Bathrooms are one of the most common settings where germs are transmitted from one person to the next or from one setting to next. It is also one of the best ways to find out if a space is properly cleaned. Whether it is a routine cleaning or cleaning after an accident, there are basic and essential cleaning tools needed to make bathroom cleaning successful and easy. It is to this end that we decided to identify five essential bathroom cleaning supplies that we believe makes bathroom cleaning easier and less repulsive and as such must be found in every janitorial closet. These supplies are good to have even if cleaning is done in house or contracted to a third party. This article aims to identify and briefly discuss 5 essential bathroom cleaning supplies and share online platforms where you can find these supplies. DCSS is not paid to market any of these products.
1. Gloves and Masks
It is a general rule of thumb to always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during cleaning. PPE serves as the gate keepers between the skin and toxic chemicals or human bodily fluids that may be contaminated with bacteria and viruses. Gloves and mask can prevent the skin from encountering an allergen or inhaling contaminated air, which can injure the lungs or cause difficulty breathing. It is highly likely to encounter contaminated bodily fluids when cleaning a bathroom. Without proper PPE, the cleaner may be exposing themselves to germs or exposing the environment to germs if they are sick.
2. Acid and Non-Acid Toilet Bowl Cleaners
Regardless of how well a bathroom is cleaned, a toilet bowl with a dark brown ring will undermine a cleaner’s work. The ring stain found in toilet bowls is often rust caused by mineral compounds such as manganese or iron. Therefore, it ideal to use cleaning solutions that are acidic (below 7pH). Acids dissolve rust and stronger acids work faster than weaker ones. They bond with the mineral which helps break down the rust after applying. Please note, we are not suggesting pouring hydrochloric acid or muriatic acid into your toilet bowl. That's dangerous for you and your plumbing. If the toilet bowl does not have the brown ring stains, then the cleaner should always use non-acidic solutions or compounds to clean. The non-acidic cleaners will help break down grease, dirt, and grime with some agitation (toilet bowl brush). We recommend having both types of cleaners available. We recommend these toile bowl cleaners for your routine bathroom use
3. Disinfectants
A disinfectant is simply a chemical solution that is intended to kill both bacteria and viruses when applied to a surface. A properly cleaned and disinfected bathroom is one of the best ways to keep diseases and germs out of a facility. In the bathroom, there are common areas or frequently touched areas that makes it easier for germs to spread among people. Using a disinfectant will kill bacteria and viruses present. How to apply the disinfectant depends on the manufacturer so it is important to pay attention to the manufacturer’s direction such as dilution ratio, contact dwell time, and proper storage of the disinfectant. Not following the manufacturer’s dilution ratio recommendation may cause harm to the cleaner and to the surface. Disinfectants should be applied to areas like light switches, toilet bowl handles and faucet handles. Disinfectants should be applied on microfiber cloths that are color coded for bathrooms. This article talks about how a disinfectant can be used when somebody has the norovirus. You may use this link to purchase industry approved disinfectants for your facility.
4. Neutral Floor Cleaners
A neutral floor cleaner is an essential bathroom cleaning chemical. A neutral floor cleaner is a cleaning product that can be used daily to remove soils from the surface of your floors regardless of the floor type. As the name suggests, neutral floor cleaners are pH neutral, meaning they have a pH of or close to 7. This pH level makes the cleaning product chemically neutral and will clean common soils on your bathroom floor while protecting your floor finish from damage. A cleaning product that is neither alkaline nor acidic can be used to clean your floors regularly without causing damage to the floor finish. Neutral floor cleaners must be mixed with clean water for wet mopping. A good floor maintenance routine should include your bathroom floors. Use this link to check out some of the neutral floor cleaners that we have used in past and still recommend:
5. Microfiber Cloths:
Using paper towels and trifold paper for cleaning can be a real nuisance and not to add a detriment to the environment. Microfiber cloths are essential cleaning tools because they can be washed and reused. Designating a specific color for bathroom use makes it ideal for infection prevention protocols, especially in healthcare facilities and schools. Most cleaning providers opt for 4 colors (orange, yellow, blue, and green) when choosing microfiber cloths for cleaning and staff are trained to know the purposes of each color. Orange for bathrooms, green for food prep areas, blue for general cleaning and yellow for general disinfections not including bathrooms. It is highly recommended to change microfiber cloths per bathroom . Lastly, it is cost effective to use microfiber cloths to clean rather than relying on paper towels or disinfectant wipes. This article provides detail accounts of trends in cleaning supplies since the 2019 Coronavirus pandemic. Use this link to purchase microfiber cloths at wholesale value.
Resources:
Here are additional resources for you to further increase your janitorial knowledge and stay updated on new trends in facility maintenance
Distinct Cleaning News and Media Post: Easy to read blog articles on various topics and trends in the commercial janitorial space.
Janitorial Work and Tutorial Videos: Quick cleaning tutorial and before and after videos intended to give the audience a glimpse into various janitorial work.
