Maintaining washrooms is more than a checklist Daniel Took, Head of Professional Product Marketing at Kärcher UK discusses the importance of looking beyond a checklist when it comes to cleaning commercial bathrooms to eliminate harmful bacteria that can build up over time. Covid-19 has shone the light on germ prone areas, placing a greater emphasis on the cleanliness of commercial bathrooms and washroom facilities and thus demand on facilities managers to tackle dirt, grime, and bacteria build-up. As high frequent areas, commercial bathrooms can be used by hundreds if not thousands of people daily, potentially spreading germs and infection. High touch-point areas Changing rooms, sanitary areas and public toilets are frequented by many people making them prone to the spread of germs and infection. Moisture and heat in these environments along with organic substances such as flakes of skin and hair aid the growth of microorganisms, creating a breeding ground for unwanted bacteria. Regular cleaning of high touch point areas in line with facility regulations is a must.
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Toilet lids and seats should be treated with an all-purpose alcohol based cleaner, as acids can dissolve dye pigments and leave stains. Furniture such as benches and coat racks which come into regular contact with skin should be scrubbed using a light alkaline cleaning agent or everyday cleaner, then rinsed and dried with a cleaning cloth. Doors, door frames and separating walls should also be cleaned with all-purpose or alcohol-based cleaner using scratchfree pad sponges. Left unmaintained, microorganisms will be allowed to thrive and multiply on these surfaces. It is advised that different colour cloths are used for different areas when cleaning multiple surfaces and spaces to avoid cross-contamination. For instance, a red cloth can be used for the bathroom, blue for general surfaces, green for food, etc. Fittings When it comes to cleaning taps, shower heads and mixing valves, it is important to use a limescale-dissolving cleaning agent, typically citric acid and/or amidosulphuric acid, that is effective and will not damage the fittings. To help prevent long-term damage, the cleaning agent should be applied to a non-abrasive cleaning cloth or pad sponge
Commercial Bathrooms
(white pad) rather than being sprayed directly onto fittings. This will help to avoid scratches and applies also to cleaning mirrored surfaces. After application, the acidic cleaning agent should also be rinsed thoroughly to prevent permanent damage to the fitting or unwanted physical damage to any of the bathroom’s users. Tiles Washrooms, in particular, are typically tiled from floor to ceiling and need to be cleaned with an acidic deep cleaner and rinsed with clean water. Wall tiles can be scrubbed with a green manual pad, to assist with the removal of dirt and oils. For a professional finish, the tiles should be wiped with a rubber squeegee after rinsing. The removal of black mould build-up in crevices and grouting can only be achieved with the use of hydrogen peroxide. To maintain a safe environment for users, after treatment it must be rinsed with plenty of clear water to remove any excess cleaning agent. For large surfaces, a high-pressure cleaner on cold operation with a foam device attachment is an economical solution for a quicker cleaning time.
