10.4.3.2: Bathroom Cleaning Tasks

The bathroom is a living space that has many bacteria present due to urine, feces, and blood. It is also a damp and moist space, which encourages many types of bacteria to grow.

Bathroom tasks:

• Wash from clean to dirty areas to prevent spreading dirt or bacteria from dirty to clean areas. The toilet should be washed last and a separate rag from other surfaces should be used for the toilet.
• Ensure the toilet is flushed each time it is used. Encourage household members to do this. Close the lid on the toilet prior to flushing after using the toilet to prevent splashing of urine and feces onto other surfaces.
• The shower and shower surfaces should be wiped down after each use. Ensure the cleaner used is safe for the surface. Scouring cleaners are not safe for use on porcelain and tile as it can scratch.
• Shower walls, tub bottom, shower curtains and doors should all be wiped down daily and thoroughly cleaned at least once per week with an all-purpose or specialty cleaner.
• Hair should be removed from drains to prevent clogs after each bath/shower.
• Used towels should be hung to dry or placed in a laundry hamper to be washed, rather than kept on the floor. This is an important safety precaution. Towels on the floor can lead to falls.
• Bath mats and rugs should be hung to dry off the floor. This will also decrease fall risk.
• The sink should be wiped down after brushing teeth, shaving, or washing to rinse the surface of toothpaste, shaving cream, and cleansers.
• Faucets should be disinfected with an all-purpose cleaner or disinfectant solution daily.
• Toiletries and personal items should be stored and kept organized.
• Mirrors and glass surfaces should be cleaned with glass cleaner and kept clean of splashes.
• Wipe the surface of the toilet lid, toilet cover, and flush handle with a disinfectant cleaner daily.
• Scrub the inside of the toilet bowl with a brush and use an all-purpose cleaner with disinfectant at least once per week. Be sure to scrub under the rim of the toilet. The toilet brush should be washed with a disinfectant solution and allowed to air dry before storing.
• Ensure handrails and safety equipment are in good working order on a daily basis. Inform a supervisor immediately if they are not.
• Vacuum or sweep the floor daily. Wet mop at least once per week. Ensure the floor is dry to prevent falls in the bathroom. Always close off access to rooms that have been mopped to prevent falls.
• Ensure hand towels and bath rugs and mats are clean and dry. Replace with clean towels daily.
• Wipe down hampers and waste baskets with a disinfectant cleanser at least once per week.

Self Check Activity \(\PageIndex{1}\)

True or False

1. The same cleaning cloth should be used to wipe shower walls, sinks, and toilets in order to save money and time.True or False? ______

2. Bath mats and rugs should be picked up after use to prevent falls.True or False? ______

Multiple Choice

3. Which of these would be the priority task?

a). Cleaning the toilet

b). Wiping the mirror

c). Ensuring handrails in the shower and near the toilet work well.

d). Vacuuming the floor

Answer

1. False

2. True

3. C

FEEDBACK:

1. Never use the same cleaning cloth on the toilet as is used on other surfaces. Doing so could result in spreading microorganisms from urine and feces onto other surfaces.

2. Always pick up bath mats, rugs, and towels after use to prevent falls.

3. The priority task is always safety. If the HHA/PCA comes upon a safety hazard they should immediately fix it, or inform their supervisor if they are unable to fix the problem on their own.