Effective Restroom Cleaning and Disinfection

Whether you are a BSC or an internal operation providing cleaning services within your own facility your performance will be measured, in large part, on your ability to maintain restroom environments that are clean and healthy. Effective restroom cleaning involves not only the spraying and wiping of surface areas but also requires knowledge and application of various disinfection chemicals and procedures. A few points that should be considered.....

 Cleaning vs Disinfecting - Not the Same Thing

Any restroom surface that has been sprayed and wiped will appear to be clean. But "clean" does not always equate to "disinfected". By definition, "disinfection" is the "process of cleaning something, especially with a chemical, in order to destroy bacteria". Without use of proper cleaning agents and procedures you can end up with surfaces that are superficially clean but that have not been adequately disinfected. Effective restroom disinfection requires use of proper products and procedures:

Use of Certified Disinfecting Products

Not all cleaning solutions are equal. Some solutions will provide surface cleaning but will have no disinfectant properties. For true restroom disinfection it is essential to select products that contain disinfecting agents. Make sure to select products that have labeling that clearly specify their use as disinfectants. Proper use of those products is crucial, and special care should be taken to ensure that you follow all instructions on the product label. Most disinfectants require a specified dwell time in order to reach maximum effectiveness. That dwell time can be anywhere from 30 seconds to 10 minutes, depending on the product being used.

Restroom Cleaning Procedures

Once the proper cleaning agents have been selected there are a few basic restroom cleaning fundamentals that should be followed.

• Cleaning Frequency:  Establish a set routine cleaning frequency for your restroom(s). One method to determine cleaning frequency is to calculate the daily foot traffic for the restroom. One cleaning per day is typically the bare minimum. Higher frequencies may be required depending on restroom traffic.
• Touch-Point Cleaning:  A restroom that has only been partially disinfected is neither clean nor healthy. Effective restroom disinfection requires that all touch-points be cleaned and disinfected using the required dwell time. Restroom touch-points will include: door handles and push plates, faucet handles, toilet/urinal flush handles, soap and paper towel dispensers, light switches, partition doors, countertops, and trash can lids.
• Floors:  A restroom's floors set the tone for the entire area. If they appear dirty, the entire restroom will be assumed to be dirty. Regular mopping, with a disinfectant cleaning solution, will be required. Allow the floor to dry per the specified dwell time of the cleaning agent.
• Odor:  The masking of bad odor is only a temporary fix. The actual elimination of bad odor requires that the source of the odor be disinfected and/or removed.

Nobody wants to use a dirty, unhealthy, restroom. Following the above guidelines will help ensure that you are providing clean and healthy restroom facilities for your clients and/or your internal employees.