{"id":2119,"date":"2012-09-28T06:01:57","date_gmt":"2012-09-28T10:01:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smartsign.com\/blog\/?p=2119"},"modified":"2020-09-08T08:35:40","modified_gmt":"2020-09-08T12:35:40","slug":"hows-business-check-bathroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smartsign.com/blog\/hows-business-check-bathroom\/","title":{"rendered":"How\u2019s Business? Check the Bathroom"},"content":{"rendered":"

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If the bathroom looks like this, how\u2019s the service? (Photo via <\/em>Bradley Corp<\/em><\/a>.)<\/em><\/p>\n

9\/28\/2012 — Maybe you shouldn\u2019t judge a book by its cover, but Americans believe you can judge a business by its bathrooms, according to recent research.\u00a0 And this goes beyond the quintessential dirty gas-station bathroom: the surveys say issues like unflushed toilets and jammed paper towel dispensers are enough to turn off customers.<\/p>\n

\u201cBusinesses often don’t recognize the negative impact that poorly maintained restrooms can have on the customer experience,\u201d says John Engel, senior marketing manager for the Cintas Corporation, which has held an annual \u201cAmerica\u2019s Best Restroom\u201d contest for more than a decade.<\/p>\n

\u00a0In a recent survey, the company found that \u201c95 percent of people would avoid an establishment if they found the restroom to be dirty.\u201d \u00a0Similarly, the fourth annual Healthy Hand Washing Survey from the Bradley Corporation, which manufactures hand-washing products, found that 83 percent of Americans believe the condition of a workplace restroom is one indicator of how a company values its workforce.<\/p>\n

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\nNow that\u2019s a sparkling-clean bathroom. The Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago is a finalist in this year\u2019s \u201cAmerica\u2019s Best Restroom\u201d contest. (Photo via\u00a0<\/em>Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel<\/em><\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n

But there is hope for every business seeking to clean up its act. Cintas has issued a white paper that reveals the trade secrets of past contest winners.<\/p>\n

A \u201crigorous\u201d cleaning program<\/strong><\/p>\n

Toilets don\u2019t clean themselves, and their condition can deteriorate quickly. According to the report, an effective cleaning program includes spot cleaning, daily cleaning, deep cleaning and spot checks \u2013 using black lights or adenosine triphosphate (ATP) meters to detect microbial contamination.<\/p>\n

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\nMeet the 2011 \u201cAmerica\u2019s Best Restroom\u201d \u2013 the Chicago Field Museum. (Photo via the <\/em>Field Museum<\/em>)<\/em><\/p>\n

The Chicago Field Museum, the 2011 winner, has incorporated much of these.\u00a0 \u201cWe have a five-step cleaning program that takes place every hour in each of our restrooms,\u201d said Willie\u00a0Porter, director of housekeeping operations. \u201cIt\u2019s something that our staff members learn as soon as they are hired and are re-tested on each August to ensure they know the right steps.\u201d<\/p>\n

During use and between cleanings, tools like air fresheners and auto flushers can help keep the restroom looking and smelling clean.<\/p>\n

Available amenities<\/strong><\/p>\n

Basic restroom supplies like toilet paper and soap should not only be stocked, but also housed in dispensers that are easy to use \u2013 to cut down on frustration and wasted materials. Depending on the clientele, businesses should also have amenities like baby-changing areas available.<\/p>\n

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Always a good sign: While it\u2019s best to schedule cleanings between peak business times, patrons will always appreciate attention to cleanliness. (Photo via <\/em>JustBathroomSigns.com<\/em><\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n

A checklist for cleaning protocols<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not enough to have cleaning procedures \u2013 there must be documentation procedures, particularly when duties are split between in-house janitorial staff handling daily maintenance and stocking and a cleaning service dealing with deep-cleaning.\u00a0 Cleaning logs and schedules can help keep everyone on the same page and, when posted, can reassure patrons that the bathroom is routinely cleaned.<\/p>\n

– A.H. Hirt<\/p>\n

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