Leisure Washroom Maintenance: Best Practices for High-Traffic Leisure Facilities

Why Clean Leisure Centre Washrooms Matter

Effective leisure washroom maintenance is about more than just customer safety — it's essential for enhancing user satisfaction, protecting your facility’s reputation, and ensuring long-term hygiene.

Common Challenges of High-Traffic Washrooms

Washrooms and changing rooms in leisure centres face unique maintenance challenges, including:

  • High volumes of users throughout the day
  • Wet and humid conditions from showers, pools, and gyms, which encourage bacterial growth
  • Rapid wear and tear on fixtures and fittings, again from the high footfall

Neglecting these challenges and improperly cleaning your facilities can lead to hygiene risks, negative reviews, and even a decrease in customer retention if the issues persist.

Best Materials for Easy-to-Maintain Leisure Washrooms

Choosing the right materials is a crucial first step for maintaining hygiene standards with less effort.

Certain finishes and surfaces are more resistant to moisture, stains, and wear, making them ideal for high-traffic washrooms.

Characteristics of easy-to-maintain materials include:

  • Water-resistant and non-porous surfaces
  • Anti-corrosive fixtures and fittings
  • Durable against cleaning agents and daily use
  • Resistant to bacteria, mould, and mildew build-up
  • Easy to wipe down quickly during busy periods

At TBS Amwell, we supply solid grade laminate for most leisure projects. It's one of the most suitable materials for these environments—water-resistant, easy to clean, and built to withstand the demands of busy, humid settings.

Discover our wide range of finishes today by ordering samples.

Effective Cleaning Practices for Leisure Centres

1. Structured Cleaning Schedules

A proactive cleaning schedule ensures hygiene standards are consistently maintained throughout the day. High-traffic washrooms require frequent checks and cleaning to manage hygiene effectively.

Recommended routine for busy leisure environments:

Frequency

Tasks

Hourly (Peak Times)
  • Spot Checks
  • Wipe down high-touch surfaces (handles, taps, benches)
  • Restock consumables (soap, paper towels)

Daily
  • Full deep clean of all washroom and changing areas
  • Disinfect all surfaces
  • Empty and sanitise bins

Weekly / Biweekly
  • Maintenance audit (check for wear, leaks, fixture damage)
  • Deep clean hard-to-reach areas (behind lockers, under benches)
  • Replenish stock and review supplies inventory

2. Staff Training and Accountability

Well-trained cleaning staff are essential to maintaining high hygiene standards. Training should cover:

  • Appropriate use of cleaning products
  • Correct techniques for different surface types (wet and dry areas)
  • Adherence to COSHH and health and safety regulations

Clear accountability and visible cleaning records will reassure visitors and support hygiene compliance.

Design Tips for Easier Washroom Maintenance

The physical design of a leisure washroom can either simplify or complicate cleaning routines. Smart design choices lead to better hygiene outcomes and less time spent on upkeep maintenance.

Helpful design considerations include:

If you’re exploring the idea of refurbishing your washroom, you should consider the following:

  • Clear separation between wet and dry zones
  • A bespoke layout, which takes advantage of your individual space
  • Accessible changing rooms for physically impaired customers
  • Smooth, easy-to-wipe surfaces and materials

Such features help prevent dirt build-up and support efficient cleaning schedules.

Conclusion: Hygiene is Your Competitive Advantage

High standards of cleanliness are not just a necessity — they're a competitive edge. By combining smart layout, durable materials, and consistent cleaning routines, your leisure facility can provide a safer, more welcoming environment for all users.

For leisure organisations seeking to improve their washroom standards, considering these best practices will help deliver cleaner, safer, and more inviting facilities.

Although TBS Amwell cannot assist with direct cleaning routines, we do offer market-leading washroom and changing room solutions that are designed to help you keep your leisure centre clean and tidy for years to come!

We have a range of articles on this if you’d like to find out more, which you can find here. Alternatively, if you’re interested in finding out more about our products, explore our Sports and Leisure Sector Page.

Additional FAQs:

What are the best practices for leisure washroom maintenance?

By following structured cleaning routines, choosing easy-to-clean materials, and using modern cleaning technologies to support hygiene efforts.

What materials are best for cleaning leisure washrooms?

Materials that are water-resistant, non-porous, and durable are ideal. These include moisture-resistant surfaces and antibacterial finishes that withstand heavy use and cleaning.

How often should high-traffic washrooms be cleaned?

Hourly checks during busy periods, daily deep cleans, and weekly audits help maintain hygiene in high-traffic leisure facilities.

What are common hygiene risks in leisure washrooms?

Risks include bacteria on high-touch surfaces, mould from moisture build-up, and slips due to poor drainage in wet areas.