Unhygienic conditions in private and public washrooms can spread disease and unwanted, unpleasant odours, which can negatively impact your business’ reputation. Whatever your facility, it is essential that customers and employees alike feel comfortable returning to your premises now that Coronavirus restrictions have come to an end.
Hygiene awareness and expectations amongst consumers are likely to have risen due to the pandemic. In fact, in May 2021 we asked 33 of our frontline technicians where they’d seen the biggest uplift in specialist cleaning enquiries amongst their customer base – 44% said offices, while 33% said restaurants and pubs. As sectors continue to open back up, offices and hospitality businesses must ensure that they pay particular attention to their washrooms when it comes to cleaning.
This blog will provide you with a comprehensive checklist to follow on how to deep clean your washroom facilities, breaking the process down into easy-to-manage steps. To help prevent the build up of hidden embedded germs and bacteria, as well as to help significantly reduce the risk of illness and infection, a thorough, professional washroom deep clean is always recommended. Rentokil Specialist Hygiene’s washroom deep cleaning service will thoroughly clean and sanitise surfaces throughout your washroom facilities, including toilets and urinals, sinks and sanitary ware.
Odours
Dealing with odours in your washroom should be one of your first priorities, with 73% of Britons saying an unpleasant smell would negatively affect their perception of a venue*. Odours are also often indicative of an underlying issue, so it is important to address the root cause of the bad smell.
Many types of malodour are a byproduct of a chemical breakdown of protein molecules, bacteria and organic matter. If left untreated, the breakdown will continue to occur and the odour will intensify.
To reduce bad smells in the washroom, you can take some simple initial steps such as removing the rubbish bin and spraying air freshener. However, air fresheners or perfumes will only mask the malodour temporarily, they will not fix the problem permanently.
Rentokil Specialist Hygiene’s Air Deodoriser is specifically engineered to tackle organic washroom smells, utilising five air treatment techniques. This air treatment device helps ensure a continuous, hygienic and fresh smelling washroom environment.
Toilets and Urinals
Whilst unappealing, cleaning your toilets and urinals can be straightforward and prevent a buildup of dirt over long periods of time. If not cleaned regularly bacteria and other microorganisms will thrive in these warm and moist environments.
Start by flushing the toilet or urinal. For toilets, take the toilet brush and pump it up and down to reduce the water level. Next, pour your toilet cleaner around the rim of the bowl or urinal and use the toilet brush to scrub all surfaces. Remember to leave the cleaner before scrubbing or flushing for four hours or overnight if you’re using a shop-bought domestic cleaner, and at least five minutes if you’re using a commercial toilet cleaner with a limescale remover.
Then wipe down the toilet or urinal, being careful not to miss any key parts or touchpoints, including the handle, the lid, the seat, and the bowl – inside and out. You should also remember to clean directly inside the cistern when cleaning the toilet, while adding a stick-on air freshener is a sensible final step for urinals.
For a deeper clean, Rentokil Specialist Hygiene can implement an automated toilet and urinal sanitiser system that provides an economical and efficient method of reducing the amount of antibacterial sanitising liquid applied. This also helps prevent the build up of uric salt and limescale deposits, helping to reduce the likelihood of potential blockages in the pipework.
If a blockage does occur however, we can also help to fix the problem. Aside from becoming a potential hygiene risk and source of bad odour, a blockage within the pipework and plumbing can be costly and time consuming to repair if left unattended. Our technicians use an electro-mechanical flexible steel coring rod that dislodges and removes uric scale build up from inside the primary pipework through to the soil stack.
Sinks
Cleaning the washroom sink properly is incredibly important, as this is where bacteria is washed away when customers wash their hands.
Start by wiping the sink down with a wet sponge or cloth to remove obvious dust and dirt. Rinse the sink before proceeding – don’t skip this step as otherwise the cleaning liquid will be wasted on the leftover debris.
Then, go ahead and spray your chosen cleaning product, be thorough in making sure that you cover the basin, drain and taps. After spraying, wipe and work the cleaner into all these areas with a cloth or sponge. For more persistent spots, you may find that you need to apply a bit of elbow grease with some extra pressure or a rougher sponge.
Rinse and wipe the whole sink down with a dry cloth, particularly any metal taps or drains that are prone to watermarks.
Floors
Although often overlooked, it is also essential to clean the washroom floor properly. After clearing the floor with an initial sweep or vacuum, you should get to work with a clean mop.
Pay special attention to behind the toilets and sinks as these areas can quickly build up dirt. Use a small brush or toothbrush for awkward, hard-to-reach spots and stubborn stains. Using toilet cleaner to loosen the limescale will also help lift it, and avoid lingering odours.
Rinse the floor with warm water rather than hot water as this causes limescale build-up. It’s important to dry the floor afterwards with a clean towel to avoid mould and mildew.
Vanity areas and mirrors should be wiped down daily and thoroughly cleaned at least once a week, while washroom bins should be regularly checked, emptied and wiped clean. You’d be surprised where bacteria (and therefore odours) can be trapped, so it is critical that you leave no spot untouched.
Closing Thoughts
Whilst Coronavirus restrictions have now been removed, we must remain vigilant when it comes to hygiene. Washroom facilities can create a lasting impression for a customer’s perception of your business, even if the rest of your premises are clean. We want to provide easy, accessible, ongoing support to industries that will need to prioritise hygiene levels, and keep employees and customers satisfied.
To avoid any doubt that you’re minimising the potential risks, call in the experts. Rentokil Specialist Hygiene’s washroom deep cleaning service will thoroughly clean and sanitise surfaces throughout your washroom facilities, including toilets, urinals and sanitary ware. This thoroughness extends to those hard-to-reach areas that conventional surface cleaners may miss, as well as the clearing of any potential blockages.
*Initial Washroom Hygiene (2017) ‘Washroom Malodour: Experience, Perceptions and Implications for Businesses’
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