mistakes

Perhaps the greatest procedural fault in daily restroom cleaning is damp mopping, instead of wet mopping.

Disinfectants need 10 minutes dwell time to kill bacteria and to thoroughly dissolve soil. Damp mopping doesn’t allow enough contact time for proper disinfecting or cleaning, resulting in bacterial buildup, soiling and odours.

Proper mopping involves two steps:

• Applying cleaning/disinfecting solution liberally to the floor to enable 10 minutes of wet contact.
• Removing the soiled solution and to be sure to put up wet floor warning signs and barricades.

Since dwell time is important for the disinfecting/cleaning process, consider using adhering foam cleaners for vertical surfaces.

• Deep clean restrooms periodically (weekly or monthly)
• High dusting
• Lights, vents and ceiling washing
• Partition washing
• Wall and door washing
• Mineral buildup removal from fixtures
• Cleaning undersides of fixtures and dispensers
• Scrubbing floors, including edges
• Servicing traps should also be part of a restroom maintenance programme.
• Fill floor drain traps with water periodically to prevent sewer gas backup.
• Malfunctioning fixtures, including inoperable exhaust fan, should be reported for repair.

Smita Mahale