Cleaning a Commercial Washroom

When cleaning your washroom do you have the correct equipment and know-how to do the job effectively?

Follow this guide to cleaning a commercial washroom to provide a sanitary space where regular cleaning is simple and effective. 

Here at Consumables Unlimited we can supply you with all the cleaning products and equipment that you will need to complete the job all at great prices! 

Before you get started

• Ensure no one is using the facilities before you begin cleaning. Have a ‘Cleaning in Progress’ sign in clear view. Protect others by putting out a caution sign to stop them from slipping on wet floors or from coming into close contact with chemicals. 
• Make sure you prepare to clean with the proper equipment and tools. You will need something in which to store your products and equipment. This caddy can be used to store all of your washroom products together so they can be easily accessed and efficiently stored away in the cupboard after use.
• Have to hand some sort of waste management such as a bin bag so that anything that needs to be disposed of can be done so hygienically and without risk of contamination. View our selection here.
• Ventilate the area as much as you can in order to minimise any inhalation of chemicals.
• Protect yourself by putting on suitable PPE. Are you working with harsh chemicals that might be dangerous when breathed in? If so, you may need a face mask. You should always wear protective gloves when handling chemicals, potential contaminants or when cleaning areas that carry harmful bacteria.
• In case of accidental contact from chemicals, is there a first aid kit or eye wash solution available?
• All washroom janitorial products should be correctly colour coded so they are only used for their intended use. See our blog on colour coded cleaning equipment.

Cleaning tip: Don’t forget the touch points. You’ll obviously focus on the high-bacteria areas such as toilets and sinks and areas with visible dirt on them, but don’t forget door handles to the washroom itself as well as each individual cubicle (inside and out), doors, bins, soap dispensers and paper towel dispensers.

Products

• Surface cleaner that is effective against a range of bacteria that would be found in a washroom.
• Glass cleaner for mirrors and windows (tip – Sterizar hard surface cleaner can be used as a glass cleaner as well as a disinfectant)
• Floor cleaner 
• Toilet cleaner and descaler
• Urinal blocks for freshness
• Products to maintain drains and reduce blockages
• Air freshener 

Cleaning tip: Put your toilet cleaner/descaler down the toilet as soon as you begin the cleaning process and make flushing it away the last thing you do. This way it has a good amount of time to get to work whilst you clean the rest of the washroom. The product will be working away whilst you do the same and you’ll have to use less elbow grease when it comes to cleaning/descaling it at the end. 

Equipment

• Scouring pads and cloths (in the correct colours to prevent them being used elsewhere on the premises)
• Mop and bucket. Using one with a wringer will ensure that floors are not left too wet so they don’t take too long to dry
• Squeegee to reduce excess water in changing rooms or swimming pools
• Centrefeed roll to wipe and dry surfaces when cleaning. This should be disposed of quickly after using to prevent the spread of any germs it may carry after it is used
• Heavy duty waste bags to contain waste if you have bins to empty. Clinical waste bags if you are disposing of hazardous waste. See our selection of bin bags in different sizes and strengths.

Cleaning tip: Clean from the furthest point towards the exit so when you’re finished you aren’t walking across your clean floors at the end. 

When you have finished cleaning, cast an eye over your work, making sure you have left it in a sanitary state and have taken all your products and equipment with you. For safety reasons, do not remove the wet floor signs until the floors are dry. Wash any used cloths or mop heads, rinse and dry the mop bucket and thoroughly rinse and dry any scourers used. 

Following this guide will mean you will provide a cleaner, safer and more sanitary washroom with improved appearance and customer satisfaction.