Bathroom cleaning is essential in any commercial setting. Research shows that 75% of people avoid businesses with dirty restrooms, according to a survey by Harris Interactive. In high-traffic areas such as offices, restaurants, and retail spaces, bathrooms can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria and unpleasant odours if not properly cleaned.
Maintaining hygiene in these spaces not only safeguards the health of staff and visitors but also contributes to a positive business image. A neglected bathroom can damage your reputation, lead to complaints, and even affect productivity. To prevent this, regular cleaning routines and the use of appropriate cleaning supplies are critical.
This checklist will guide you through the daily, weekly, and monthly tasks necessary to keep your commercial bathroom spotless and sanitised, ensuring it remains a clean, safe, and welcoming space for everyone.
Daily Commercial Bathroom Cleaning Checklist
Cleaning commercial bathrooms daily is essential to keep germs at bay, maintain hygiene standards, and prevent unpleasant odours from developing. Here’s what your cleaning routine should include on a daily basis:
1. Toilet Bowls and Seats
Cleaning toilet bowls and seats is a non-negotiable task in any bathroom cleaning routine. Use a disinfectant cleaner to scrub the inside of the toilet bowl thoroughly, paying extra attention to water stains and under the rim. The toilet seat and the area around the base should be cleaned and disinfected with disinfectant wipes or a damp cloth to remove bacteria and grime.
These germs and bacteria can cause illnesses such as strep throat and salmonella, with the biggest washroom culprits being E. coli and Staphylococcus Aureus. One study uncovered that poor cleaning techniques from maintenance workers, along with poor hand-washing practices, contribute to the high levels of germs and bacteria found in public toilets.
Tip: Keep a toilet brush handy for quick spot cleaning throughout the day if needed.
2. Clean Sinks and Taps
Soap scum and water stains can accumulate quickly in and around sinks. Use a disinfectant solution and a microfiber cloth to wipe down the taps, sinks, and the area around them. Regular cleaning of these surfaces is essential to prevent limescale buildup and maintain a hygienic environment.
Tip: To keep surfaces streak-free, follow up with a dry microfiber cloth after wiping down with a damp one.
3. Soap Dispensers and Hand Dryers
Ensure soap dispensers are regularly topped up and wipe them down daily with a disinfectant cleaner. Hand dryers should be wiped clean, and air vents around them inspected for dust accumulation. This ensures the facilities remain hygienic and functional for users.
Tip: A well-stocked soap dispenser prevents the spread of germs, so ensure a backup supply of liquid soap is always on hand.
4. Toilet Paper and Paper Towels
Check the toilet paper dispensers and paper towel dispensers daily to ensure they are fully stocked. Not only is this important for hygiene, but it also avoids complaints from users. When replacing these, make sure to clean the dispensers with a disinfectant solution, focusing on touchpoints where bacteria can collect.
5. Disinfecting Surfaces
Disinfecting surfaces such as door handles, light switches, and other high-touch areas should be part of your daily cleaning procedures. Use disinfectant wipes to give these areas a thorough wipe, ensuring germs are eliminated.
6. Floors
Use a wet mop and disinfectant cleaner to mop floors daily. This prevents the buildup of dirt and grime, ensuring a clean environment for anyone who enters the bathroom. Wet floor signs should be placed while mopping to prevent slips.
Read More: 16 Best Commercial Cleaning Tips For Businesses
Weekly Commercial Bathroom Cleaning Tasks
Beyond the daily essentials, there are tasks that need to be handled weekly to maintain the overall cleanliness of the bathroom. These tasks often target areas that accumulate dirt and dust over time.
1. Glass Surfaces and Mirrors
Use a glass cleaner to remove streaks, water stains, and fingerprints from mirrors and glass surfaces. Clean mirrors create a professional look, and spotless glass gives the impression of a well-maintained facility.
2. Toilet Brushes and Other Cleaning Tools
Your cleaning tools, including the toilet brush, mop, and microfiber cloths, need attention too. Once a week, clean and disinfect these tools to ensure they are not spreading germs or bacteria back into the bathroom.
3. Light Fixtures and Air Vents
Dust and grime can gather on light fixtures and air vents, often going unnoticed during daily cleaning. Wipe these down with a damp cloth to maintain a clean and fresh environment. Dirty air vents can also impact air quality, so this task is important for both cleanliness and health.
Monthly Cleaning Checklist
Monthly deep cleaning helps tackle those areas that may not get as much attention in your regular cleaning routine. This is where professional cleaners or a deeper cleaning approach may be necessary to maintain long-term hygiene.
