is a registered trademark of CARROLL COMPANY Garland, TX 75041 800.527.5722 • • • www.cleanworks.solutions

FOOD SAFETY JOURNAL

is a registered trademark of CARROLL COMPANY Garland, TX 75041 800.527.5722 • • • www.cleanworks.solutions

April 2017

PAGE 1

RESTROOM CLEANING PROGRAMWith more than 140,000 convenience stores in the United States, customers have an abundance of stores to choose from — and many options to spend their hard-earned money. While customer service, product variety and fuel prices influence a potential customer’s decision and ultimately their satisfaction, other attributes of the store also significantly impact their experience.

A recent survey revealed that 95 percent of people have a negative perception of a retail store if they encounter a dirty restroom. In an industry that

caters to on-the-go customers, restroom cleaning and maintenance programs can be a great way to differentiate your store from the competition and establish a routine flow of repeat business.

Those who use public restrooms typically assess four key factors in a restroom, including:

• Supplies — Restrooms must have consumables available for users at all times. This includes toilet paper, hand towels and soap dispensers. The availability of supplies is particularly important for on-the-go customers, which constitutes the majority of convenience store and gas station patrons.

• Cleanliness — Toilets, urinals, floors and sinks are clean and free of debris. Restrooms have a fully operational odor-control system in place.

• Dryness — All areas of the restroom are dry. This includes dry sink areas and puddle-free floors.

• Functioning — Restrooms are properly lit and have quality air circulation. Plumbing, dispensers, locks, and hand dryers are fully operational.

There are three primary components of an effective restroom cleaning strategy:

1. Spot Cleaning — Spot cleaning targets key focus areas frequently throughout the day. In less than five minutes, employees should sweep the restroom, wipe down surfaces and restock products. During peak traffic periods, schedule spot cleanings for every 15 minutes. When employees perform spot cleaning, equip them with toilet paper, sanitizer, hand towels and soap to restock dispensers.

FOOD SAFETY JOURNAL

is a registered trademark of CARROLL COMPANY Garland, TX 75041 800.527.5722 • • • www.cleanworks.solutions

2. Daily Cleaning — Completed once a day during low-traffic periods, daily cleaning involves more comprehensive cleaning and sanitizing than a spot clean. Post signage around the entrance of the restroom to alert customers that the restroom is being cleaned.

A daily cleaning checklist should include the following actions:

• Check fixtures and devices to make sure they work properly.

• Restock supplies like toilet paper and hand towels.

• Spray surfaces in the restroom with disinfectant.

• Wipe surfaces clean with a rag or cleaning towel.

• Target “hot spots” or areas for bacteria buildup, such as door, toilet, urinal and faucet handles, and light switches.

• Sweep floors to collect trash and debris.

• Remove trash.

• Mop floors to eliminate puddles and clean surfaces.

3. Deep Cleaning — Deep cleaning is a much more thorough cleaning that breaks down soil and removes buildup that mops and brushes can’t reach. Deep cleanings can be scheduled on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis, depending on restroom use. Because deep cleaning requires extensive detail work and attention, it should be performed at low-traffic times to avoid interruption of service.

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April 2017

is a registered trademark of CARROLL COMPANY Garland, TX 75041 800.527.5722 • • • www.cleanworks.solutions

Deep cleaning tasks include:

• Scrubbing walls, floors, toilets, urinals, sinks, mirrors and fixtures using chemicals, agitation and extraction.

• Cleaning behind toilets and other tough-to-reach areas.

• Focusing on removing soil from fixtures, darkened grout lines on floors, gum and graffiti.

• Dusting all vents, corners, ceilings, fan fixtures, baseboards, windows and door frames.

• Repairing any broken fixtures.

I. TRAININGTrain, train, and train again. Employees must receive training on how to clean restrooms properly. Any cleaning can be reduced to a process of cleaning from ceiling to floor and from the farthest point in the room toward the exit.

Employees should not waste effort. If they clean counters first and then clean the mirrors above the counter, dust or debris could fall off the cleaning cloth or mirror onto the counter, dirtying the counter that had just been cleaned.

Employees should receive training on the right chemicals to use, as well as how to mix them properly and safely. Managers should train employees on the location of material safety data sheets (MSDS), and all primary and secondary chemical containers should be labeled for content.

When training employees, always verify their understanding of the expectations by observing them properly cleaning the restroom. Provide coaching as necessary until the employee does it correctly and safely.

II. SAFETYAlways read the instructions on all chemicals and use them accordingly. DO NOT mix chemicals together as there may be dangerous counteractions. For example, mixing bleach and some cleaners may create dangerous gasses.

Follow all safety measures as prescribed on all cleaning labels.

Ensure all spray bottles are clearly labeled as to their contents.

