Truck Stops And Toilets; The Hidden Hazards Of Restrooms On The Road

This summer, millions of Americans will head off on vacation and find adventure, relaxation, discovery - and germs. It's so common it's become a cliche - the dirty rest stop, the greasy spoon - and most of us believe that we can spot an unfit bathroom when we see it.

But just because a bathroom looks clean, it doesn't mean that it is clean. "Even in the most pristine-looking facility, there may be millions of microorganisms just waiting to make you and your family sick," says Amy Simpson, president of Swisher Hygiene, America's leading commercial hygiene services company. Fortunately, there are a few surefire ways to tell whether the restrooms you encounter on the road are sanitary or soiled: 1) Smell - The number one (pun intended) way to tell that a restroom isn't up to standard is the smell. Naturally, bathrooms see their fair share of unpleasant odors, but they shouldn't linger if the facility isn't currently in use. If the bathroom you're using smells unclean - and there's no mistaking what that means - it is unclean.

2) Buildup - Nobody enjoys cleaning bathrooms, and the unfortunate side effect of this for travelers is that the facilities they find are often given a cursory once-over. If there's any sort of build up in the fixtures - typically under the rims of toilet bowls, around faucets and in urinals - you can be sure that they haven't received the level of attention you deserve.

3) Handles - You may have washed your hands, but what about everybody else who's used the facility? Remember - the last thing you touch when you leave the bathroom is the doorknob, and if it's not sanitary, you're not sanitary.

4) Vents - Even in restrooms that are well maintained, the focus is usually on keeping the fixtures clean. Look up and you may find air vents that are clogged with dirt, dust and the detritus from thousands and thousands of visitors. Dirty ducts are a breeding ground for germs, and the air the passes through them is the air you breathe.

5) Floors - The tile may shine, but if it's sticky, there's a good chance that it isn't being washed properly. Rather than eliminating the contaminants, improper washing techniques may actually spread offending material.

6) Countertops - At least with floors, you're protected by your shoes. If the countertops show signs of neglect, though, it's often discovered through skin contact. Anything but a thoroughly disinfected countertop is unacceptable.

7) Film - Ever look at a bathroom mirror that's blurry from heaven-knows-what? When you consider that the mirror is just about the most conspicuous place in the restroom, if the cleaning crew didn't do a good job with that, you can only imagine how much attention they paid to other areas.

8) Garbage Bins - If the garbage is overflowing or the feminine disposal units haven't been serviced in a while, you can expect that the bathroom hasn't been cleaned recently - that is, unless you happen to be visiting during a peak time, in which case the excess might be excused.

9) Soap Dispensers - If there's no soap when you go to wash your hands, there was probably no soap for the people who went before you, either - so everything you touch should be considered contaminated.

10) Baseboards - Another sign that the facilities may not have been cleaned as thoroughly as they should have been. Whether they're fancy wooden details or utilitarian plastic guards, if there's dust, dirt or grime, you can be certain that the bathroom has not been truly sanitized.

Of course, sometimes your choices are limited. If you have no other option than to use facilities that are less than clean, there are some things you can do to minimize your exposure to potentially harmful microorganisms.

The most important of these is hand washing. Virtually every medical authority agrees: vigorous hand washing with warm, soapy water is your best defense against contamination. Also make sure to carry antibacterial cleanser with you - it offers excellent protection for times when water is not available (or of such poor quality that you wouldn't want to use it). And to prevent others from unpleasant experiences of their own, when you do find a bathroom that's not up to muster, make sure to talk to the manager and explain just how unacceptable the facilities are.

"It really pays to be aware of your surroundings," says Simpson. "Just a tiny bit of extra effort can mean the difference between a vacation to remember and one you'll want to forget."

For More Infromation Please contact:
Swisher Franchising
Phone: (877) 7SWISHER
Email: [email protected]

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