Food and cleanliness go hand in hand. But, unfortunately, restaurant owners often overlook one of the most important areas that need special attention – deep cleaning! In this blog, we’ll take a look at the most important restaurant areas that need regular deep cleaning so you can keep your customers safe and happy. So grab your rubber gloves and let’s get to it!
Contents
Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most important areas in a restaurant to keep clean, as it can quickly become a health hazard if proper cleaning and sanitation are not carried out on a regular basis. The kitchen needs to be thoroughly cleaned at least once each day but can be cleaned more than once depending on the level of cooking and food preparation that takes place in that area.
This includes:
- Sanitizing any and all surfaces with an approved sanitizer;
- Washing all pots, pans, dishes, and utensils;
- Scrubbing the sink;
- Mopping the floor;
- Wiping down shelves and counters;
- Emptying garbage cans;
- Cleaning refrigerators, ovens, broilers, grills, and fryers;
- Sanitizing any cutting boards or other equipment used for food preparation.
Restrooms
When it comes to restaurant cleanliness, the restrooms may be the most important area that requires intensive attention. A clean restroom shows your guests that you prioritize their health and safety. It also conveys a strong message about your restaurant’s attention to detail and professionalism.
The best way to keep your restrooms clean is by launching a comprehensive deep-cleaning program. This should include daily spot cleaning of toilets, sinks, and urinals; monthly deep cleans; and quarterly maintenance scheduled with a contractor for more intensive duties like grout steam cleaning, ceiling tile replacement, and carpet shampooing.
On a daily basis, cleaners should give special attention to all surface areas – from toilet seats and fixtures to walls, floors, doors, and windows. Attention should be given to stall partitions as well; they should be inspected daily for signs of damage or wear such as rust or chipped corners. If your cleaners are not capable of deep cleaning the restrooms, it is advisable to ask for assistance from professional cleaning service provider, they are well-versed and have the proper types of equipment to deal with your restrooms’ deep cleaning problems.
Finally, garbage cans must not be neglected:
- Bins require frequent emptying;
- Interiors should be descaled regularly;
- Liners should not protrude above the rim of the bin in order to avoid overflow onto floors;
- Plastic liners should be used for better hygiene over traditional paper bags or cardboard boxes;
- Odor control solutions must always be available within each bin area in order to ensure no unpleasant smells linger throughout the premises.
Floors and Walls
Floors and walls in restaurants are some of the most important areas that need to be cleaned thoroughly. Dining areas can have high pedestrian traffic, making them prone to dirt and grime build-up. Even equipment such as ovens, fryers, and stoves can potentially cause floors and walls to become stained with grease and oil.
These surfaces should be regularly washed and sanitized to maintain a clean dining atmosphere for customers. Floors should be thoroughly scrubbed with a brush or mop, taking special care around corners where dirt can accumulate undetected.
Walls should also be wiped down frequently with a dry cloth or sponge. In kitchens, walls should also be cleaned with an approved sanitizing solution between food preparation activities to reduce the risk of cross-contamination between different ingredients.
Commercial kitchen ambiance flooring may differ significantly from dining rooms – many establishments use epoxy floors or other kinds of non-porous materials that need special cleaners for maintenance and upkeep. Depending on the finish of your flooring, it may require periodic buffing or waxing in order to keep it looking its best for customers coming in for meals.
Dining and Seating Areas
Food service establishments are constantly busy, requiring a high level of efficiency from staff members as customers enter, dine and leave. The dining areas should be cleaned before seating customers to ensure that each person has a safe and hygienic dining experience. High-traffic public spaces like restaurants can be breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses if not deep-cleaned regularly.
Cleaning the dining area should start with:
- Sweeping up any food or crumbs left behind on the floor to prevent the attraction of rodents and other pests.
- Wiping down all tables, chairs, benches, and booths with an appropriate cleaning solution before new patrons arrive.
- Cleaning heat lamps or lights above tables regularly or replacing them depending on the frequency of use in your restaurant.
- Monitoring any sticks of butter sitting on tables closely to prevent insect contamination.
- Cleaning out condiment holders and replacing their contents periodically according to food safety standards.
Front of House
Front-of-house (FOH) areas of a restaurant such as dining and bar areas, lobbies, bathrooms, and waiting areas must be kept organized and clean in order to provide both a pleasant atmosphere and outstanding customer service. FOH usually requires higher levels of deep cleaning due to the location’s visibility to the public, the presence of heavy foot traffic, and the presence of food particles or crumbs on carpets.
Deep cleaning front-of-house requires expertise in disinfecting surfaces such as tabletops, chairs, floors, windowsills/frames, and coaster holders as well as vacuuming/mopping carpets. In addition to these tasks that are needed on a regular basis, it is important to also carry out specific tasks in order to ensure a deep cleaning is achieved. These include:
- Shampooing mats/carpets;
- Pressure washing outdoor seating;
- Dust mopping all hard floors;
- Cleaning inside glass doors;
- Wiping off chair legs and armrests;
- Wiping down walls with appropriate products for specific materials;
- Scrubbing tile grout between restroom floors/walls with an enzymatic cleaner;
- Polishing metal surfaces that have been scratched.
Outdoor Seating Area
Outdoor seating areas in restaurants require regular deep cleaning to ensure a high standard of hygiene. This is especially important during warm weather when there are likely to be more customers frequenting the restaurant.
All furniture and surfaces, including tables and chairs, should be properly cleaned with a reliable disinfectant on a regular basis. Additionally, windows, walls, height dividers between tables, and other surfaces should also be sanitized using a suitable cleaner.
When deep cleaning outdoor seating areas, care must also be taken to clean underneath furniture and any areas that may be difficult to access. Regular vacuuming of seating, walkways, and other surfaces will help to remove dirt particles that can harbor bacteria which can make diners ill.
Conclusion
Deep cleaning of these areas on a regular basis will help ensure food safety regulations are met and maintain high levels of cleanliness throughout the establishment. Cleaning schedules should be tailored to each individual restaurant depending on the size and type of cuisine served. Professional cleaning services may be used for difficult-to-reach spots such as behind equipment or ceiling/wall cracks and crevices. Furthermore, restaurants must keep up with monthly duties such as litter removal and trash disposal to stay clean between professional cleanings if desired.
By utilizing deep cleaning methods in all restaurant areas daily, restaurants are able to improve the customer experience while also keeping staff safe from potential hazards associated with unclean conditions.