Cleaning restrooms is often not the most desired task in facility maintenance. We want to make sure we clean our restrooms timely and effectively; by doing so the overall maintenance time spent on restrooms is decreased and restrooms are much more appealing to their users. To help clean your restroom more effectively, there are several restroom maintenance tools that should be in every custodian’s arsenal.

1. Microfiber Cloths – Microfiber has a magnetic quality to soils and other particulates, which gives it an advantage over many other cloths used in cleaning.

2. Damp & Dry Cloths – It is important to have one cloth used for wetting surfaces and one cloth for drying surfaces. It is a good practice to dry every surface that you wet; this ensures that the dirt is actually picked up and removed from the surface rather than just moved around.

3. A Scrubbing Sponge or Microfiber Cloth – Soils can easily become hardened or embedded into surfaces over any period of time, which is where a scrubbing sponge/cloth and its added abrasion can be very handy. Just be sure not to use a sponge that is too abrasive as this can scratch surfaces (green sponges are generally too abrasive).

4. A Plastic or Metal Spatula – Using a spatula can help to reach hard-to-reach areas or corners. Simply wrap a cloth around the spatula to prevent scratching, and use the spatula to clean any tough-to-reach areas.

5. A Toothbrush – It is common practice to use an old toothbrush to help provide scrubbing power in tight spaces. However, investing in a new toothbrush for this same purpose can be more effective. A newer toothbrush will have stiffer bristles, which will provide better cleaning power in tight areas such as around faucet handles.

6. A Razor Blade – A razor can be very useful in scraping and removing materials from hard surfaces. Just be sure that the surface is wet and the razor is clean; also, always use a razor at acute angle rather than vertically on the surface.

7. Plastic Bags – This may seem like a no-brainer, but you should always have plastic bags on hand for any debris and trash.

8. CLEANING CHEMICALS! – This may be the most important restroom maintenance tool you use. It is important to use the appropriate chemicals in restroom maintenance, so cleaning is done effectively and odors are removed. Some chemicals to use:

A General-Purpose Cleaner/Disinfectant – This cleaner will be used on the floors, countertops, and most surfaces. It is always a good idea to use a disinfectant in restrooms. Millennium Q is a great restroom disinfectant & cleaner.

A Shower/Tub/Tile Cleaner – This should be used on mineral deposits, scale buildup, and soap scum. For this reason this type of cleaner is acidic. Foamy MAC is a Green-Seal certified restroom cleaner for this application.

A Bowl Cleaner – Sometimes multiple bowl cleaners may be needed. A non-acid bowl cleaner is sufficient for daily cleaning of lightly soiled toilets. If there is heavier buildup, acid bowl cleaners provide the extra power needed to make dirty toilets look like new. However, overuse of acid bowl cleaners will damage fixtures. Fresh 100 is an EPA-registered disinfectant non-acid bowl cleaner for daily cleaning tasks.

A Glass/Surface Cleaner – This product should be used for cleaning mirrors and any other glass surfaces present. Multi-Shine is an effective glass cleaner that does not leave streaks.

While restroom maintenance may seem like a daunting task at the end of the day, having the right restroom cleaning tools and chemicals on hand can make your job a whole lot easier.

For more information on restroom care, restroom maintenance tools, and a full line of restroom cleaning products, visit Multi-Clean’s Restroom Care webpage.