A Simple Checklist for School Bathroom Cleaning & Maintenance

The Simplest Checklist for School Bathroom Maintenance

A Clean and Well-Maintained School Bathroom Keeping school restrooms clean and functional is at the top of every custodial department’s list. When managing school bathroom maintenance, it’s important to be organized so tasks don’t get skipped and nothing is missed. According to the article “A Guide to School Restroom Cleaning” from Carlson Building Maintenance, it states “without clean restrooms and facilities, it’s difficult for students to stay focused on academic success. In fact, 88% of students believe that poorly maintained buildings can be a distraction to their learning experience.” (2)

We know trying to remember everything that needs to be done while cleaning school bathrooms is difficult and therefore it’s best to use a checklist. So, we put one together for you. Below is a simple daily bathroom cleaning checklist that you can download, print, and use immediately. We also discuss how to use the checklist, a common framework on how to complete daily restroom cleaning tasks, and how to perform cleaning and maintenance inspections for your school restrooms.

A Printable Resource

To ensure that your restrooms are clean, sanitary, and well-maintained, download this simple checklist. There is a spot at the top of the form to write in which restroom is being inspected or cleaned, and then it lists out each inspection point including toilets, urinals, sinks, mirrors, door handles, switches, dispensers, trash cans, floors, etc. As you work through each inspection you simply mark whether it’s acceptable or needs attention. Sign and date at the bottom and return to your cleaning or maintenance staff, or if you are cleaning and using this as a guide, mark or add your initials along the right side of the sheet and when you are done cleaning, turn into your manager or supervisor for their inspection.

To download and print, simply click on the image to the right. This will open in a new window, as a downloadable PDF form, that you can save and print to use immediately.

The Daily Tasks: Routine Cleaning and Disinfecting

Before you begin cleaning make sure you have all the supplies you’ll need and that your cart is stocked. Be sure to include the following:

The Restroom Checklist – although this is for inspection, this can also be followed to complete tasks.
Disinfectant spray, toilet bowl cleaner, glass cleaner, floor disinfectant cleaner for mopping, and any other surface cleaner needed depending on the type of materials your fixtures are made of.
Restroom supplies to restock dispensers including hand soap, paper towels, and toilet paper.
Microfiber cloths, rubber gloves, scrubbing sponges, and scratchpads.
Dusting equipment including a high duster or an extension duster.
Floor cleaning tools including an angled broom, dustpan, a wet mop, and mop bucket.
Trash liners to replace in receptacles as well as a large trash bag or portable container to add trash removed from the restroom.
Caution signs including do not enter doorway sign to block entry while it’s being cleaned as well as wet floor signs after cleaning is completed but floors are still drying.

Start your regimen with a visual inspection of the restroom. “Look for debris, broken items, spills, or biohazards so that you can take care of these issues before you start your cleaning process.” (2) This reduces the chance of being disrupted after you start cleaning.

Allow disinfectants to sit for proper dwell time as labeled Now that you’ve checked to see if the restroom is ready to be cleaned, you can begin your tasks. Many disinfectants require a specific dwell time to work effectively. This is the perfect time for you to begin checking and restocking supplies such as hand soap, toilet paper, paper towels, disposable seat covers, and air fresheners. Check battery-operated dispensers and replace batteries as needed.

Continue with your cleaning tasks including high dusting and baseboard dusting, spot cleaning high-touch surfaces, and floor-sweeping. Use special cleaners as needed on toilets, sinks, and urinals and complete scrubbing tasks. Polish fixtures as needed, clean any mirrors or glass surfaces.

Once you're finished with these cleaning tasks, do another visual inspection to make sure you didn’t miss anything. Use your checklist as a guide. The last cleaning step will be mopping floors, starting at the outer edges working your way back to the exit. Leave your caution wet floor sign at the entrance to reduce slip and falls.

Keep Your Restroom Stocked

Keep Your Restroom Stocked In GP Pro’s market research, it found that running out of toilet paper ranks third among all public restroom issues. Another study found that the number one reason students don’t wash their hands at school is that the restroom is out of soap or paper towels. Not only is running out of supplies in the restroom frustrating, but it's also a public health concern. The lack of basic hygienic supplies increases the risk of illness and the spread of disease.

Follow the guidelines below to keep your restroom stocked up:

Include the restocking of toilet paper, paper towels, and soap in your cleaning regimen.
Make a list for cleaning staff to check the supplies on hand and refill if needed.
Use high capacity soap dispensers and refills to reduce frequent restocking.
Invest in smart technology in your dispensers to alert staff when supplies are low.

Perform Regular Maintenance Inspections

“Poor restroom maintenance leaves you and your facility open to a host of problems that can pile up fast,” says Mitch Hesson, the author of “The Ultimate Restroom Cleaning Services Checklist” article on Strathakis. It’s important to regularly inspect all fixtures, lighting, ventilation, and hardware throughout your restrooms in your school or facility. These are essential components for the health and safety of the restroom user.

Here is a quick checklist of items that should be inspected at least once a week:

Ceiling tiles should be securely in place and free from water damage.
Electrical outlets and light switches are in good, working condition.
The entrance door and door hardware are functioning properly.
Stall doors and stall hardware including latches, keeper bumpers, and hinges, for example, are in good, working condition.
Sink faucets are not dripping, and sink and floor drains are clear.
All dispensers are in good, working condition including toilet paper dispensers, paper towel dispensers, soap dispensers, etc.
Flooring or floor coverings including matting are in good condition.
Toilets are flushable and in proper working order.
Accessibility features including handrails and grab bars, ramps, push-button openers, etc. are unobstructed, secure, and in good, working condition.
Light levels should be adequate, be sure to check for burnt-out bulbs and that lighting fixtures are unobstructed and functioning properly.
Air quality, temperature, and humidity should be adequate and all vents and units are unobstructed, clean, and in good working condition.
There should also be an adequate amount of waste receptacles in each restroom, and that these are not obstructing aisles, stalls, or entrances and exits.

Bathroom Hardware Upkeep

Don't underestimate the impact that your restrooms have on the presence of your school or facility. Tarnished, broken, or missing stall hardware not only affects the functionality of your restrooms but can also hinder how students, staff, or visitors perceive the quality of your school or building.

Our Universal Toilet Partition Hardware consists of a vast selection of bathroom stall brackets, keeper bumpers, latches, bumpers, hooks, hinges, and more. All of our restroom partition parts and hardware are universally designed to fit most major brands, partition materials, and thickness. We offer everything you need to fix-up your restroom partitions today, and this guide, “Fix-Up Your Restroom Stalls Fast”, will help you navigate those options.

Updating Your Restroom Improves Sanitation

Your school may be looking for bigger solutions, whether it’s to replace stall doors, panels, or pilasters, due to wear and tear or vandalism, or maybe a complete renovation. Either way, there are affordable solutions available. Ordering vandal-resistant restroom partitions will give your school restrooms a great new look plus the durability you expect with easy-to-clean surfaces.

Whether you are looking into major renovations or minor upgrades, making any type of improvement to your school’s restroom can make a big difference. Investing in these changes will save your school money by reducing maintenance costs, improve sanitation by reducing waste and preventing the spread of germs, and create a positive school image by offering a clean and compliant restroom environment. “When a school washroom is kept clean and well-maintained, students are more likely to make an effort to keep it that way.” (4)

Keep Your School Washroom Clean & Well-Maintained We hope you found this guide helpful. To learn more about solutions to common school maintenance concerns, please visit the School Fix Blog.