An 8-Rule Guide To General Office Bathroom Etiquette

We all probably have our little pet peeves when working at the office, right? One of the biggest areas of contention when it comes to proper etiquette, what to do, and what not to do is the office bathroom. There’s almost always that one person that forgets to flush the toilet or forgets to lock the stall as if they’re in their own private home.

However, in a time where hygiene is of utmost importance, it’s important to be mindful of others. Here’s a quick guide on how you can uphold office bathroom etiquette.

1) Maintain Cleanliness.

It’s more often than not that the bathroom stall you go to has already been cleaned, so try not to ruin the tidiness of it and just maintain it instead. Anyone would be disgusted by tissues haphazardly tossed and urine spilled on the floor. Do your business and get out with minimal spillage. Leave the stall as clean as it was when you entered!

2) Wipe The Areas Used Dry.

Wet surfaces and toilet seats aren’t ideal, especially since it makes a better environment for bacteria to thrive in. Avoid splashing water where you shouldn’t. Be sure to pat and wipe those areas down dry as a courtesy to the next bathroom user.

3) Always Flush The Toilet.

The flushing mechanism was installed for a reason.  Leaving a toilet unflushed can often cause an unpleasant smell and rub your officemates the wrong way. It’s common decency to remember to flush the toilet after using it to keep the bowl sanitary.

4) Keep Your Hands Clean.

It has always been part of basic office bathroom etiquette to wash your hands after using a stall. We don’t mean just holding them under running water, but actually lathering soap on them and cleaning them before the rinse.

5) Try Not To Disturb People.

Office chatter may be good at times, but a shared office bathroom might not be the best place to engage in conversation. People go there to use the sink or toilet and nothing else, so it might be more ideal to take the chat to the water cooler.  

6) Don’t Stay In The Stall Too Long.

If you’ve ever waited for more than two minutes for a bathroom stall to open up, you understand the frustration it brings. Avoid giving that same experience to your workmates; it’s not hard to do what you need to do and quickly leave.

7) Avoid Smoking Or Vaping.

Some people may think they’re sneaky, and they can get away by smoking in the bathroom and that the air is ventilated out. The cigar smell usually sticks in enclosed spaces even with ventilation, though. Just head to a smoking area near you and leave the restroom alone.

8) Report Any Damage Or Issues.

When you notice a leak or a faulty faucet, don’t just ignore it. It’s better for everyone in the office if the problem was reported as soon as possible to the management, just so that repairs can be scheduled as soon as possible.

Conclusion

It’s vital to be considerate of other people as you use the restroom in hopes that they’ll be as respectful of your space too. By sticking to these eight rules, everyone using the office bathroom will be having a better experience overall.

In need of some office cleaning? Say Clean Commercial Cleaning can provide its services to office spaces and bathrooms in Orange County, CA. Get in touch with us today!