Workplace Washroom Hygiene

In Great Britain, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require employers to provide suitable and sufficient toilets and washing facilities, kept clean and in an orderly condition, with hot and cold (or warm) running water, soap and a means of drying hands. Northern Ireland has equivalent regulations. The HSE's guidance and Approved Code of Practice cover numbers of facilities for different numbers of staff.

In practice, that means a regular cleaning schedule, consumables that don't run out and a way of dealing with problems quickly.

Washrooms in regular use should normally be cleaned at least daily. Busy washrooms – in large offices, shops, restaurants or public-facing buildings – need checks and top-ups during the day as well. A simple check sheet on the door showing when the washroom was last checked reassures users and helps managers spot gaps.

A thorough daily clean typically covers:

Professional cleaners use colour-coded cloths and mops – commonly red for toilets and urinals – so equipment used in washrooms isn't used on kitchen or office surfaces. If staff clean any areas themselves, the same principle applies.

Employers must provide suitable means for disposing of sanitary products in women's toilets, and good practice is to provide them in all facilities used by people who may need them. Sanitary bins are usually supplied and emptied by specialist hygiene companies under a contract. Feminine hygiene, nappy disposal and medical waste are regulated waste streams, so use a licensed provider.

Running out of soap or toilet paper is one of the most common washroom complaints. Agree who monitors and restocks consumables and how often. Many contract cleaners include restocking, with consumables either supplied by you or charged separately.

Clean washrooms only help if people can wash their hands properly. Make sure there's always soap, a working hand dryer or paper towels, and warm water. Hand-washing signs near the sink are a helpful reminder, particularly in food businesses and healthcare settings.

Touchpoints such as door handles, taps and flush handles carry the most germs, so they should be cleaned on every visit.

Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities need the same care as other washrooms, and sometimes more. Check alarm cords are hanging free and not tied up, that grab rails are clean and secure, and that baby changing units are wiped and in working order.

Every few months, a deeper clean removes limescale and urine scale from urinals and toilets, cleans grout and high areas, and descales taps thoroughly. It keeps washrooms fresher between routine cleans. Ask your contract cleaner whether this is included or priced separately. See commercial cleaning for what's usually offered.