Executive Housekeeping Today - February 2009 - (Page 5)

Clean Soap Dispensers are Good for Business It should come as no surprise that restaurant patrons, industrial employees, and students all may view a restroom experience as an overall indicator of a facility’s level of excellence. Results from an independent telephone survey conducted on behalf of The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) show that shiny floors, tidy toilets, clean countertops, sparkling sinks, and gleaming mirrors give American adults feelings of happiness and satisfaction. Consider then the feelings evoked upon experiencing a restroom visit where the floor is littered with used paper towels, the toilets need cleaning, the countertops are spotted with water and leaking soap, sinks are grimy, and mirrors are streaked. In fact, according to SCA Tissue North America’s recent survey, there is a significant impact of restroom conditions and the customer experience and their powerful potential to provide a competitive edge to restaurants. Eighty-eight percent of those polled believe that the condition of a restaurant restroom reflects the overall cleanliness throughout the restaurant, including the kitchen. An unclean restroom may result in 29 percent of patrons not returning to the restaurant. However, of that 29 percent, half of them would tell family and friends about the negative experience. In an era where people are increasingly conscious of combating germs by proper handwashing, the cleanliness of a restroom directly influences the amount of time spent in the facility. i by Myra Montgomery The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and SDA As half of the necessary recommend washing with soap elements required to properly and warm water at least 15 to wash hands, soap must always be made available. 20 seconds. In their 2008 survey, the SDA found that 26 percent of respondents washed for 15 seconds always be made available. Wellor less. A clean restroom evokes placed, wall-mounted dispensers, confidence in its patrons that sur- with an easy loading refill, makes faces are germ-free, and thus, they keeping product “on hand” (pun are more comfortable spending intended) easier for housekeeping more time to properly wash their personnel. hands. Washing hands properly is The dispenser should be regularthe single most important thing ly inspected by the housekeeping we can do to keep from getting sick staff not only for the level of prodand spreading illness to others, ac- uct remaining, but also to assure cording to the CDC. that the unit is in proper working People go to great lengths to (continued on page 10) avoid contacting germ-laden surfaces in public restrooms—flushing toilets with their feet, pushing doors open with their shoulders, dispensing towels with their elbows, etc. Obviously, the innovation of touch-free technology solves many points of contact with - Durable Stainless Steel Carts and Fixtures germy surfaces. - Factory Direct Pricing The focus of - 10 Year Guarantee Against Breakage this article, however, is to concentrate upon the soap dispenser and its impact with the patron. As half of the necessary elements required to properly wash �� hands, soap must Royce �� Company �� February 2009/Executive Housekeeping Today 5 http://www.roycerolls.net http://www.roycerolls.net

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - February 2009

Executive Housekeeping Today - February 2009 Contents Executive Corner Putting a Stop to Restroom Complaints Clean Soap Dispensers are Good for Business Frugal Housekeeper Executive Profile Spartan Scholarship Award Winner USGBC Tip The Green Scene 2008 IEHA Audit Report The Un-Comfort Zone with Robert Wilson 2009 Salary Survey Inside the Industry Product Highlights New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members Advertisers’ Index Calendar of Events Inside IEHA What IEHA Has Done For Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - February 2009

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