What is the definition of a clean restroom, scientifically speaking?
A clean restroom is a neat, orderly and healthy environment where harmful microorganisms are under control and the room is free of unwanted substances, pollutants, residues and odors. Cleaning is an activity, a process and a form of management. For instance, cleaning a restroom includes the activity of trash removal, the process of orderly filling dispensers and management of the cleaning process including the sequence of tasks. Clean restrooms don’t just happen by accident. It takes good planning and management to provide safe, clean and healthy restroom facilities.
How do you know when a public restroom is clean?
Generally speaking, the restroom is clean when you walk into it and it meets your specific cleaning standards. Below is a list of specific things you would want to see when entering a clean restroom. The restroom is usually considered clean when:
- All dispensers are clean and correctly filled with the appropriate supplies.
- All restroom fixtures are clean and free of all soils, smudges, fingerprints, marks, oils and other residues.
- All toilets and toilet seats are clean, dry and free of all soils, urine, body fluids, spots, splatters, stains and other residues.
- All urinals and urinal screens are clean, dry and free of all soils, urine, body fluids, spots, splatters, stains and other residues.
- All sinks and drinking fountains are clean, dry and free of all water spots, soils, splatters, soap deposits and other residues.
- All floor drain covers are clean and free of soils, lint, mop strings, dirt and other residues.
- All restroom floor surfaces are clean, dry, slip resistant and free of soils, dirt, buildups, gum, urine, feces, body fluids, mildew, mold and other residues.
- All ceiling vents are clean and free of all soils, lint and other residues.
- All mirrors and metal fixtures are clean and free of smudges, finger marks, splatters, water spots, streaks and other soils and residues.
- Restroom air is fresh and free of unpleasant odors.
- All partitions, doors, doorknobs, walls and ceilings are clean and free of soils, smudges, finger marks, splatters, water spots, graffiti and other residues.
- All horizontal surfaces including countertops and ledges are clean and free of soils and dirt deposits.
- All lights are operating properly and light fixtures are clean, free of all soils and residues.
- All trash has been properly removed from the receptacles with a clean liner installed correctly into the clean receptacle.
- All trash and debris has been removed from the restroom and disposed of properly.
Quality Assurance Guidelines for Restroom Cleaning:
- All air diffuser vents open, with adequate airflow and no visible soil
- All above-floor surfaces free of visible soil
- All contact surfaces disinfected
- Trash removed, liners replaced. Tops and sides of trash receptacles free of soil
- Mirrors and chrome, spot free and shining
- Paper products, soap and other dispensers, restocked and operational
- Leave towel edges available/extended and toilet seats up
- Area odor free
- Floors free of litter, build up and moisture
- No visible dust on vents, partitions tops or ledges
- No visible graffiti
- All drains free flowing
