Just Ask - Clean tiolet in Singapore

Hi Nikka

Glad that you visit Singapore, like saying goes "Rome was not build in one day" it was ongoing massive campaign and public awareness by the government NEA (National Environment Authority) that enforce the cleaniness of the public CR looking into processes, lapse,feedback,training of personnel and also advisory to Owners Of Public Toilets, even the different types of cleaning agent .

They also encourage proper usage and promote good public health,  enforced and advise all public toilet owners to keep their public toilets clean and to ensure adequate toilet facilities are provided at all times like 
Provision of Adequate Toilet Facilities
It is a legal requirement for public toilets to be provided with the basic toilet amenities, namely toilet paper, liquid soap, hand dryer (or paper towels) and litter bin. Owners should therefore ensure the following:

• Provide adequate supply of liquid soap and paper towels (if provided for) at all times
• Provide adequate supply of toilet paper in each cubicle
• Provide sufficient litter bins inside toilets
• Provide adequate numbers of hand-dryers as close to the wash hand basins as possible
• Provide a sanitary disposal bin in each female toilet cubicle
• Keep toilets well-ventilated. Any mechanical ventilation system used should be cleaned and serviced regularly

Owners are encouraged to also provide air deodorizers and sanitizers for toilet and urinal bowls. 

Proper Cleaning/ Maintenance of Public Toilets
In Singapore public toilets have a proper schedule for maintenance of their public toilets. They are therefore expected to carry out the following:

• Check to ensure all toilet facilities are in good working order
• Keep toilets clean and the floor dry at all times
• Clean and sanitize toilet bowls, urinals and wash hand basins
• Clean mirrors, door-knobs and any other surfaces where there is contact with users
• Spot-clean walls, ledges, vents and partitions where dirty
• Check for any leakage in the 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. See recommendations below on the frequency of cleaning:

Frequency of Cleaning

Light Industry Building	once or twice a day
Condominium	twice a day and increase to 4 times a day during weekend
Office Building	4 to 5 times a day
Hotel	6 times a day
Shopping Centre	6 to 8 times a day
Hawker Centre	1 to 2 houely cleaning during non peak hours every 1/2 hour cleaning during peak hours

• See recommendations below on the frequency of cleaning for the various surfaces, wares and fittings.

Periodic Cleaning Schedule

Item	Activity	Frequency
Floor	Machine scrub to ensure removal of soil from grouting	Fortnightly
Walls	Hand scrub to ensure removal of soil from grouting	Monthly
Bins	Hand scrub to ensure removal of soil 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

• To carry out proper toilet maintenance, NEA recommendations below on the equipment cleaners should have:

Equipment And Supplies List For Cleaners

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

Cleaning Agents For Different Finishes

1) Wall / Floor (ceramic, granite and marble tiles	Use neutral-based cleaners or disinfectants. Do not use acid-based cleaner on marble
2) Glass / Mirror     Neutral cleaners can also be used	Use ammonia- or neutral-based cleaners
3) Sanitary Wares	Use disinfectant cleaners
4) Stainless Steel / Chrome	Use stainless steel / chrome polish
5) Plastic / PVC	Use neutal-based cleaners
6) Toilet Bowls	Use disinfectant or mild abrasive liquid cleaners

The list goes on, so when visitor visit Singapore they will have a lasting impression  for Singapore as a beautiful, clean, green, well-maintained  FINE city-state. Hopefully, that they will come back for more. In fact  most of the Philippine CR are well maintained only some

I extract an article posted by the Monash crew as follows:-

The idea of home is very fluid nowadays. One of the many ways to identify a home is where toilet tissues unroll endlessly and clean water gush out in places where we expect. Thus, the entire washroom experience can be enjoyed no matter while we sit, squat, stand or fidget.

However, in Baguio and Sagada, a 30 seconds relief may end up as a great struggle ranging from one minute to four minutes and 17 seconds. Several days in these two tourist hot spots has allowed me to gain an insight to the total level of enjoyment by the standard of their toilets, known as comfort rooms (CR) in the Philippines.

Departing from Clarke Airport, the public toilet on the way to Baguio is classified as One Star. It is simply a drainage system which allows faeces to pile up as time goes by. Doors are non-existent and during the process of urination, it is better to stare at your own knees or arms.

Two Star Comfort Rooms are slightly better. These are either without doors, without flushes, or crammed units. Our visit to the University of Philippines Baguio couldn’t have been complete without a toilet inspection. Upon entering the cubicle, there was only enough space to make a 180 degrees turn and do it. Very much like most comfort rooms in Baguio and Sagada, water doesn’t come with just one push or nudge. A bucket is used to scoop water manually. Sometimes it requires more than one or two scoops to get the water as clear as when you entered.


One thing is particularly evident for toilets in Sagada. The windows are positioned very close to the toilet seat. At the St Joseph Guesthouse restaurant toilet, the same leveled window is next to the toilet seat. I kept my head low and dare not swing my head too much in case someone caught my unintended attention. However, this is considered Three Star due to the fully covered doors and more often than not, the functioning flushes. At the cottage I stayed in, there was no toilet seat so I resorted to the numbing coldness that took over during every toilet visit.

Nevertheless, the Four Star toilet since I have arrived in the Philippines is undoubtedly at La Brea Inn in Baguio. With one little flush, all our wastes are drained away instantly. Toilet tissue is replenished everyday and it is possible to comfortably warm up the toilet seat while reflecting on the events which occurred earlier in the day or even week. There is no need to do the horse stand, nor fold up long pants.

I have yet to see a Six Star comfort room, but to this date, the comfort rooms at Camp John Hay Manor is rated a Five Star. As you open the door with the little stick man in a skirt, an invigorating breeze welcomes you. The tiles are cautiously arranged and the mirrors bring out sparkles in your hair. It is spacious and clean, equipped with no less than two rolls of toilet tissues. The comfort room is suitable for hanging out with your girlfriends or to exchange some quick news feeds.

I like the feeling of clean water running through my fingers and my toes. I’m aware that even a Six Star comfort room may not refresh me like the Bokong Waterfall in Sagada. Perhaps a visit in the next decade to the comfort rooms of Baguio and Sagada will exceed my expectations so you never know…

You never know what lies behind closed doors.

By Mindy
Posted by Monash Crew