How Often Should Your Business' Restrooms Be Cleaned?
According to a survey by Bradley Corporation, clean and well-maintained public restrooms can have a positive impact on businesses. The survey found that almost 60% of Americans will spend more money at an establishment if they know it has clean restrooms. This number is even higher, around 65%, for those aged 25-44.
Conversely, unclean public restrooms can damage a business's reputation and bottom line. Over half of survey respondents said dirty bathrooms reflect poorly on the overall management of an establishment. This negative impression is especially common among people over 55, with over 60% in that age group reporting a lowered opinion of a business with unkempt restrooms.
Perhaps most alarmingly, nearly 1 in 5 Americans admitted they are less likely to clean up after themselves when using a dirty public restroom. This suggests that poorly maintained facilities can trigger a self-perpetuating cycle of deteriorating conditions. The ideal cleaning frequency depends on several factors.
According to ICE Chemical Specialist Glenn Rasin, "although a restroom only makes up about 5% of the square footage of any given building, it is 20% of the soil load and 80% of the complaints." This indicates that dirty bathrooms generate the vast majority of negative feedback for businesses.
Recommended Cleaning Frequencies
The ideal cleaning frequency depends on the amount of traffic and usage that your restrooms experience.
| Restroom Traffic | Users Per Day | Cleaning Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| High Traffic | 500+ | 2 or more times daily (after morning and lunch rushes) |
| Medium Traffic | 100-500 | Once daily (evenings or before opening) |
| Low Traffic | Under 100 | Every other day |
For high traffic restrooms, supplies should be checked and restocked after each cleaning. Disinfecting high-touch surfaces like doors, handles, faucets, and toilets should happen more frequently than full cleanings.
Finding the right balance between thorough cleaning and available staff hours is important. Use signs to close restrooms during cleaning times. Schedule cleanings during slow periods when possible to minimize disruption.
Restroom Cleaning Frequency by Industry
- Public restrooms in heavily trafficked areas like airports, train stations, and busy urban areas are likely cleaned multiple times per day. Cleaners may check and restock these restrooms every 1-2 hours during peak times.
- Restrooms in restaurants may be cleaned once per shift or multiple times throughout the day, especially during busy meal times.
- Public parks or recreational facilities may have restroom cleaning schedules that range from once per day to a few times per week.
- Restrooms along highways and rest stops are cleaned less frequently, perhaps once a day or a few times per week.
- Public school restrooms may be cleaned once or twice per day and more thoroughly each evening.
- Office building restrooms are often cleaned daily or a few times per week.
- Portable toilet companies likely service their units once per week or more often depending on event schedules.
Best Practices for Restroom Cleaning
Following best practices ensures your restroom cleaning is efficient, effective, and provides a good experience for patrons. It's also required by OSHA.
- Post visible cleaning schedules letting patrons know what to expect. This improves transparency.
- Place closed for cleaning signs during cleaning times to prevent interruptions.
- Always work top to bottom when cleaning to avoid dripping onto already cleaned surfaces.
- Disinfect high-touch surfaces like faucets, flush handles, door knobs, toilet seats, and changing tables frequently.
- Clean toilets, urinals, and sinks thoroughly using approved germicidal cleaners.
- Restock toilet paper, paper towels, soap at each cleaning to avoid running out.
- Use well-placed automated air fresheners to keep restroom smelling clean between full cleanings.
- Provide feedback cards for patrons to share comments about restroom quality.
Having adequate supplies, posting visible cleaning schedules, preventing interruptions, working efficiently, and regularly disinfecting high-touch areas are all important for proper restroom cleaning and maintenance.
Monitoring patron feedback allows you to identify problem areas or times of day that may need increased cleaning attention.
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