A Message to the Rated:
If you find yourself on this wall of ratings and it's not as good as you'd hoped, please understand that it is not my intent to merely point the finger and go "ha, ha!" or make light of the work you do. Running a venue of any kind where the public comes into your space, or is a guest there and you are providing a customer service of some kind is tough work. There are a lot of details. It's possible with all the details that the bathrooms are not always very high on the list. I'm not saying that they should be at the top, as much as I believe they should be at least on the list, period. I believe having a system like this affords the opportunity to learn from each other and for you to also become aware of what the public sees when they go into your bathrooms. I'd like to believe that at a minimum you want that experience to enhance whatever else you are offering to the public versus raise doubts or question your processes. If it's bad, your guests will remember it. I'd think you'd rather they remember their entire experience in a positive light, not the negative one a bad bathroom can cause, wouldn't you? At the very least people shouldn't be getting sick because they used your bathroom either.
As a Consumer:
I believe that if you find a deficiency in a place where food is handled, that you should bring it first to the attention of the manager or other person in charge. If you feel that you have gotten a response that does not address your concerns than I believe you should contact the Health Department with your concerns. On the contrary, if you find that a place that has flagrant and critical safety issues occurring such as those that our local investigative reporter Russ Ptacek reports on, I would do both and do it immediately.
As a member of the community I believe this is the right thing to do to protect my neighbors. We as consumers expect businesses that handle food to do it correctly in this country, and when reality isn't meeting the law, it's time to take action and tell someone who can hold them accountable to make sure they do. After all, what you're seeing may only be the actual tip of a very big iceberg.
As a member of the community I believe this is the right thing to do to protect my neighbors. We as consumers expect businesses that handle food to do it correctly in this country, and when reality isn't meeting the law, it's time to take action and tell someone who can hold them accountable to make sure they do. After all, what you're seeing may only be the actual tip of a very big iceberg.
The Potty Prognoses Rating Scheme
The Gold Standard
In thinking about various settings it occurred to me that casinos seem to have some of the best bathrooms. Not that I visit a lot of casinos, but I recently I have had occasion to see them in both Las Vegas and in other states. I think this is in part because they probably have the resources to support good design and they have the volume of people using them that sort of force the issue. It would seem to me that you'd want people to feel fresh if they are going to spend a lot of time in your casino so it certainly helps if the bathroom seems as clean as your own home or cleaner. Also, having a super clean and efficient bathroom implies that the venue cares about your health. These types of venues have all the bells and whistles -- from automatic faucets, flushes and dispensers to great aesthetic and safe design, and attendants. You might even wish it was your bathroom!
The Silver Level
For most establishments, this might be the top tier of Potty Excellence. When you walk in you might think " Wow, this is nice!" They may not have the resources to have all the bells and whistles, but they do a nice job of supplying the facilities with what is needed and maintaining them well. You might only rarely encounter a plumbing problem or a supply problem in these facilities. They are set up to support quick, safe, and efficient use. Using them does not make you feel uncomfortable.
The Average Joe
This is your basic public bathroom. It has all the standard elements one needs when using the bathroom. It would be unusual to see issues with plumbing. It would also be unusual to be short on supplies or for the area to be overtly dirty. When using these facilities you generally feel comfortable.
Not Quite Up to Par
Okay so in this bathroom, you might not feel impending death or diseases coming on, but you're not quite comfortable either. There are obvious issues with things in the bathroom like leaking toilets, or plungers left in plain sight. Or perhaps there aren't enough paper towels or soap to use, but there is running water. Or, maybe there are some maintenance issues in the bathroom like trash overflowing, TP on the floor, or general dishevelment in the bathroom. Either way you're not entirely comfortable, but you'll use the facilities anyhow.
"Danger Will Robinson, Danger!"
These are the bathrooms that hopefully most of us have never encountered, but those we might have to use as a last resort if we are that desperate. There is a substantial perceived risk to using this particular bathroom, but there may be no choice. There may be broken plumbing, barely enough or not enough supplies to qualify this bathroom as a "working" bathroom. One of the only benefits you might think of with this bathroom is that it is inside vs. outside such as an outhouse.
Potty Ratings
The Venetian Casino, Las Vegas
Visited 9 December 2012 - Spotless- Everything automatic! Still looks new. Attendants on top of everything.
Maryland Live Casino
Visited 26 December 2012 - Spotless! Plenty of supplies, Attendants very pleasant. Beautiful and functional. Potty Excellence!!
Ourisman Chevrolet Buick GMC - Alexandria, VA
Visited 7 January 2013 - This bathroom was very clean overall. I noticed they even had two types of soap dispensers automatic and manual - one foam and one liquid soap-- and they both worked. Not sure why they have both, but okay. The tile also looked really clean, no evidence of any problems current or past. The floor could use some tweaking, but nothing overt. Plenty of supplies, and good lighting rounded out the kudos of this bathroom. At this point I would place in the Silver Standard category because of all of the above, but also because they have at least one automatic dispenser.
