Guide to washroom success

7th of February 2019 Article by Joanne Gilliard
Guide to washroom success

In her latest blog for ECJ, Jangro chief executive officer Joanne Gilliard explains why washroom hygiene is so vital and looks at how best to keep those areas clean.

The primary reason to keep a washroom hygienically clean is to prevent the spread of infection. However, it is also important for another reason; in many respects, people perceive the health and hygiene of a washroom as an accurate reflection of the overall health and hygiene of a facility.

Unclean or unsanitary washroom facilities not only damage the image and perception of a business but may also lead to a loss of revenue from existing and potential new customers. Put simply, a clean and hygienic washroom is good for the bottom line.

Within the washroom environment, we do two things that can spread harmful bacteria; that is excrete waste and touch communal surfaces. So, as well as encouraging good hand hygiene behaviour, it is critical to implement an effective cleaning regime. Here at Jangro, we have identified an eight-step systematic approach to achieve best practice cleaning in these areas:

• Ensure all equipment required is placed within easy reach and is clean. Access to the area being cleaned should be prohibited whilst cleaning so don't forget to place warning signs at the entrance to the washroom.

• Before applying the cleaner, flush all toilets and then, using a toilet brush, force the water at the bottom of the bowl through the U-bend to allow the water level to drop. Doing this each time the toilet is cleaned will prevent the build- up of an unsightly water line that can harbour bacteria and unsightly lime scale.

• Do this whilst the surfactant cleaner is working on the toilet surfaces.

• Remember to pay particularly close attention to all communal surfaces that come into contact with the body such as toilet seats and covers and flush handles.

• Vertical surfaces in the washroom include walls, doors and mirrors. Work from the bottom up from side to side to the top (hand high) to prevent any run marks down on the surface.

• Use tongs to remove obstructions such as hairs, tissues etc. from plug waste trap.

• As well as checking the standard achieved, take a look at the physical state of the washroom. Report any defects immediately, especially any damage to fixtures and fittings that could cause a hygiene problem such as broken toilet seats or blocked toilets.

• The previous seven acts of cleaning are likely to have made more mess to the floor, hence cleaning the floor is the final task.

 

 

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