Getting a Handle on Germ Hotspots Public Judges Overall Cleanliness by Washroom Conditions
September, 2007

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By Paul Goldin

Although many people feel that public washrooms are germ ridden, few realize the true risks and hot spots. For instance, hot water taps are more of a danger zone for fecal bacteria than are toilet seats, and flushing the toilet causes bacteria to propel around the washroom.
 
Though it is difficult to link catching a disease to a visit to the bathroom, scientists have found infectious agents for diseases such as Hepatitis A, Meningitis, Bacterial Dysentery, the Norwalk Virus and various forms of diarrhea in public washrooms. Regular cleaning and upkeep of washrooms requires time and resources, but the extra effort is worth it.

A clean washroom can even contribute to the good reputation of an establishment. For example, studies have shown that in the food industry, both inspectors and customers use the cleanliness of a washroom as an indicator of the cleanliness of the establishment.

Mike Crosby, the head of marketing for Irving Oil, takes this seriously. In order to build loyalty to this chain of gas stations, he has made it his business to have the cleanest washrooms of any gas station. Many Irving Oil stations have taken this initiative one step further and decorated the restroom with fresh flowers, houseplants, magazines, antiques and knick-knacks.

Here are some tips to help stay on top of washroom cleanliness:

( Schedule regular maintenance. Don't let the mess get out of control
( Train employees to use the right products on each surface. A colour-coded cleaning system and charts with pictograms are helpful
( Pay special attention to areas of the washroom that are prone to carry germs such as toilet and urinal handles, sanitary napkin receptacles, knobs on doors and faucets.
( Consider switching to automatic taps and flushers in order to minimize user contact.
( Hand sanitizer stations outside of washrooms in public areas can also help reduce germs and bacteria.

 
An effective cleaning system does not have to be a costly one. Look for products that have dilution control to maximize their effectiveness, make cleaning easier on employees and prevent waste. Consider sustainable products that can work just as well as conventional products and are environmentally responsible - preventing the spread of germs without harming workers, customers or the environment.
 
All users share the responsibility to keep public washrooms clean. When you use a public washroom, treat it like your own.

 Pick up after yourself.
( Wash your hands with soap and scrub thoroughly for at least 30 seconds.
( Try not to touch surfaces and knobs with your hands. Use paper towels instead.
( Use hand sanitizer after leaving the washroom.

Paul Goldin is Director of Marketing and Customer Satisfaction with Avmor, a manufacturer of professional cleaning products. For more information, see the web site at www.avmor.com.