Washington, D.C. - Medium Rare - Restaurant
Visited 15 January 2013 -- C'est magnifique from the food, to the service, to the potty! Given the ambience of the restaurant and the decor, I had high hopes for this one, and was not disappointed! This bathroom literally shined. Every overt surface appeared clean. I did not spot one TP piece out of place. When I pulled down the baby changing station it had a little evidence of use, but nothing serious. The only reason they did not rate a 5 star is due to having only two items as automatic. Both the faucet and the flush were manual. However, they did have the trash by the door which affords the opportunity to use a paper towel on the doorknob. What's entertaining is the french language primer you get while in the potty too. It's actually a lot of fun and will bring a smile to your face. Felicitations Medium Rare for attaining potty excellence! This is rare accomplishment in my experience!
Gaithersburg, MD - Restaurant
Visited 27 December 2012 - Aesthetically, it's really nice. It's got great tiles and color, but it's just an average bathroom when you look at it a little more critically. There are no automatic faucets or dispensers which means you have to touch them to operate. There are no automatic flushes, so it's either your foot or hand to flush. There's no trash by the door, although the door isn't far from the sink so you could try to toss it in the hole between the sinks, but you risk contaminating other things or leaving a mess if you miss. With a little effort and a few changes, this bathroom could become a 4-star.
Wheaton, MD - Retailer
Visited 11 January 2013 - I've been in bathrooms of these big retailers before and not been impressed.
Issues:
Issues:
- Dirt on the air vent
- No easy access to a soap dispenser for the handicapped accessible sink. They could have adjusted placement of the one on the adjacent sink or gotten a separate one.
- Prefer all automatic sinks and dispensers
- Well maintained, not overflowing trash or TP all over the place.
- Everything in working order
- Good solution for the broken lock on one of the stalls. No paper stuffed in the hole to so people can't peek in like most places. Instead they did a professional job.
- Well laid out so that you can get around the bathroom even with multiple people there.
Hanover, MD -
Visited 28 December 2012; Apparently there were some plumbing issues. Water leaked into a total of 3 stalls in bathroom. Plunger left out in open. Generally appears old, and a bit worn looking. Concrete floor could use some sprucing up too. But there were kudos too... They've apparently implemented 2 out of 3 sinks with automatic faucets. They also have a trash can by the door so you you can use a paper towel to open it and then toss it. There were plenty of supplies and trash was not overflowing. If not for the plumbing issue, this might have rated a 3 star.
Silver Spring, MD -Restaurant
Visited 5 January 2013-- It pains me to put this bathroom at this rating. The food was so outstanding that I was really hoping that the bathroom would be great too. When I first went in, I noticed the floor to ceiling marble tiles. They are really beautiful tiles overall, and at first it really dresses up the bathroom. Then I began to look around.
Issues:
Issues:
- Only light source in bathroom was a CFC bulb in a light socket in the middle of the ceiling. I didn't see it until I saw the reflection in the tile.
- Broken room deodorant dispenser on wall.
- Mold(?) or blackened tile grout on floor and up some of the walls. Also around toilet, drain, and by the sink. This gives the floor a dingy look as well as being a potential danger to those with a sensitivity to molds.
- There was an attempt to clean the bathroom as I could see obvious streaks on the tiles where the cleanser was applied.
- Aesthetically, there could be some fine tuning with some of the design choices that would give a better overall impression to the guest using the bathroom.
- Automatic paper towel dispenser.
- Bathroom was very tidy except for the blackened grout.
- No odors noted.
- The floor grout needs work ASAP! If the blackened tile grout does contain bacteria or molds, your guests may be tracking this throughout the restaurant too!
- Take down the broken dispenser.
- Find a lighting solution for the light bulb. The reflection off the tile is rather bright and for people who are naturally sensitive to the light (like those with migraines) this could be problematic. Some sort of cover that would diffuse the light might be helpful.
- Aesthetically (and really probably lowest priority in relation to the above) consider getting two black trash cans. One by the toilet and one under the soap dispenser. Preferably the one by the toilet with a lid. The one under the soap dispenser would allow people to use a paper towel on the doorknob and catch the soap that seems to leak from the dispenser. I only noticed this when I looked at the floor and saw soap residue. Also, you might consider painting the inside of the door a different color than the green, perhaps a warmer toned color such as a deep red. This would go nicely with the tile and really play it up.
- Lastly, if once you have the grout taken care of if you notice that the tile is polished, this could be slippery when wet and cause falls. You might want to consider purchasing a floor mat with a no slip backing to minimize this hazard or another solution . I mention this because this appears to be an ADA equipped bathroom.
Addendum:
I contacted the restaurant by email. They were very responsive to my suggestions and invited me to come back. Think we'll take them up on it!
