Bathrooms are among the most important areas to clean thoroughly both for hygienic reasons and because bathroom cleanliness is a major source of the overall impression of the cleanliness of a building. Whether the bathroom is going to be used by customers, employees, or visitors, this is a site where cleanliness will be expected, and a lack of cleanliness will definitely show. In order to keep a pristine bathroom, you’ll need to break the task down into separate sections. Doing these steps in the proper order will ensure that you do not cross-contaminate areas that are likely to be particularly germ-infested with areas you have already cleaned. Wearing latex gloves during cleaning is the best practice to ensure that you keep your hands germ-free. If the gloves become wet or dirty, change them.
Step 1: Pour Cleaning in Toilets/Bathtubs/Showers
The spaces that need the most attention in a bathroom are the ones that are used the most, so start by pouring cleaning solution in the toilets, bathtubs, and showers. For best results, use a thick, gel-like cleaner that is specifically designed for this purpose and that has anti-bacterial properties. Once you have poured the solution into the spaces (paying careful attention to edges), let it sit while you move on to other portions of the bathroom.
Step 2: Dry Wipe Surfaces
Bathrooms can collect dust in corners, on light fixtures, and on top of surfaces such as the back of a toilet seat or across the top of mirrors. Using a microfiber cloth or duster with an extendable handle (if the bathroom has high ceilings), wipe down all of these surfaces to remove dust.
Step 3: Spray Wipe Surfaces
Start with the basic surfaces that are not directly used by bathroom guests. It’s important to thoroughly wipe down every surface of a bathroom because the water spray from flushing toilets and the splashes from sinks can spread germs even when the surfaces were not directly touched. Spray an all-purpose cleaning solution from a spray bottle with anti-bacterial properties directly onto tiled walls or spray a microfiber cloth until it is damp to wipe down other surfaces. Once you have used the cloth on all of the indirect surfaces, move on to surfaces that guests were likely to have touched. Wipe down the top of the sink, the sink handles, the top of the toilet tank, the toilet flush lever, the light switch, and the door handle. With a new cloth, wipe down the inside of the sink, paying careful attention to remove any build-up from around the drain.
Step 4: Clean Mirrors
Using a glass surface cleaner and a fresh microfiber cloth to clean the mirror. Wipe in small circular motions and be sure to avoid any streaks.
Step 5: Clean the Tub/Shower
Using a sponge or scrub brush, clean the tub or shower area where the cleaning solution has been sitting. Pay careful attention to corners where build-up can occur. Wipe off any excess cleaning solution with a microfiber cloth.
Step 6: Clean the Toilet
Using a toilet brush, scrub the toilet where the cleaning solution has been sitting. Be sure to get under the lip of the inside of the toilet. Once you have thoroughly wiped the interior, flush the toilet and inspect it to make sure that it is completely clean. Move on to the lid and seat of the toilet. Using an anti-bacterial spray and a clean microfiber cloth, wipe down these surfaces starting with the exterior of the lid, moving to the interior of the lid. Then do the top side of the seat followed by the underside of the seat. Pay careful attention to the area where the seat joins to the toilet, which is prone to build-up.
Step 7: Sweep the Floors
Now that you have thoroughly cleaned all surfaces, you can sweep the floor to remove any debris including the dust from when you dusted earlier.
Step 8: Discard Trash and Replace Liners
Once you discard the dirt from sweeping, remove all trash liners. If there are sanitary waste containers, be sure to remove these as well. Be sure to check under the liners for any spilled trash. If you remove trash from cans by hand, discard and change your gloves. Replace all liners.
Step 9: Mop
Using a sanitizing mopping solution, mop the floor. Make sure that you have moved all of your materials outside of the room before you begin mopping. Place all used cleaning cloths and the toilet brush in a bucket where they will not drip on the floor. Start at the wall farthest away from the door and work backward as you move closer to the door. Once you are nearing the end of your cleaning, you can step outside the door and clean the surface where you were standing.
Step 10: Finish Up
Turn off the light and shut the door to finish your task.