There's nothing worse than an unclean, foul-smelling public bathroom. Whether you offer public restrooms in your restaurant or toilets for your office staff, it’s important to always pay attention to the cleanliness of your bathroom facilities. Not only will this help to encourage returning customers, but also reduce the risk of spreading germs and diseases. In this guide, we’ll explore the best practices for maintaining hygiene standards in public bathrooms and share our top product recommendations, saving you the hassle of searching for the right washroom supplies.
Why Hygiene in Public Bathrooms Matters
Hygiene in any public area is important, but especially in bathrooms, where germs are more likely to spread quickly as people touch shared spaces. Research from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention shows that using a bathroom can leave a massive 200 million bacteria per square inch on your hands! The three most common bacteria lurking in public restrooms include E.Coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus Aureus. These nasties can bring on illnesses such as diarrhoea, norovirus, and other respiratory infections. You are also at risk of colds and even eye infections from cross-contamination in the bathrooms. It’s interesting to see how something so tiny can cause great destruction to the human body.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also led to the implementation of more rigorous cleaning protocols in public bathrooms. Over the past years, we've learned that maintaining proper hygiene is essential in safeguarding individuals from infection. This is why it’s important to ensure you stay on top of a thorough cleaning rota and promote good hygiene for your customers. We’ve all been there where we’ve walked into a public bathroom and then walked right back out. So don’t let that be the case for your customers.
How to keep a public bathroom clean
The key to keeping a well-maintained public bathroom is to ensure a consistent cleaning regime is in place. Whether you outsource the cleaning tasks or keep them in-house, a good cleaning system is important whilst keeping the Health and Safety Executive best practices in mind. Here are some of the top tips and product recommendations for a clean public bathroom.
- Establish a regular cleaning schedule. This includes tasks such as mopping the floor, sweeping, sanitising toilets and sink areas and wiping down touchpoints, such as door handles, doors, light switches, locks etc
- Install a good ventilation system: This will help to keep the bathroom area well-ventilated and keep bad odours at bay.
- Regularly replenish washroom supplies: Ensure there is always a good supply of toilet paper, hand wash, and paper towels so that users have what they need to stay hygienic.
- Use clear signage and communications: Use safety signs to avoid accidental falls and slips, and also use signs to encourage hand washing and how to dispose of waste.
- Avoid waste build-up: Ensure that all bins and sanitary bins are emptied regularly to prevent overflow of rubbish.
Recommended Cleaning Products
 |
Soap and sanitiser dispensers: Our wall-mounted hand soap and sanitiser dispensers are ideal to use in washroom environments as they reduce direct handling to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses. You can also opt for a touchless dispenser that is activated by a sensor, to further minimise physical contact. Available for both foam and liquid solutions. |
 |
Toilet roll dispensers: Save on cost and enhance sanitation with our toilet roll dispensers. With these dispensers, you are reducing the risk of cross-contamination by users only touching the paper they are using. Whether you run an office or restaurant, we offer a range of designs, dispenser colours and budgets to fit your requirements. |
 |
Toilet cleaners and descalers: Our quality washroom supplies include toilet cleaners and descalers that are specifically designed to tackle the unique challenges posed by high-traffic restroom facilities. Our Jeyes H2 Toilet Cleaner Concentrate is a super concentrated formula that kills harmful bacteria and freshens and neutralises bad odours. |
 |
Odour control products: We offer a comprehensive selection of odour-control products specially designed for public bathrooms. Our selection consists of air fresheners, deodorisers, and odour-neutralising products that effectively tackle unwanted odours, leaving bathrooms smelling fresh and clean. Evans Odour Neutraliser is one of our highly effective, quick-acting, ready-to-use formulas that eliminate odours from a variety of surfaces. |
 |
Safety signs: The use of safety signs in a public bathroom is important as they help create a safe and secure environment for anyone using the bathroom. It also raises awareness of potential hazards and offers guidance on how to avoid high-risk areas. Our premium Spill Management kit comes complete with a Rapid Response Safety Cone and a variety of brushes, pans and mop heads to help keep floors clean and dry at all times. |
Training and educating staff on the importance of bathroom hygiene
It’s important to ensure your staff are properly trained and taught how to clean public bathrooms effectively. This would include disinfecting surfaces, removing stains, and also addressing specific bathroom issues such as clogged drains and odour problems. Staff should be trained on the proper use of chemicals and cleaning products to ensure they know which products are suitable for different surfaces and how to respond in case of contact with any chemicals.
Overall, maintaining top hygiene standards in public bathrooms is not only a matter of cleanliness but also of public health and comfort. By implementing regular cleaning routines, using quality toilet cleaners, washroom supplies, and also providing adequate handwashing facilities, public spaces can ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all users.
Encouraging responsible behaviour through clear signage and investing in touchless technology can further enhance the hygiene of these shared bathrooms. Ultimately, maintaining these standards reflects a commitment to health, safety, and the well-being of the community we live in.
