Looking after workplace or public bathrooms is essential.
Providing the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and germs, faecal bacteria, influenza, streptococcus, E. coli, MRSA, and norovirus are just some of the hidden nasties that can be picked up without proper hygiene maintenance.
Common sense dictates then, that toilets should be cleaned frequently – but did you know there are actually no ‘official’ rules in place? Leaving hygiene levels dangerously open to interpretation. And given that cleaning the loo is no one’s favourite activity, it’s easy to see why it’s an area that frequently gets neglected.
Are you guilty of cursory wipes and half-hearted cleans? Then it’s time to get things back on track, starting with a thorough spring clean.
Equipment checklist
Before you get started, it’s important to make sure you’ve got everything you need to hand.
Cleaning essentials should include:
– Dustpan and brush
– Mop and bucket
– Microfibre cloths
– Rubber gloves
– Disinfectant
– Glass/window cleaner
– Cleaning sprays
Handy hint: when it comes to bathrooms it’s a good idea to have designated cloths for each task – you don’t want to wipe your vanity unit with the same cloth you’ve just had down the toilet! An easy way to avoid a mix-up is to colour-code your cloths.
How to carry out an effective spring clean
Close the toilets
It’s impossible to carry out a proper clean if people are forever popping in and out to use the facilities.
To avoid interruption, it’s best to close your toilets off from use while you carry out a deep clean.
Ideally, direct people to an alternative location. If that’s not possible, schedule your clean for out of hours or at the very least try to pick the quietest time of the day.
Ventilate
It’s a good idea to open or vent windows as often as possible to keep air circulating and prevent stale, stagnant smells. And after a winter of central heating, nothing says ‘spring clean’ quite like throwing open the window and letting fresh air in.
If your toilets don’t have a window, then prop open the bathroom door to allow air to circulate while you knuckle down to clean.
Empty everything out
Next up is to move everything out of the bathroom. Bins, soap dispensers, coat stands, ornaments, air fresheners, leaflet racks – if it can be moved, take it out! This will give you better access to tight spots and ensure no area goes untouched.
Declutter
Everything that has been lifted out of the bathroom now needs a thorough clean before it comes back in. Before you do though, question if the item is really needed.
The less clutter you have the easier – and quicker – it will be to clean going forward, helping you to stay on top of things.
Target high-level and hard to reach areas
Typically, it’s the obvious places that get cleaned the most – toilet seats, sinks, taps etc. For your spring clean, focus on all key touchpoints – door handles, locks, light switches etc. – but also concentrate on the areas that are hard to reach and likely haven’t been touched for some time. Such as the tops of cupboards and the awkward nooks and crannies around exposed pipework.
Wipe floors and walls
While you’re focusing on areas that aren’t frequently cleaned, add walls to your list.
Not somewhere you probably think about wiping down during a regular clean, but toilet cubicle walls can harbour a multitude of germs and should be a key area to target during a deep clean.
Clean windows
You might have a window cleaner to look after the outside but who cleans your windows inside?
Not only will cleaning the glass remove any dirt and marks, but it can really help to brighten things up – don’t forget any mirrors too.
Wipe signage
Male or female WC signs, baby change, disabled toilets, finger plates – all these areas should be carefully cleaned and buffed back up to restore their lustre.
Replace damaged fittings
Damaged vanity units, rusty locks that need manhandling to get into place, and broken hinges don’t just look bad, they can all impact the overall cleanliness of your washroom too – providing the perfect hiding places for dirt and bacteria to hide. So if a fixture or fitting is broken, or has seen better days, it’s worth considering a replacement.
Keep up the good work
Now you have everywhere spic and span, you want to keep it that way.
– Ensure users have everything they need to maintain good personal hygiene and keep supplies of soap, paper towels etc. well stocked.
– It’s worth making antibacterial cleaning wipes readily available for quick cleans too, as this will help to maintain high hygiene standards and keep things fresh.
– Has it really been that long? Establishing a rota provides structure and stops time from creeping on before your next clean. The exact frequency should depend on the traffic your commercial toilets see and could range from hourly to daily or even weekly – but it’s not recommended to stretch further than this.
– In terms of more comprehensive cleaning, yes, programming in a spring clean each year is great, but it’s a better idea to do deep cleans more regularly. Not only will this keep your toilet facilities clean and presentable all year round, but it will make the task less arduous and time-consuming.
Need a hand?
If all the cleaning in the world still can’t make your toilets look clean and presentable, or you’re worried about the dirt and germs that may be lurking around old rusty fittings, it could be time to replace your toilet cubicles and fixtures.
At MP Fittings, we have a great range of toilet cubicles and toilet cubicle hardware available. Shop the range now or to speak with a member of the team call 0151 345 0699. Alternatively, you can fill in our contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.