KIMBERLY-CLARK RESTROOM CLEANING TIP OF THE WEEK
Hygiene & Sanitation: No-Touch Systems Can Lead to Cleaner Restrooms

E-coli outbreaks. Resistant bacteria. New infectious diseases. People
 today are confronted with news about the consequences of poor hygiene
 and the spread of germs on an ongoing basis. And one of the places where
 hygiene can be improved is the restroom.


While proper hand washing is the most effective means of preventing germ
transmission and cross-contamination, numerous studies have shown that
large numbers of people don't wash after using the restroom. As a
result, someone who is infectious can potentially spread germs to others
via restroom fixtures, surfaces, faucets and product dispensers.

So it stands to reason that when your tenants come to work, they deserve
 nothing less than a clean and sanitary restroom. In fact, a
Kimberly-Clark survey of attendees at the June 1998 BOMA Show found that
restroom problems topped the list of complaints in facilities - from
supply run-out to cleanliness and from odors to problem soap dispensers.
A clean and sanitary restroom lets tenants know that management is
paying close attention to one of the building's most important areas.
Conversely, a dirty or disorderly restroom is not only an eyesore but
may heighten fears of germ transmission.

While it can sometimes be difficult to achieve restroom hygiene,
particularly in high-traffic locations that require frequent restocking,
there are systems on the market that can greatly assist property
managers in reaching this goal. Among them:

No-touch systems

A vast array of products are available today that require no-hands
operation or contact only with the product, not with dispenser handles
or levers. No-touch systems can include everything from sensor-activated
faucets and toilet flushing devices to card-entry devices that allow
someone to enter the restroom without even touching the door.

Other types of no-touch products include enclosed bathroom tissue and
paper towel systems that enable users to touch only the product they
will be using. These enclosed systems reduce the potential for
cross-contamination because users touch only the product they use. Since
the product is enclosed it is also protected from dirt and moisture. In
addition, towel and tissue products that offer controlled dispensing
reduce litter and paper debris, which, while not necessarily unsanitary,
conveys the appearance of an unclean restroom environment.

Don't Forget Soap

Another important area that can impact restroom hygiene is soap. Even
 though soap is a small cost component of a restroom, it is frequently a
prime area of complaint. One study of people's hand washing habits found
that nearly half the people who did not wash with soap after using the
restroom had no choice - there was no soap. This can be particularly
disconcerting to the tenant who wants to "do the right thing" but can't.
So it's important to offer high-capacity or dual cartridge soap systems
that last longer and work properly. Watery, poor-quality soap that clogs
up a dispenser and leaves residue on countertops clearly detracts from
restroom cleanliness as well. Using a concentrated, clear antibacterial
soap can help reduce germs while adding a level of comfort for tenants
accustomed to using similar products at home. A thicker, concentrated
soap provides a rich feel, adding to an overall impression of quality
that can improve tenant perceptions of the restroom. And, here too,
no-touch systems can be used to help prevent the spread of germs via
cross-contamination.

Cleaning Systems

As restroom products manufacturers have moved to touchless products and
 systems, so, too, have manufacturers of cleaning systems. Some systems
provide on-demand sanitizing and cleaning of fixtures based upon
flushing. There are also no-touch cleaning products that enable
housekeeping professionals to clean without touching any surface in the
restroom with their hands. These systems are also simple to operate as
they consist primarily of electrical pressurized spraying systems
mounted on a cart with a spray wand. In addition to physical
cleanliness, the systems help restrooms look and smell fresh and clean.


With these and other tools it is easier than ever before to create a
hygienic, sanitary restroom environment for your tenants. When you
consider how much time the average tenant spends in the restroom - more
than three workdays a year - doing anything less just doesn't make
sense.

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