As many cleaning professionals already know, cleaning restroom fixtures using the proper products is important. But what is equally critical is knowing how to clean these fixtures. 

Klaus Reichardt, CEO of Waterless Co., offers the following steps, which he calls "the fine art of urinal maintenance:"

    • Place safety cones at the restroom entry and in front of the urinals; along with promoting safety, this alerts patrons that the restroom is temporarily out of service.
    • Wear gloves at all times per OSHA requirements.
    • Start by cleaning the walls; spray an all-purpose cleaner on a microfiber cloth, then wipe clean the wall above the urinal, the walls on either side of the urinal, and finally the wall below the urinal.
    • Using a fresh cleaning cloth and disinfectant, wipe the flush valves and external plumbing below the urinal.
    • Now take the cloth and disinfectant and wipe clean the partitions between the urinals, including the sides, tops, and bottoms (where splatter can collect).
    • If the urinal employs an auto-flush system, deactivate the device.
    • Remove any screens, blocks, or debris from inside the urinal.
    • Use a bowl cleaner to clean the cavity and inside the urinal. Use a cleaner disinfectant for the sides and exterior; do not use the bowl cleaner on the exterior of the urinal.
    • Flush the urinal twice to remove all soil and chemical residue.
    • Reinstall urinal screens.
    • Wipe clean the exterior of the urinal one more time with an all-purpose cleaner
    • Reactivate the auto-flush system, if necessary.

Reichardt adds that cleaning waterless urinals is very similar. "[However] it is usually not necessary to use a bowl cleaner. Wipe clean the inside of the urinal with an all-purpose cleaner/disinfectant, soft scrub brush, or cloth. About once per week, pour some water down the waterless system. This keeps the pipes clean and the entire system odor-free."