Provision of adequate toilet facilities
It is a legal requirement for public toilets to be equipped with basic toilet amenities such as toilet paper, liquid soap, hand dryers (or paper towels), and litter bins. Owners should ensure the following:
- Provision of an adequate supply of liquid soap and paper towels (if provided for) at all times.
- Provision of an adequate supply of toilet paper in each cubicle.
- Provision of sufficient litter bins inside toilets.
- Provision of an adequate number of hand dryers as close to the basins as possible.
- Provision of a sanitary disposal bin in each female toilet cubicle.
- That toilets are well-ventilated. Any mechanical ventilation system used should be cleaned and serviced regularly.
- Owners are also encouraged to also provide air deodorisers and sanitisers for toilet and urinal bowls.
Proper cleaning and maintenance of public toilets
Owners of public toilets should have a proper schedule for toilet maintenance. Owners must carry out the following maintenance activities on a regular basis:
- Ensure all toilet facilities are in good working order.
- Keep toilets clean, and the floor dry, at all times.
- Clean and sanitise toilet bowls, urinals, and basins.
- Clean mirrors, doorknobs, and any other surfaces where there is contact with toilet users.
- Spot-clean walls, ledges, vents, and partitions where dirty.
- Check for leaks in sanitary pipes, especially at the joints. Any leaks or defects should be rectified immediately.
- Use an inspection card to monitor the daily maintenance of the toilet.
- Schedule more frequent cleaning during peak hours
Recommendations on frequency of cleaning:
Owners of public toilets of the following premises are recommended to adopt the toilet cleaning frequencies stipulated below.
| Premises Type | Frequency of cleaning |
| Light industry building | Once or twice a day |
| Condominium | Twice a day and increase to four times a day on weekends |
| Office building | Four to five times a day |
| Hotel | Six times a day |
| Shopping centre | Six to eight times a day |
| Hawker centre and Coffeeshop | One- to two-hourly cleaning during non-peak hours, every half-hour cleaning during peak hours |
Recommendations of frequency of cleaning for the various surfaces, wares and fittings:
| Item | Activity | Frequency |
|---|
| Floor | Machine scrub to ensure removal of dirt from grouting | Fortnightly |
| Walls | Hand scrub to ensure removal of dirt from grouting | Monthly |
| Bins | Hand scrub to ensure removal of dirt from grouting | Fortnightly |
| Basins | Scrub with scrubbing pad to remove stubborn stains | Weekly |
| Bowls / urinals | Scrub with scrubbing pad to remove stubborn stains
Scrub beneath rim to ensure removal of yellow stains | Weekly |
| Soap dispensers | Dismantle and check / clear chokes | Weekly |
| Exhaust fans | Wipe clean to remove dust | Weekly |
Recommended equipment and supplies for cleaners
- Service tray or cart
- Premixed glass cleaner (with spray bottle)
- Premixed disinfectant cleaner (with spray bottle)
- Disinfectant cleaner concentrate
- Scouring powder
- Stainless steel cleaner (if necessary)
- Toilet bowl swab and container
- Putty knife
- Broom
- Dust-pan corner brush
- Mop / bucket / wringer
- Signs displaying 'wet floor' and 'closed for cleaning'
- Duster (feather / lamb's wool)
- Clean cloth
- Paper towels / toilet paper / soap
Recommended cleaning agents for different surfaces
| Wall / floor (ceramic, granite and marble tiles) | Use neutral-based cleaners or disinfectants. Do not use acid-based cleaner on marble |
Glass / mirror
Neutral cleaners can also be used | Use ammonia- or neutral-based cleaners |
| Sanitary wares | Use disinfectant cleaners |
| Stainless steel / chrome | Use stainless steel / chrome polish |
| Plastic / PVC | Use neutral-based cleaners |
| Toilet bowls | Use disinfectant or mild abrasive liquid cleaners |
Other notes
Toilet cleaners and supervisors are strongly encouraged to attend and pass the respective WSQ courses as follows:
- Cleaners: “Performs basic cleaning of washrooms” under the WSQ Certificate in Environmental Cleaning
- Supervisors: “Perform advanced cleaning of washrooms” under the WSQ Higher Certificate in Environmental Cleaning
Alternatively, toilet cleaners and supervisors may consider attending RAS’s on-site training programme on restroom cleaning which provides a practical training programme for in-house cleaners who are not trained in cleaning. For more information, please visit RAS’s website: https://www.toilet.org.sg/on-site-training
Information on the Environmental Cleaning WSQ is available here.
- Display educational posters or stickers encouraging users to adopt good toilet habits while using public toilets. Educational materials are available at NEA, or request for the materials online here.
- For more information on public toilet design and maintenance, please refer to 'A Guide to Better Public Toilet Design and Maintenance'.