Shared office spaces are notorious for being the dirtiest areas in an office environment and maintaining a clean, pleasant washroom is essential to keeping happy workers. Nobody wants to use an unsanitary washroom. So, in this guide, we will be discussing how to properly clean a washroom.
Firstly, you need to make sure you have everything on hand to carry out your cleaning needs. Rubber gloves not only protect you from bacteria but also from harmful chemicals coming in contact with your skin.
Don’t expect this to be a mess-free chore, water splashing is almost inevitable so make sure you have the right clothes on or wear an apron to protect your clothes.
By following our washroom cleaning guide, you will be able to efficiently ensure a clean washroom. At the end of this post, you will have a full how to clean your washroom checklist.
Toilets
Cleaning a toilet can be an unappealing task. However, tackling this the right way can be straightforward, prevent buildup of dirt over long periods, and kill harmful bacteria and viruses.
Flush the toilet and then take the toilet brush and reduce the water level in the toilet by pumping the brush up and down to push the water around the bend. This will expose the china under the waterline.
Then pour your chosen toilet cleaner around the rim of the bowl and use the toilet brush to scrub the inside, not forgetting under the rim itself. If you are using a commercial toilet cleaner with a limescale remover in it then leave the chemical to work for 5 minutes. If you are using a normal domestic cleaner bought from a supermarket then leave for 4 hours or overnight. Scrub lightly and then flush.
Always clean from directly inside to clean properly. This means cleaning the toilet cistern first, including the handle which is a key touchpoint, and then the lid, next the seat and finally the bowl itself making sure to clean the outside of the bowl and right down to the floor including any pipes behind.
It’s amazing where bacteria (and therefore odours) can be trapped. Clean the toilet seat by using an antibacterial spray, don’t forget to lift the lid and do both sides. Use a moist cloth to remove any chemical cleaners once done as you don’t want these coming in contact with people’s skin. And lastly, wipe the seat with a dry cloth to leave it dry and smear-free.
If your toilet is particularly stained, read our guide on how to clean a stained toilet.
Sinks
It is vitally important to know how to clean a washroom sink properly as this is where you wash away any bacteria from your washroom visit.
Take a wet sponge or cloth and wipe the sink down to remove and dust and obvious grime and don’t forget the drain. Then rinse the sink, if you don’t do so it will be hard for your washroom cleaning liquid to work as it will be tackling any leftover debris.
Spray the sink with your chosen cleaner, including the drain and taps and thoroughly wipe and work this into all areas.
For stubborn areas, you may need to apply a bit more pressure or use a rougher sponge. If this doesn’t work, you can use bicarbonate of soda, make sure the sink is dry and sprinkle this over the surface and rub in and rinse.
Rinse the sink down, any metal areas such as drains and taps are prone to watermarks so wipe these down with a dry cloth or sponge to ensure they are completely dry.
If there is a build-up of limescale around your taps or waste you can use a bit of your toilet cleaner if it has limescale remover in it. This is commonly a problem in hard water areas such as Bristol and London. Scrub it lightly with an old toothbrush then rinse and dry. Make sure your toilet cleaner is stainless steel and chrome safe.
Showers
Shared office showers can be a place of nightmares but also essential to some of your staff, especially if they commute by bike or enjoy exercise during lunch breaks.
You can make sure this experience is as pleasant as possible by keeping communal showers clean and smelling fresh. Always make sure the shower is empty of all items, such as shampoo bottles, before commencing your clean.
To help the shower dry quickly, turn on the washroom fan, keep the door open and make use of any windows.
Mildew should be the first thing you tackle as this is the toughest dirt. Mix two parts water to one part bleach and make sure you are wearing your rubber gloves (or use a specific mildew remover). Apply the mixture to the areas needed with a sponge and allow to work for at least ten minutes.
Scrub the areas with a soft brush or even an old toothbrush and rinse well with warm water. Then take your chosen washroom cleaner and spray on the walls and floor and leave for 5-10 minutes so it can properly break up soap scum.
Scrub with a sponge in circular motions and rinse, just like your washroom sink, metal areas, especially the showerhead, will need to be wiped dry to avoid watermarks.
If you have a glass shower door, use a squeegee to remove all water droplets to leave it shining. If you have a shower curtain, check the label before removing it and washing it in a washing machine at the correct temperature.
If your showerhead has limescale build-up you can remove it and soak it in limescale remover for 10 minutes, then scrub it lightly with a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly and replace. Applying limescale remover to a sponge and lightly scrubbing glass doors will remove watermarks.
Floors
Knowing how to clean a washroom floor properly is essential as water splashes can cause slips and trips and simply look unsightly. When looking at how to deep clean a washroom, many neglect the importance of the floor.
Do an initial sweep or vacuum of the floor and remove any rubbish. You will then need to mix your floor cleaner per the instructions in a bucket and get to work with a clean mop.
Don’t forget to pay special attention to behind the toilets and sinks as these areas can quickly build up dirt. For hard to reach places you can use a small floor brush, these also work well for stubborn stains.
Sometimes areas under urinals can have a build-up of limescale under which odours can linger so pour on some toilet cleaner to loosen the limescale which will release the bacteria underneath and allow you to clean it.
Rinse the floor with warm water (not hot water as this causes limescale build-up) and use a squeegee to encourage water down the drain or to an area that is easier for you to clean up. To avoid mould and mildew use a clean towel to wipe the floor down to dry.
Make sure the floor is completely dry before allowing staff back in or use a caution sign to alert people of the wet floor.
You should now have a better understanding of how to clean a washroom step by step. There are other areas that may need to be considered such as vanity areas which should be wiped down daily and thoroughly cleaned at least once a week, along with mirrors.
Ensuring washroom bins are regularly emptied and wiped clean prevents overflow and unsightly areas. Make sure consumable goods are regularly stocked, such as toilet paper, soap and hand towels as a shortage of these can make washroom breaks an unpleasant experience.