Commercial Restroom Cleaning Tips On Odor Control

Are your customers complaining of foul odors in your restrooms? Is that sewer smell still present after the bathrooms have been cleaned? Have you deep cleaned the tile and grout, but still can’t get rid of the smell?

The cause of bathroom odors is often due to the presence of foul smelling bacteria that result from a buildup of organic matter, e.g. human waste. String mops are notorious for leaving dirt and germs behind. Organic matter that isn’t removed during routine cleaning, can seep into porous grout lines and accumulate beneath floor drains, providing a food source for odor causing bacteria.

When odors persist despite your best efforts, you may want to look at other possible causes. Sink traps that dry out and clogged drains can contribute to foul smells. Your first inclination might be to call a plumber. However, if the odor appears to be emanating from a sink or floor drain, you might want to consider using an enzyme digester first.

What are enzyme digesters and how do they work:

Enzymes are naturally found in our digestive system. They help break food down into smaller particles so they can be more easily digested. Enzymes have been used for years in the cleaning industry. They can get rid of carpet stains by breaking down organic matter into smaller particles, making them easier to remove. Enzyme digesters can also be used to eliminate odor-producing bacteria found beneath restroom floor drains, by removing the organic matter they feed on.

Case Study of Persistent Bathroom Odors in a Car Dealership:

A car dealership with heavy foot traffic complained of persistent bathroom odors. The janitorial company that was servicing the dealership had been using string mops to clean the restroom floors for years.

Ace Cleaning Systems, a South Florida commercial cleaning service, was hired to service the account and provide a solution for the restroom odors that were present.

Ace replaced the string mop and bucket system with a no touch, rinse and extract system to effectively remove organic matter. The restroom floors were cleaned with the new system on a daily basis using neutral floor cleaners and hospital grade disinfectants.

This cleaning protocol was somewhat effective, but didn’t eliminate the odors completely. Ace started using an enzyme digester on the floor drain every other day, which resulted in a complete eradication of any odors after one week.

After the odors were eliminated, Ace continued to use the rinse and extract system on a daily basis to prevent the buildup of organic matter and odor causing bacteria. Enzyme digesters are now being used weekly on the restroom floor drains for maintenance. Since this protocol was instituted, the odors haven’t recurred.

5 Commercial Cleaning Restroom Tips To Prevent Odors

Use cleaning equipment that extracts organic matter from floors and fixtures so it isn’t pushed down floor drains or left to accumulate on bathroom tile and grout;
Avoid using string mop and bucket systems to clean restroom floors;
Clean and vacuum bathroom vents periodically;
Use commercial grade, EPA registered disinfectants to kill germs;
Use microfiber materials that remove soils more effectively;

Foul bathroom odors may be simple to eliminate by adhering to the principles of cleaning best practices. Organic matter must be extracted to prevent odors from developing. Enzyme digesters can be used to eliminate odors when cleaning best practices fail. If restroom odors persist despite the use of these measures, other causes should be investigated.

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