Only use company approved cleaners to clean restrooms.

Locate the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on the intranet in the event action is required if chemicals come in contact with skin, eyes, or other parts of the body.

Always wear appropriate clothing for the task at hand. This includes eye wear, gloves, clothing, and shoes.

April 2017

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is a registered trademark of CARROLL COMPANY Garland, TX 75041 800.527.5722 • • • www.cleanworks.solutions

III. PROCEDURESBefore heading to the restroom, prepare yourself with the necessary materials to complete the job.

Materials needed:a. Checklist

b. Clean rags

c. Paper Towels

d. Mop buckets and wringers

e. Mop

f. Duster

g. Broom and dustpan

h. Waste receptacle liners

i. “Wet Floor” signs

j. Cleaning spray bottles

k. Toilet bowl brush

l. Gloves and appropriate shoes

m. Products/supplies

1. Glass cleaner

2. Toilet bowl cleaner (HINT: Acid bowl cleaners will help with mineral deposits and rust. Routine cleaning can include non-acid cleaners.)

3. Disinfectant

4. Odor counteractants

5. Graffiti remover

6. Hand soap

7. Hand sanitizer

8. Paper towels

9. Tissue paper

10. Toilet Seat liners

11. Urinal block

A. Obtain Supplies

1. Gather the necessary supplies.

2. Proceed to the cleaning destination.

B. Properly prepare the area to be cleaned

1. Knock on the door and announce your intention to enter. If restroom is occupied, wait until it is empty. When empty, enter.

2. If able, prop door open to signal restroom is being cleaned.

3. Wear appropriate clothing.

C. Toilet bowls and urinals

1. Remove all urinal screens and blocks.

2. Flush the toilet/urinal.

3. Apply cleaner to toilet/urinal interiors only.

4. Scrub toilet/urinal with toilet brush.

5. Flush the toilet/urinal.

6. Clean toilet seat top and bottom.

7. Clean rims.

8. Apply disinfectant and allow to stand at least 10 minutes.

9. Clean the toilet/urinal outside and bottom surfaces.

D. Clean walls and partitions

1. Wipe down walls/partitions with cleaner and rag.

2. Following procedures on the graffiti cleaner, clean walls/partitions accordingly.

3. Report graffiti that you are unable to remove per store procedures.

E. Dust all areas – high to low

1. Clean all dust from ceiling fans and vents, using duster.

2. Dust tops of doors and partitions.

3. Sweep floor, remove all loose trash, and empty into waste receptacles.

April 2017

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is a registered trademark of CARROLL COMPANY Garland, TX 75041 800.527.5722 • • • www.cleanworks.solutions

F. Wet cleaning

1. Clean all light fixtures, mirrors, and glass surfaces with glass cleaner.

2. Wipe partitions, top and bottom of doors, doorknobs, receptacles, and dispensers with disinfectant.

3. Wipe down hand blowers.

4. Spot clean all other above ground surfaces with disinfectant.

G. Clean wash basins

1. Clean interior of sink.

2. Spot clean exterior surfaces, faucets, pipes and under basins. Wipe all metal surfaces dry.

3. Apply disinfectant and allow to stand at least 10 minutes.

4. Check operation of faucets and drains.

H. Clean and empty all waste receptacles

1. Remove can liners from receptacles, wash the interior and exteriors, apply and wipe with disinfectant, and replace can liner.

2. Never use your hand to press trash overflow down and into the waste receptacle.

I. Replenish all supplies

1. Refill hand soaps, sanitizer, toilet tissue, toilet seat liners, towels, and deodorizers.

2. Check operation of all dispensers and report malfunctions per store procedures.

3. Check urinal screens, deodorant blocks, and mist deodorants.

J. Damp mop

1. Clear area of cleaning supplies and equipment.

2. Place the wet floor sign at the entrance of the restroom.

3. Start in the area farthest from the door and work towards the door using fresh, clean mop water.

4. Place mop in mop bucket and wring out, leaving mop damp. When mopping floor area around toilets and urinals, mop thoroughly and wring out often. Change mop water when necessary.

K. Odor counteraction

1. Spray odor counteractants liberally around toilets and urinals and let air dry.

2. Pour excess counteractants into each floor drain before leaving the area.

3. HINT: Saturating a paper towel with deodorant and placing into waste receptacle will aid in counteracting odors long after you have left the restroom.

L. Maintenance issues

1. Replace or report any lighting issues.

2. Report any dispenser equipment malfunctions or damage.

3. Report any graffiti unable to be removed.

4. Report water that continues to run (i.e. toilet, urinal, sink drips, leaks).

5. Replace any damaged waste receptacles.

6. Report damaged ceiling tiles and ceiling fans/vents.

April 2017

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