If asked the question on a survey, a large percentage of restaurant customers would probably say that a dirty restroom gives the impression of a dirty restaurant kitchen. Keeping your restrooms clean is crucial for repeat business, and restroom drain cleaning can be the key to solving long-lasting odor and bacteria problems. Solid and liquid waste that washes down restroom drains can become trapped in pipe bends, offering a breeding ground for the bacteria that spread disease and create noxious odors. A carefully followed schedule of restroom drain cleaning is the answer to keeping your drains clean and free from offensive odors.
Solid Matter
Restroom floors often hold small bits of solid matter, such as torn bath tissue, dirt from shoes, and even food particles tracked in from other parts of the restaurant. If these particles are rinsed down the drain, they can become trapped in bends in the pipes, causing a clog that will allow bacteria to flourish. These bacteria, which feed on urine and fecal matter, are the main cause of bad smells in your restroom. The first line of defense in any restroom cleaning program is to teach employees to sweep the floors thoroughly before moving on to more elaborate cleaning methods. Removing the solid matter from the floor can solve problems with drain clogs as well as odors and bacteria in the restroom environment.
Killing Germs
Bacteria growing in your restroom floor drain is a source for some of the unpleasant smells you'll have to deal with. The simplest way to deal with the root of this problem is to kill off the bacteria and make the environment inhospitable for them to grow in again. Mix a solution of half all-purpose bleach and half water, and pour it down the drain once a month. The solution will sit in any bends in the plumbing, killing off bacteria that lurk underneath the floor.
Avoid Feeding the Bacteria
Instead of having to deal with the odor problem down your drains after the fact, it's much easier to avoid feeding the bacteria beforehand, eliminating the problem before it even starts. The Kaivac No-Touch cleaning system removes bacteria and body fluids from floor surfaces before they reach the restroom floor drain, trapping them until you can dispose of them in a more controlled location. With this system, your employee sprays a cleaning solution over the entire surface of the restroom. After allowing the cleaner to sit for a few minutes, your worker uses a high-pressure spray to blast the soil and germs from the surfaces, then a vacuum to remove all the moisture and contaminates from the floor. You're left with a clean, dry restroom, without having to rinse gallons of contaminated water down the restroom drain.
To learn more about No-Touch Cleaning, click here.