Guests inspect the bathroom more closely than any other part of the room. It must be cleaned and disinfected in the right order, using dedicated toilet equipment. Hair, limescale, soap marks and odours all count as failures.
Why it matters
One hair in the shower can mean a complaint or a bad review. Poor hygiene can also spread stomach bugs between guests.
Key ideas
Clean to dirty
Clean the mirror and basin first and the toilet last, so toilet germs are not carried to surfaces guests touch.
High-touch points
Taps, flush buttons, door handles, switches and the toilet seat are touched by every guest, so disinfect them every time.
Dedicated toilet equipment
Toilet cloths and brushes are never used on any other surface. This is your main defence against cross-contamination.
Step by step
- 1
Apply toilet cleaner under the rim and leave it to work.
- 2
Remove used towels, rubbish and amenities.
- 3
Clean the mirror, basin and taps, then the bath or shower.
- 4
Clean the toilet last, inside and out, with its own cloth and brush.
- 5
Remove hair, polish chrome, restock and mop out towards the door.
Do
- Check behind the toilet and along the shower seals for hair.
- Wipe shower screens dry to prevent limescale.
- Change your gloves after cleaning the toilet.
Common mistakes
- Don't wash guest glasses in the basin; replace them.
- Don't use the toilet cloth on any other surface.
- Don't mask odours with air freshener; clean the source.
The situation
A checkout bathroom looks spotless, but when you kneel down you find hair behind the toilet and around the shower base.
What a professional does
You treat this as part of the standard. You remove the hair with a damp disposable cloth, clean both areas and recheck from low down.
Useful phrases
“The shower drain in 207 is slow. Could maintenance check it?”
“Housekeeping. I'll be out in five minutes.”
Pro tip
Apply toilet cleaner first so it gets its full contact time while you clean everything else.
Quick check
Why is the toilet cleaned last?
Think about it, then show the answer
It is the dirtiest area, so cleaning it last stops germs reaching the surfaces guests touch.