Public Bathrooms are Everywhere! A Clean Restroom Means Happy Patrons

Having a clean restroom doesn't have to be a chore. With the proper cleaning supplies, your business can keep its restrooms clean and your patrons happy.

Did you know that people bring 500,000 bacterial cells per square inch into public bathrooms every hour? According to a 2011 study, skin-associated bacteria could be found on bathroom faucets, doorknobs and handles, soap dispensers, and stalls.

 The 2011 study published in the journal PLOS ONE also said they found 19 phyla of bacteria in 12 public restrooms. A Phyla is a major lineage of the domain Bacteria. 

Having a clean restroom is important, especially in public. It's more important now than ever during our current pandemic. Keep reading to find out the best practices you can use to keep your public bathroom up to standards.

Toilets

Let's get right down to it and start with the toilet.  As mentioned above, toilets in public bathrooms harbor tons of germs and bacteria. Not only is it flat-out gross not to keep your public bathroom sanitary, but you can also lose money if you don't.

Did you know Americans choose businesses based on restroom cleanliness? A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel study found that Americans believe if they encounter a dirty restroom the rest of the services in that place of business are tainted. 

Toilets are obviously a major cause for concern when it comes to bacteria and illness. The act of flushing propels germs anywhere from three to six feet. 

First, you need the right toilet cleaning supplies. Use rubber gloves, face-covering, and eye protection, a toilet scrub brush, liquid toilet cleaner, spray cleaner, disposable rags, sponges, and paper towels.

Make sure the content of the cleaners is commercial grade. Take a look at these all-purpose cleaners. 

Flush the toilet and add a toilet cleaning solution. Let it sit for 15 minutes. While you're letting the toilet cleaner work its magic, you can clean the outer surfaces of the toilet.

Spray all areas of the outer toilet and let it sit for five minutes. Don't forget the handle. Toilet handles are extremely dirty and filled with extra bacteria. When it's time, make sure you wipe down all surfaces thoroughly, not missing anything.

Now, it's time to clean the inside of the toilet. Take your scrub brush and go from the top down. Start under the rim and get all of the piled-up gunk out of there.

Then, proceed to clean the rest. Close the lid and flush. Pour more solution into the bowl and leave it for the next flush cycle. 

Make sure the stall is stocked with seat covers and toilet paper. On a side note, you should have a sanitizing dispenser installed in each bathroom stall. 

Urinals

First, flush the urinal. Then, remove any debris and mats or screens. After that, you need to squirt the toilet bowl cleaner all around the urinal. Make sure you get all of it covered and let it sit for 15 minutes. 

While waiting, spray the outside of the urinal thoroughly and let it soak in for five minutes. Again, don't forget the handle and piping. When it's time, wipe down the outer part of the urinal with a sponge or rag. 

After 15 minutes scrub the side of the urinal and add a new mat or screen. You can install urinal mats that kill bacteria and deodorize also. They'll keep your urinal clean, the bathroom smelling fresh, and it even helps clean out the pipes over time. 

You should consider switching to waterless urinals. They contain less moisture and harbor fewer bacteria. 

Sinks and Countertops

Cleaning the sinks and countertops in your public bathroom is important as well.

Sinks are where bacteria go when washed from your hands. They also can have standing water for quite some time and that can cause mold and mildew. To clean a sink in a public restroom you should spray it with a commercial-grade cleanser and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. 

Remember the handles and knobs and the faucet are very important here. People often turn knobs after they've washed their hands and most don't use a towel when doing so. After 10 minutes is up, scrub everything with a sponge until it's spotless.

As for the countertops, you'll want to use a commercial-grade cleaner for whatever surface the countertops are. Again let the cleaner soak in for at least 10 minutes and wipe thoroughly. 

Bathroom Floor

According to the survey Microbial Biogeography of Public Restroom Surfaces, bathroom floors have 230 bacterial species as opposed to the 150 found in other areas of the room. 

The first thing you should do to get a clean bathroom floor is to sweep up any dust. Then, you need to get off all the scuff marks and other grimy residues.

After that, it's time to douse the floor with a high-level commercial-grade cleaning agent. Let it sit for no less than 15 minutes. When the time's up, use a mop to wipe the floor thoroughly. 

Door Handles, Knobs, Soap Dispensers, and Light Switches

In life, oftentimes it's the little things that matter. When it comes to cleaning a public restroom, that's completely true.

So, you've done all the dirty work and cleaned all the big spaces and obvious areas of your public bathroom; now it's time to get into the nooks and crannies, so to speak.

Don't forget to sanitize all the doors, door handles, knobs, and locks. Also, remember to clean the soap dispensers and light switches. These areas can harbor a lot of germs too. 

Now You Have a Clean Restroom

If you follow this guide you'll have a clean restroom from top to bottom. Customers will notice your care and keep bringing their business back.

Plus, you'll have the added peace of mind knowing you are taking the correct precautions to prevent the spread of bacteria and disease, which we know is more important than ever in these COVID-19 times. 

Remember, providing a clean restroom and toilet isn't just about disinfecting, it's also about upkeep. Bathrooms should be cleaned twice a day at a minimum and more in those with higher amounts of traffic in and out.

Click here to contact us for help making your public bathroom as clean as it can be.