1. Disinfecting Grout and Tiles
Over time, tiles and grout can accumulate dirt and mildew, especially in areas prone to moisture. Use a grout cleaner or disinfectant solution to scrub tiles and grout lines, ensuring these areas are not harbouring germs.
Tip: A steam cleaner can be highly effective in removing stubborn dirt from grout lines.
2. Deeper Toilet Cleaning
In addition to your daily toilet cleaning routine, a monthly deep cleaning of the toilet bowls and seats ensures long-lasting hygiene. Use stronger cleaning supplies or hire professional cleaners to tackle any persistent stains or grime in hard-to-reach areas.
3. Behind Fixtures and Under Sinks
These often-overlooked spots can accumulate dust and grime over time. Move items such as soap dispensers and paper towel dispensers to clean behind them. Ensure the area under sinks is clean and free of debris as well.
4. Drains and Pipes
Regularly clean and deodorise drains to prevent unpleasant odours from developing. A monthly drain cleaner can keep pipes clear and reduce the risk of blockages.
Your Commercial Bathroom Cleaning Checklist (PDF)
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Commercial Bathroom Cleaning
Even with the best intentions, mistakes in bathroom cleaning can lead to inefficient results. Here are a few things to watch out for:
1. Using the Wrong Cleaning Supplies
Using inappropriate cleaning supplies can damage surfaces and even spread germs instead of eliminating them. Always use cleaners designed for the specific surfaces you’re working with, whether it’s a glass cleaner for mirrors or a disinfectant solution for high-touch surfaces.
2. Neglecting High-Touch Areas
High-touch areas like toilet paper dispensers, hand dryers, and door handles are hotspots for germs. Neglecting these areas can undo all the work you put into cleaning other parts of the bathroom. Make sure these surfaces are regularly wiped with disinfectant wipes.
3. Forgetting to Replace Cleaning Tools
Microfiber cloths, mops, and toilet brushes can become ineffective over time, particularly if they’re used regularly. Replace them as necessary to ensure that your cleaning routine remains effective.
Find Out More: 10 Best Cleaning Tips From Professionals
When to Hire Professional Cleaners
While a daily and weekly cleaning checklist will keep your commercial bathroom in good shape, there are times when hiring professional cleaners is the best option. If your bathroom needs a deep cleaning, or if you find that your cleaning routine is not achieving the desired results, professional commercial cleaners can offer the expertise and equipment to get the job done.
Hiring professionals ensures that your facilities are cleaned to the highest standard, reducing the risk of bacteria build-up and maintaining a pleasant, hygienic environment. They will have access to specialised cleaning tools and methods that go beyond what you might be able to achieve in-house, such as industrial-strength cleaners for stubborn stains or odours.
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Looking for Expert & Reliable Commercial Cleaning Services?
A well-maintained bathroom reflects positively on your business and helps create a welcoming environment. After all, a hygienic environment is key to ensuring the health and satisfaction of both staff and visitors.
Armour Property Services are a full-service cleaning and facilities management company, providing a range of commercial cleaning services for over 15 years. Covering London and the South East, our clients rely on our efficient and effective regular commercial cleaning for a variety of commercial spaces.
For commercial cleaning services that deliver, get in touch today.
Commercial Bathroom Cleaning FAQs
How often should a commercial bathroom be cleaned?
Commercial bathrooms should be cleaned daily, especially in high-traffic areas. Daily cleaning includes wiping down toilet seats, sinks, and high-touch areas like door handles and soap dispensers. Floors should also be mopped, and the bathroom should be restocked with toilet paper, soap, and paper towels. For optimal cleanliness, weekly deep cleaning should target areas like grout, tiles, and fixtures, while a more intensive deep clean should be done monthly, covering areas like drains, pipes, and air vents.
What cleaning supplies are essential for a commercial bathroom?
Essential cleaning supplies for a commercial bathroom include disinfectant cleaner, glass cleaner, toilet brush, mop (wet mop for deep cleaning), paper towels, soap dispensers, disinfectant wipes, microfiber cloths, and toilet paper. Additionally, wet floor signs are important for safety during cleaning. Ensuring you have professional-grade supplies, including disinfectant solutions and cleaning tools, helps maintain hygiene standards in the bathroom.
Should I hire professional cleaners for my commercial bathroom?
Hiring professional cleaners is highly recommended for businesses with large or high-traffic bathrooms. While daily cleaning can be managed in-house, professional cleaners bring expertise, specialised tools, and advanced cleaning solutions for deep cleaning tasks. They can tackle stubborn stains, persistent odours, and areas that are often missed, ensuring that the bathroom remains not only visibly clean but also sanitary at a deeper level.
