TOLEDO, Ohio -- It’s said that we spend an average of 1.5 years of our lives in restrooms, and whether we know it or not, we all subliminally judge facilities’ cleanliness by the upkeep of the restroom. Does it smell clean? Are there papers on floor? Does the chrome shine? Does the countertop area look clean? Is the porcelain white? Are the garbage receptacles empty? So why not make the restroom a focal point of your cleaning standards.
In fact restroom cleanliness was so important to Ed Rensi (former CEO of McDonalds) that he devoted an entire afternoon to the importance of the notion.
Here are some tips to keep restrooms looking and smelling clean:
Develop a Checklist
Ensure that restrooms exceed user expectations; establish and document cleaning procedures. A good cleaning strategy will include a recurring combination of spot cleaning, daily cleaning and deep cleaning methods. By establishing a regular cleaning checklist and properly training employees on procedures, even the busiest restrooms can maintain high levels of cleanliness.
Select Products That Perform
In addition to supplies such as soap and toilet paper, select products to protect, maintain and deep clean restroom surfaces, such as registered disinfectants. This includes products that will keep the restroom looking and smelling clean during use, such as air fresheners (automatic or handheld), touchless fixtures (faucets, soap dispensers and flush mechanisms) and fragranced urinal screens. Restroom products that help maintain cleanliness include cleaning solutions and tools such as floor cleaning equipment, chemical dispensing systems and cleaning charts.
Measuring Cleanliness
To validate the effectiveness of cleaning methods and products, qualify cleaning efforts with tools such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) meters or black lights. An ATP meter quickly detects the presence of microbial contamination on restroom surfaces to determine if the correct solutions and procedures are being used. Black lights make organic matter glow, which helps detect surface contamination throughout the restroom.
Keeping restrooms visually clean and smelling clean improves customer service and builds loyalty.
Ken Sensel is the product manager for General Cleaning, Chemical Management Systems and Healthcare at the Betco Corp. He is passionate about creating a cleaner, more sustainable future through products and programs that clients inspire and Betco create. In his personal time, Ken enjoys competing in half marathons, Toastmasters and spending time with his family.
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