While procedures for cleaning restrooms in a green maintenance program are similar to those in a traditional cleaning program, restrooms should be cleaned frequently using appropriate products because of their heavy use and moisture.
The cleaning must be done thoroughly, including hard-to-reach areas such as behind toilets and around urinals. Periodically deep- or machine-scrub restroom floors with a disinfectant, following the label directions for appropriate dilution and recommended dwell time to enable thorough germ-kill. Dwell time for many disinfectants is from several to 10 minutes.
Many restroom cleaning products are hazardous, such as drain cleaners and toilet bowl cleaners, although less toxic alternatives are available (see Products Section and Appendices). Make sure that appropriate personal protective equipment recommended by product manufacturers is used. Never mix chemical products.
Paper dispensers and trash cans used in restrooms to dispense or dispose of paper hand towels should be “touch-free,” which reduces the potential for cross-contamination of bacteria and other potentially harmful pathogens. Large trash cans can minimise overflow and reduce the frequency of policing the area.
For a restroom cleaning process, staff should clean from high to low, towards the doorway, and do dry work before wet work, through a process such as the following:
- Check the supply cart for proper equipment and supplies.
- Prepare the area. Place a “Restroom Closed” sign at the door, if applicable.
- Re-stock supplies and clean the exterior of all dispensers including paper towel, feminine hygiene, toilet tissue, and hand soap dispensers.
- Remove trash from waste receptacles. Clean receptacles with a disinfectant cleaner, and replace the liners.
- Dust mop, sweep, or vacuum the floor, and pick up collected debris with a dustpan.
- Clean sinks using a disinfectant cleaner and abrasive sponge, first making sure they safe for surfaces including chrome. Leave disinfectant on surfaces according to the manufacturer’s dwell-time directions.
- Clean mirrors with glass cleaner and soft, clean cloths, or use an applicator and squeegee. Microfiber cloths enable cleaning glass and mirrors with water only and without chemicals.
- Clean and disinfect toilets and/or urinals. Remove urinal screens. Using a bowl swab, force the water level down in urinals and toilet bowls by repeatedly pushing the swab down the throat or flush path. Apply bowl cleaner to the exposed interior surfaces of the bowls and urinals, especially under the rim. Allow time for the chemical to work, while cleaning partitions and showers (several to 10 minutes, based on the manufacturer’s directions).
- Remove graffiti from walls and stall partitions. Clean stall partitions and walls as needed with the disinfectant cleaner.
- Clean both sides of entrance/exit doors with a disinfectant cleaner, paying special attention to hand contact areas.
- Return to scrub the inside of the bowls and urinals with a bowl swab or brush. Use a brush or abrasive sponge for difficult soils. Clean the exterior of the bowls and urinals with a disinfectant cleaner. Clean both sides of the toilet seat. Clean the walls around the bowls or urinals with a disinfectant cleaner. Flush bowls and urinals. Polish all chrome surfaces with a dry cloth after cleaning with a disinfectant cleaner.
- Scrub the floor with a disinfectant cleaner using a wet mop, bucket, and wringer. If needed, scrub the floor grout with a tile and grout brush. Rinse with clear water. Squeegee or vacuum up water, if necessary. Note: Floors, since they are not considered to be hand touch points, may not need to be disinfected if properly maintained.
- Sink, shower, or floor drains with drain maintainer, if necessary. ∞ Inspect the work. If satisfactory, allow the floor to dry and re-open the restroom. Return the cart to the supply area and restock. The following additional requirements apply:
- On surfaces touched by hands (e.g., door knobs, light switches, handles, etc.), clean and disinfect more frequently as traffic requires.
- Control and remove standing moisture from floor and restroom surfaces in a timely manner.
- Use equipment specifically for restroom cleaning. Restroom cleaning equipment, except for powered equipment, should not be used to clean any other areas of the building.
- Pull restroom trash liners daily at a minimum and disinfect the trash receptacle. Fill all drain traps on a regular basis.
Non-chemical interventions are also available to assist with sanitising or disinfecting restrooms (see Products Section and Appendices).
See Products Section and Appendices for more information about:
- Lime and scale remover
- Restroom cleaners
- Restroom disinfectants
- Urinal deodorisers
- Graffiti removers
- Janitorial equipment
Action Items
- Make sure sanitising and disinfecting solutions are prepared and used properly (e.g., dwell time) and remix as required.
- Frequently clean surfaces that hands touch (touch points) to eliminate the spread of germs (such as doorknobs, light switches, and handles).
- Eliminate moisture buildup through good cleaning practices and by ensuring that adequate exhaust ventilation is supplied.
- Keep floors as dry as possible to eliminate slips and falls and the build-up of bacteria, mould, and mildew.
Further information about Cleaning:
- What is Cleaning?
- Cleaning Procedure
- How to improve cleaning?
- How to train your cleaning employees?
- How to guide cleaning staff?
- How to keep and maintain communication with cleaners?
- About entryways and lobbies cleaning?
- How is dust cleaned?
- How to mop dust
- Floor care and maintenance
- How to maintain hard floor?
- Floor stripping and removal
- Buffing and burnishing techniques
- Carpet maintenance and care
- Carpet extraction and cleaning
- How to Cleaning Data Centre and Server Room?
- How to Clean Computer and Keyboard?
- How to clean your restroom
- What is disinfection?
- How to reduce solid waste?
- Pets cleaning management
- How indoor plans help in cleaning the environment?
- What are the special needs for cleaning?
- Information about cleaning products
- What are concentrated cleaning products?
- What do all-purpose cleaners mean?
- Facts about restroom cleaners
- How to disinfect your restroom?
- Facts about carpet cleaners
- What is chrome cleaner and polisher?
- What is dust treatment?
- Facts about floor finish
- Floor strippers meaning
- Information about Furniture polishes
- General degreasers
- Information on general degreasers
- General disinfectants and cleanings
- Glass cleaners
- Graffiti removers
- Gum removers
- Lime and scale removers
- What is a sanitiser?
- Solvent spot removers absorbents
- Urinal deodorisers
- Wood and stone floor coatings
- Disposable paper and plastic bags
- Selection and use of janitorial equipment
- How to clean a dry floor?