Silver Spring, MD - Restaurant
Visited 9 January 2013 - While the sink and toilet appeared clean, the rest of the room left a lot to be desired. We occasionally order delivery from this restaurant and occasionally go here. The food is usually very good and so it's disappointing that the bathroom is in such a condition.
Issues:
This bathroom needs attention now! I'm not expecting that all the tile be replaced -- that's a big expense for a small restaurant. However, keeping it clean is not. Replacing the toilet seat and door are relatively small improvements as well. Storing the plunger elsewhere should be common sense. If the staff are using this bathroom I have to really wonder how clean their hands are.
Issues:
- The "vented" bathroom door.
- The broken toilet seat
- Obvious minor repairs
- Plunger in the bathroom (Can't say I've ever seen one with a 3 ft handle--how long to do you real need it?! )
- The vanity is dirty .
- The trash can is dirty.
- Floors look grimy.
- Manual faucets, soap dispenser and paper towel dispenser.
- Dirty/rusty switch plate.
- Lights not working.
- The door lock isn't reliable. There is no door plate for the door knob so you have to be sure to pull the door shut snugly. Yes, I unfortunately discovered this through experience. Ugh!
- The sink and toilet look clean
- Automatic hand dryer -- but it doesn't seem to give a lot of air.
- Enough paper towels and TP
This bathroom needs attention now! I'm not expecting that all the tile be replaced -- that's a big expense for a small restaurant. However, keeping it clean is not. Replacing the toilet seat and door are relatively small improvements as well. Storing the plunger elsewhere should be common sense. If the staff are using this bathroom I have to really wonder how clean their hands are.
Wheaton, MD - Restaurant
Visited 11 January 2013 -
Issues:
What was a tad disturbing was that I walked in when a staff member was replacing the paper towels, but did nothing to address the other obvious issues that were present. It wouldn't take much to whip this bathroom into shape!
Issues:
- Floor grungy and frankly dirty in certain areas
- Soap dispenser allows soap from previous user to remain -- potential vector for contamination.
- Bathroom generally appears unclean -- away from the sink. Toilet not flushed, TP on floors, etc.
- Air freshener empty and open
- The sink area was clean
What was a tad disturbing was that I walked in when a staff member was replacing the paper towels, but did nothing to address the other obvious issues that were present. It wouldn't take much to whip this bathroom into shape!
Rockville, MD - Grocery Store
Visited 14 January 2013-
Issues -
Issues -
- Plumbing and maintenance tools in stall
- Hole in wall behind toilet
- Nasty looking adhesive or gum on toilet (can be a vector for bacteria)
- Unkempt baby changing station
- Wet floor around toilet and black stuff around toilet (Not sure if toilet was leaking or not)
- Soap dispensers broken
- Manual faucets
- Manual paper towel dispenser - at first no paper towels evident then figured out how to get them to come out
- Contrary to whomever said it was a good choice -- the tiles make the bathroom look dirty. There's just enough overt dirt there that it makes it look worse.
- Trash by the door
Kensington, MD - Restaurant
Visited 8 January 2013 - I'm debating about this one.
There were several issues:
I was simply appalled at overall dingy/dirty appearance of the bathroom, and the graffiti in the stall. It struck me as worse than the bathroom noted above. I'm not sure the pictures will do justice, but I definitely wanted my hand sanitizer when I left. Also, this is a popular restaurant and if the bathrooms are like this, I'm wondering what the condition of the kitchen is! Plus, my stomach isn't feeling so hot right now -- Oy!
Rumor is that this place will be getting demolished with a new housing development along with a lot of other businesses some time this year. Perhaps this has something to do with the situation? Don't know, but it is inexcusable in my book.
There were several issues:
- Poor lighting overall (I suspect it was to cover up some of the issues)
- Stalls looked worn with obvious disrepair
- Broken stall door (almost couldn't get out!)
- No hooks on the doors for my bag and I really didn't want it on that floor.
- Graffiti in the stall (very pornographic in nature)
- Obvious dirt on the floor (aside from rustic appearance of the tiles)
- Drain was plain gross
- Overtly dirty sinks
- Wallpaper falling off wall
- Paper towel dispenser only automatic item.
- Non-commercial hand soap (not really sure I'd call this an issue except that it didn't seem like enough to clean your hands in the filthy sink and, it was a manual pump)
- Trash by the door
- Enough paper towels and TP
I was simply appalled at overall dingy/dirty appearance of the bathroom, and the graffiti in the stall. It struck me as worse than the bathroom noted above. I'm not sure the pictures will do justice, but I definitely wanted my hand sanitizer when I left. Also, this is a popular restaurant and if the bathrooms are like this, I'm wondering what the condition of the kitchen is! Plus, my stomach isn't feeling so hot right now -- Oy!
Rumor is that this place will be getting demolished with a new housing development along with a lot of other businesses some time this year. Perhaps this has something to do with the situation? Don't know, but it is inexcusable in my book.