Toilet Talk: Why Clean Restrooms Matter So Much 

Let’s get real – no one really wants to talk about bathrooms, much less clean them. However, bathroom cleanliness is serious business, so let’s get it out in the open. In these post-pandemic years, sanitization is a hot topic everywhere. At Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services, clean restrooms are a top priority. 

It doesn’t take much for a bathroom to develop a bad reputation. Bathrooms with good reputations, on the other hand, can bring in business – think Buc-ee’s and Love’s. Road-trippers know they’ll find clean bathrooms, so why not stop there to buy gas and snacks, too? 

While your typical office building, medical facility, restaurant or school may not attract business by having clean bathrooms, dirty restrooms might turn away customers – and employees. Why should bathroom cleanliness matter to your business? 

 

 Perception

The appearance of your company bathrooms contributes to overall perceptions of the company. If a client ducks into the restroom during a meeting and is horrified by the sight (or scent), it might not bode well for your relationship. Significant turn-offs include overflowing trash cans, dirty floors, odors, missing toilet paper and unflushed toilets. A 2020 In-House/Facility Management Benchmarking Survey from Cleaning and Maintenance Management reported that restrooms were the most problematic area for facility managers by more than double. The study also found that 90% of U.S. adults think that workplace restrooms should be deep-cleaned regularly. 

Office Pride’s professionally trained cleaners can provide assurance that your facility’s needs are being handled. Regular cleaning also leaves a fresh scent that reflects well on your organization’s professionalism. 

 Maintaining clean restrooms also reduces complaints – both those you hear from your staff and those your customers share with their friends. People who are disgusted by dirty bathrooms are likely to share that experience with friends and family, damaging perceptions of your business.   

 

Health 

Bathrooms are ideal places to grow bacteria. With ever-present moisture, bathrooms provide a “healthy” environment for bacteria reproduction and mold. A study in the journal “Applied and Environmental Microbiology” showed that 77,000 bacteria and viruses can exist in restrooms. Not only do these germs threaten the health of employees and customers, but they also contribute to foul odors. Daily bathroom service with professional cleaning products reduces germs that can cause illness and lost productivity.  

 Of course, Office Pride’s professional cleaners will sanitize and disinfect your entire workplace. They wear the appropriate personal protective equipment and follow all manufacturer and CDC/EPA guidelines to protect themselves and others. 

 

Costs 

Interestingly, businesses with dirty bathrooms end up spending more on supplies than those with clean facilities. Why? Because people use extra toilet paper and paper towels to cover the seat, touch the flush handle and open doors.  

 In addition, while dirty restrooms may not be named as a culprit in employee turnover, a survey by the Bradley Company indicated 83% of workers view the condition of workplace restrooms as a measure of their value to the company. Since the average American worker uses company restrooms three to four times a day, according to a study by Kimberly Clark, poor cleanliness can have a significant impact on their satisfaction at work.  

 At Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services, cleaning restrooms is a big part of our business. When you turn over your cleaning needs to us, you can focus on what you do best without worrying about toilet paper and dirty floors.  

 Office Pride Commercial Cleaning provides a full range of janitorial and cleaning services in all types of organizations: office buildings, medical facilities, churches, schools and more. Each independently owned and operated franchise location has professionally trained cleaners and necessary equipment to complete these tasks efficiently and effectively. In addition, our teams work flexible hours, based on the schedule you select. While you take care of your business, your local Office Pride will handle scheduling, safety training, background checks and ensure OSHA requirements are met. Check out Office Pride’s franchise locations to request a free custom quote for maintaining your business all year round.