Advisory to Owners of Public Toilets

The National Environment Agency (NEA) advises all public toilet owners to keep their toilets clean, and to ensure that adequate toilet facilities are provided. This will help encourage proper use by the public and promote good public health.

Signage on cleaning schedule

Public toilet operators/owners may wish to adapt a similar signage to the one proposed below.

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.

Recommendations of frequency of cleaning for the various surfaces, wares and fittings: 

Recommended equipment and supplies for cleaners

1. Service tray or cart
2. Premixed glass cleaner (with spray bottle)
3. Premixed disinfectant cleaner (with spray bottle)
4. Disinfectant cleaner concentrate
5. Scouring powder
6. Stainless steel cleaner (if necessary)
7. Toilet bowl swab and container
8. Putty knife
9. Broom
10. Dust-pan corner brush
11. Mop / bucket / wringer
12. Signs displaying 'wet floor' and 'closed for cleaning'
13. Duster (feather / lamb's wool)
14. Clean cloth
15. Paper towels / toilet paper / soap

Recommended cleaning agents for different surfaces

Circulars

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'.