We’ve all heard horror stories where a customer spots a cockroach in their soup. It’s almost enough to make any diner lose their appetite! But if you’re a restaurant owner in Cheras, there are steps you can take to avoid the dreaded mistake of poor hygiene and sanitation.
Join us as we discuss the cleaning mistakes to avoid in restaurants in Cheras!
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Failing to Clean Food Preparation Surfaces
Good food safety and hygiene practices are essential for ensuring a safe, clean and successful restaurant. Failure to clean surfaces properly and regularly is one of the most common mistakes made when it comes to food preparation in restaurants. Restaurant owners need to be aware of the risks associated with not cleaning their surfaces adequately, including the growth of bacteria that can cause foodborne illness and other health issues.
When it comes to cleaning preparation surfaces, here are some tips that all restaurants should follow:
- Regularly clean all preparation surfaces with an approved cleaning solution after each use.
- Ensure that any spills are cleaned up immediately.
- Sterilize all knives between each use to avoid cross-contamination.
- Thoroughly wash cutting boards with hot soapy water between uses and check they are free from cracks or splits which can harbor bacteria.
- Clean pots and pans with hot water, detergent, and a brush between uses to remove grease buildup or burnt-on residues which can be difficult to remove later on.
- Make sure utensils such as tongs, spatulas, etc are cleaned before switching from one task or ingredient to another as this will help minimize the risk of cross-contamination.
- Use protective gloves when handling ready-to-eat foods as this will help protect against any potential contamination from raw ingredients such as meats or vegetables handled earlier on in the preparation process.
Not Washing Hands Regularly
One of the most important cleaning tasks for staff in any restaurant is to ensure that their hands are washed regularly and thoroughly. Unfortunately, this often goes overlooked, resulting in various types of bacteria spreading from one surface to another or even into food.
It is critical that staff are made aware of their responsibility to thoroughly wash and dry their hands throughout the day and especially when changing tasks. This will help to reduce the spread of bacteria, ensuring the safety of both the customers and staff.
In addition to regular hand washing, it is important for staff to disinfect items that come into contact with food such as utensils, cutting boards, and equipment often. This helps to make sure that germs and bacteria do not contaminate food which could cause health issues for customers dining in your restaurant.
Not Sanitizing Utensils and Equipment
Not sanitizing utensils and equipment is one of the most common mistakes made in restaurants in Cheras. It is easy to overlook when it comes to day-to-day cleaning, but this negligence can lead to the spread of foodborne illnesses or other serious health complications.
All kitchen staff and restaurant owners should take the time to properly sanitize all utensils, equipment, and surfaces used in various parts of the restaurant to ensure they are safe and hygienic for food preparation.
To properly sanitize all items, kitchen staff should use a detergent solution first to physically remove grease, dirt, and other particles from equipment. After that has been done, a sanitizer (generally chlorine-based) should be used for thorough disinfection. If you are uncertain how to properly sanitize kitchen utensils and equipment it would be best to call a cleaning service company from Cheras to assist you with it.
Before using any kind of chemical cleaning agent such as an acid cleaner or caustic detergent solution, it is highly important that staff familiarize themselves with its properties (e.g., corrosive nature). Furthermore, staff must always wear protective gear such as gloves, aprons, and eye protection when handling caustic material.
Not Cleaning Up Spills Immediately
One of the most important cleaning mistakes to avoid in restaurants in Cheras is failing to clean up spills immediately. Even a small spill can quickly attract insects and other pests, which can carry nasty germs which could put your customers and other staff members at risk. Therefore, it’s important to swiftly attend to any spills that occur, regardless of size or type.
As soon as you notice any liquid on the floor, wipe it up with a suitable cleaning product and absorbent material, such as paper towels or sawdust. A mop and bucket may also be needed for larger spills.
If possible, you should also disinfect the affected area afterward using a suitable sanitizer that is appropriate for restaurant use and meets safety standards. This will help to prevent any deterioration of the flooring or carpet material and help protect against the spread of germs throughout your premises, safeguarding both your employees and customers alike.
Not Cleaning the Floors Regularly
It’s important to make sure that the floors are cleaned thoroughly and regularly in your restaurant. Not only will this help to keep staff safe from slipping on spills and other messes, but it will also give guests a better impression of the restaurant. Floors can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria which can quickly spread if not kept clean.
Have a designated cleaning schedule for all the floors in your restaurant to ensure that they stay kept tidy and hygienic at all times.
Not Cleaning the Walls and Ceilings
To ensure a safe and healthy dining experience, restaurants should pay attention to the cleanliness of their walls and ceilings. Food particles and grease can accumulate in these areas if they are not cleaned regularly. Additionally, these surfaces can become a breeding ground for bacteria, which can contaminate food, leading to food-borne illness among patrons.
Food debris that accumulates on walls and ceilings should be removed with the help of a vacuum cleaner or heavy-duty wipes that are specially designed for removing grease. It is also important to remember to focus on corners and tough-to-reach areas as dust build-up is more likely here.
Mild detergents may need to be used when dealing with stubborn grease spots on walls, followed by thorough wiping with a damp cloth or heavy-duty cloth. To reduce the risk of cross-contamination during wall or ceiling cleaning, disposable gloves should be worn at all times.
Not Cleaning and Sanitizing Bathrooms Regularly
In every restaurant, bathrooms are one of the most important areas that need to be monitored and kept clean. Moreover, they should be regularly sanitized so that germs can be killed and prevented from spreading. Due to the high usage in restaurants, unclean bathrooms create a bad impression of the restaurant on customers. Therefore, it is essential for restaurants in Cheras to always ensure that their bathrooms are regularly cleaned and sanitized.
Apart from sanitization, basic door handles and fixtures should also be checked once in a while to make sure that they remain free of dirt or bacteria. Additionally, a list of bathroom supplies such as toilet paper must also be kept at hand for convenience for customers.
The walls, toilets, and other surfaces must also always remain wiped thoroughly with cleaning solutions with disinfecting properties such as bleach or quaternary ammonium compounds during cleaning. Foul odors like those from sewage pipes should never persist inside the bathrooms so as to not repel potential customers.
One key thing to bear in mind is to never forget any areas or spots when it comes to cleaning bathrooms, as these could still harbor germs or bacteria even if other areas have been cleaned with much effort.
Conclusion
The quality of service in restaurants is substantially affected by how well they are cleaned. To ensure that your restaurant runs efficiently and works toward the highest standards, it’s essential to avoid the common cleaning mistakes that can occur. From not separating food waste to leaving surfaces unclean, these mistakes can diminish your customer’s experience, cause damage to your reputation, and even lead to penalties from health inspectors.
To prevent this from happening, keep a consistent cleaning schedule and make sure all staff understands their responsibilities before service begins. Disinfecting surfaces regularly during peak times of the day can also go a long way toward keeping your restaurant clean and efficient.