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5 most Contaminated Spots in the Restroom
The Dutch magazine Service Management once again conducted a study on restroom cleanliness. 150 public restrooms in catering, accommodation, and retail establishments were surveyed, and the result was shockingly low – only 40.4% of the surveyed restrooms were clean. During the study, microorganisms were measured on four contact surfaces – the toilet seat, faucet, flush button, and door handle. The door handle was the least contaminated, in only 9% of cases. The study also identified the cleanest restroom in the Netherlands, which turned out to be a public toilet in a leisure center in South Holland, where no microbiological contamination was found. Similar studies have been conducted in the Netherlands for years. A thought-provoking fact is that the proportion of clean restrooms has been decreasing over the years.
But which places in the restroom reveal that its cleanliness may not be sufficient?
But which places in the restroom reveal that its cleanliness may not be sufficient?
Contaminated Areas:
1. The edge of the door is dirty – this is a contact surface touched by many people. However, it does not visibly get dirty after just a few touches. If there is visible dirt, it has likely been left unwiped for a long time, meaning it bears the fingerprints of tens, hundreds, or perhaps even thousands of people.
2. Paper or soap dispensers are dirty underneath; this is also a contact surface. When taking paper and soap, different people touch these surfaces. Visible dirt means these areas have not been cleaned for an extended period.
3. A ring of grime around the faucet – according to several studies, sinks are often a source of contamination. It is a favorite spot for microorganisms, with sufficient moisture and dirt for reproduction. From a contaminated sink, microorganisms can spread to other surfaces and, for example, create a hygiene risk in areas with high hygiene requirements. Therefore, regular cleaning of sinks is important, using cleaning agents and mechanical action, such as a dish brush and a faucet brush, and then wiping dry with a microfiber cloth.
4. The trash can and its surroundings are dirty – organic dirt, which is a good breeding ground for microorganisms, accumulates in the trash can. It is important to keep the trash can clean inside and out, as well as its surroundings.
5. Splashes on the restroom walls – if an unpleasant odor starts to develop in the restroom, the cause is often splashes on the walls. These may not be visible upon simple inspection, but a UV lamp reveals the reality. Also, an experienced eye can spot wall stains by looking at the wall from an angle. It is important to regularly, for example once a week, clean the restroom walls by wiping them with a damp microfiber cloth.
2. Paper or soap dispensers are dirty underneath; this is also a contact surface. When taking paper and soap, different people touch these surfaces. Visible dirt means these areas have not been cleaned for an extended period.
3. A ring of grime around the faucet – according to several studies, sinks are often a source of contamination. It is a favorite spot for microorganisms, with sufficient moisture and dirt for reproduction. From a contaminated sink, microorganisms can spread to other surfaces and, for example, create a hygiene risk in areas with high hygiene requirements. Therefore, regular cleaning of sinks is important, using cleaning agents and mechanical action, such as a dish brush and a faucet brush, and then wiping dry with a microfiber cloth.
4. The trash can and its surroundings are dirty – organic dirt, which is a good breeding ground for microorganisms, accumulates in the trash can. It is important to keep the trash can clean inside and out, as well as its surroundings.
5. Splashes on the restroom walls – if an unpleasant odor starts to develop in the restroom, the cause is often splashes on the walls. These may not be visible upon simple inspection, but a UV lamp reveals the reality. Also, an experienced eye can spot wall stains by looking at the wall from an angle. It is important to regularly, for example once a week, clean the restroom walls by wiping them with a damp microfiber cloth.