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In any company, with a few or many employees, it is vital to ensure bathrooms are disinfected regularly. There is a difference between simply cleaning a restroom and disinfecting it. Cleaning is only removing visible dirt. The necessity of disinfecting comes from the need to eliminate microorganisms that are on the surfaces. These microbes are what cause illness and disease.

Of course, there is also sanitizing. Sanitizing reduces the molds, bacteria and fungi by wiping them from the surfaces, but does not necessarily kill them. Disinfection, however, effectively kills microorganisms and protects the health and safety of your employees – and you.

When buying a disinfectant product, you must read the literature that comes with it to see what level of effectiveness it has against what types of microbes. OSHA determines the level of effectiveness as to whether the product is effective against tuberculosis. At the very least, the ingredients should contain 70% isopropyl alcohol, ammonium, quaternary, phenolic, sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid.

So now you are going to start to work on disinfecting your bathroom. Here is the sequence of actions you should follow:

1. Remove all loose objects, throw rugs, waste cans, towels, removable soap dishes, etc.

2. Get rid of all surface dirt by sweeping and dusting all surfaces. 

3. Pour your disinfectant in a bucket and ensure you mix per directions on the bottle. 

4. Dip a rag or sponge into the solution (wear rubber gloves for this task) and wring it out.

5. Test the solution on a spot out of view on a painted surface to ensure the paint won’t wash off.

6. Start at the high parts of the bathroom and work your way down, washing with the damp rag or sponge. Wash sinks, toilets, fixtures, everything.

7. Scrub the floor using the same disinfectant solution. Use a brush if needed. Change out the mixture in your bucket when it becomes too dirty.

8. Clean the floor further from the door and work your way out of the room. 

9. While the floor is drying, wipe the objects that you removed from the bathroom with the same disinfectant.

10. Wash mirrors and chrome fixtures with a glass cleaner.

That should do it. You now have a wonderfully clean restroom and you know you have done your part to assist in the health and well-being of your employees.
To learn what janitorial cleaning entails click here.