As a cleaning service provider one of your top priorities is restroom maintenance. You are charged with maintaining a restroom environment that is clean and healthy for your facility's occupants and visitors. Much of your effort is focused on proper cleaning of toilets, urinals, and floors. Those areas are the most visible and get the most scrutiny from restroom visitors. But, a truly comprehensive---and effective---restroom maintenance programs must go beyond toilets and floors.
Other areas to include in your maintenance schedule would include....
Floor Drains
An often overlooked component of floor maintenance is the floor drain. Floor drains can be a natural trap for debris and contaminates. A clogged floor drain can also create additional havoc in the event of a toilet or urinal overflow. A clogged drain can result in overflow water running out of the restroom and into other areas of the facility, creating an unsightly and unhealthy mess.
Make sure to include drain inspection and maintenance in your restroom maintenance routine. This simple step can save you from messy and embarrassing mishaps in the future.
Door Handles and Stall Latches
These are among the most high-touch areas within a restroom and, as a result, they are a prime source of bacteria and virus. These surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected at intervals that are based on restroom traffic levels. High-traffic restrooms will require multiple cleanings and disinfection's per day.
Keeping these surfaces clean and healthy will not only enhance the appearance of the restroom but will also protect its visitors from the spread of illness.
Tile Grout
A common misconception is that the mopping of a tile floor is sufficient for cleaning its grout. That is not the case. Poorly maintained grout can be a hotbed for the growth of bacteria and mold. Not only can this accumulation result in uncontrolled odor it can also create an unhealthy environment within the closed confines of the restroom.
Moisture is the enemy of grout. After cleaning your tile floor make sure that your floor---and its grout---is quickly, and thoroughly, dried. In some cases, improved restroom ventilation may be required to ensure adequate drying.
A comprehensive restroom maintenance routine will include periodic grout cleaning. This can be accomplished via a combination of solvents, steam, and brush.
Dispenser Surfaces
Everyone that enters your restroom will touch one or more of your product dispensers (soap, paper towels, etc.). This inevitably results in contamination of those surfaces with dirt, fingerprints, grime, and germs. An otherwise clean and tidy restroom can have its appearance ruined by unsightly dispenser surfaces.
Make sure your restroom maintenance checklist includes periodic cleaning and disinfection of these surfaces. Doing so will protect your visitors from exposure to unpleasant and unhealthy dispensers.
A comprehensive restroom maintenance program will provide your employees and visitors with a restroom experience that is pleasant and healthy.