Janitorial Brush Buying Guide
Nothing ruins a dining out experience like messy floors, dusty windows, and dirty bathrooms. When the restaurant, café, or bar is not clean, you start to question the management, the service, and ultimately the food. If that happens, the restaurant starts losing money. Taking the time to clean properly will prevent those issues and keep customers coming back for more. Good sanitation begins with proper cleaning tools and the most important tool is the brush. This guide provides the basics of janitorial cleaning brushes to ensure your business stays in tip-top shape.
The Essentials
There is a lot more to brushes than meets the eye. There are dozens of different types of brushes, each type has a specific use, and there are different bristles for every type of job. That’s a lot to take in! The easiest place to start is a list of the basic janitorial brushes every foodservice operation needs:
Brush Type |
Use |
|---|---|
 |
For use on all surfaces to remove dust particles and boost visual appeal |
 |
For use on non-carpet floors and walls to remove grease and grime before mopping |
 |
For use on tile floors to clear heavy dirt and grime from between tiles |
 |
Placed next to stainless steel sink to promote proper hygiene when washing hands |
 |
For clearing floors of dirt and dust before scrubbing and mopping |
 |
Placed in restrooms next to the toilet to promote frequent and thorough cleaning and sanitation |
Bristle Types
There are different bristles available for different jobs. When selecting a bristle type, you'll want to keep in mind several factors, including recovery strength and softness. Recovery strength refers to a bristle's ability to retain its original shape and rigidity, even after consistent use. Bristles with good recovery strength will have a longer useful life and not break or splay out from the center of the brush. Bristle softness is a measure of how coarse bristles are to the touch. Soft bristles are ideal for delicate surfaces you wish to protect from scratches, while hard bristles are useful for cutting through tough grease and grime.
It can be overwhelming, but understanding the bristle types and their typical applications will make your decision easier and ensure that you are purchasing the proper brush for any job.
Bristle Type |
Applications |
Bristle Softness |
Easy to Clean |
Bacteria Resistant |
Heat Resistant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Floor sweeps; dusters; brushes for gentle cleaning | Very Soft | |||
| Floor sweeps; toilet brushes; floor scrubbers; all-purpose scrub brushes | Medium Soft | ||||
| Heavy floor scrubbers; all-purpose scrub brushes; counter dusters | Hard | ||||
| Grout brushes; removing heavy soil | Very Hard |
Caring for Your Brushes
Because janitorial brushes do such heavy cleaning, they require some cleaning of their own. Janitorial brushes are very durable, so cleaning and caring for them is easy. Do remember, however, that some brushes may not necessarily need cleaning. It would be terribly unsanitary to hand-wash a toilet brush, not only because of what it is used for, but also because of the chemicals it may come in contact with. The same can be said for push brooms and floor scrubbers. You don’t want them to be filthy, but these brushes do not require regular cleaning either. Grout brushes, hand and nail brushes, and general scrub brushes, on the other hand, can and should be cleaned periodically.
- Run your brush under hot water and rub bristles with dish detergent (to avoid contamination, wash janitorial brushes in a sink separate from kitchen sinks).
- Keep an eye on the base of your brush, making sure that no grime or grease remains lodged where the bristles meet the handle.
- Leave in a clean place to air dry.
Related Resources
Types of Restaurant Wipes
Whether you’re cleaning up spills, sanitizing food-contact surfaces, or dusting display counters, wipes are essential to any food service establishment. We offer different types of wipes in varying sizes and materials so you can maintain the highest standard of cleanliness.
Hiring a Cleaning Service for Your Restaurant
In today's ever-changing, dynamic foodservice culture, what was once deemed only for the elite – restaurant cleaning services – are now the norm in many restaurants, bars, and other commercial kitchens. Restaurant cleaning services cater to the restaurant industry, working with management to design a customized cleaning schedule that meets their needs without overstepping their bounds. They keep the establishment clean for customers and staff alike, and they work in virtually any area assigned to them, from back-of-the-house to front-of-the-house. Read on to learn more! Advantages and Limitations Advantages Limitations Typically work off-hours Cost Will clean as much (or as little) and as often as desired Availability of services Will take
Microfiber Cleaning Products Buying Guide
Make dirt and dust disappear by using microfiber cleaning products! Not only are they fast and easy to use, they will leave your facility spotless. With our vast selection of microfiber wet mops , dry mops , cloths , and mitts , you are bound to find just the right products to help maintain your clean facility.
- Topics 940
- Restaurant Management 78
- Bar Management 59
- Catering Tips 29
- Bakery Management 40
- Food Trucks & Concessions 54
- Advertising & Marketing 22
- Eco-Friendly Tips 9
- Facility Layout & Design 25
- Coffee Shop Tips 30
- Installation & Maintenance 22
- Janitorial & Pest Control 28
- Safety & Sanitation 57
- Startup Tips 66
- Menu Design 6
- Kitchen & Cooking Tips 41
- Hospitality Management 19
- Pizza & Sandwich Shop Tips 48
- Smallwares 36
- Food Prep 65
- Tabletop Items 18
- Disposables 19
- Calculators & Tools 6
- Consumables 23
- Warewashing & Laundry 16
- Cooking Equipment 64
- Food Storage & Refrigeration 33
- Beverage Equipment 26
- Office Supplies 1
- See More
- Resource Type 421
- In-Depth Articles 113
- Buying Guides 188
- How-Tos 73
- Product Reviews 47
Subscribe now for great deals and industry tips! Sign up for our mailing list to have weekly discounts and industry knowledge sent right to your inbox.
From Our
At WebstaurantStore we love sharing our fun! Check out some of our weekly Instagram posts! We might even have a recipe or two to share!
View Posts
Ooo-ing and ahh-ing over these perfect place settings put together by @studiocultivate featuring our palm leaf Eco plates! Stunning job! 📷 by @aliciawhitephoto #placesetting #tabletop #ecofriendly #ecofriendlyproducts
Get your taco on. #tacotuesday #tacotime #fishtacos #margaritaontheside
What are you chowing down on on this meatless Monday?
What what?? Mason jar sale?? Yes! Use coupon code JUNESAVE this month to save on our Core 16oz mason jars with handlles. And if you really need a reason to help convince you of their awesomeness and versatility, then check out our #linkinbio on ways to incorporate mason jars into your restaurant!
Based in Lancaster, PA, WebstaurantStore is the largest online restaurant supply store serving food service professionals and individual customers worldwide. With thousands of available products and over 5.5 million orders shipped, we have everything your business needs to function at its best. Over the years we have expanded our selection of wholesale supplies and commercial equipment to include healthcare, educational, and hotel supplies.
Our focus is your convenience – order online from your laptop, desktop, or smartphone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our fast shipping, low prices, and outstanding customer service make WebstaurantStore the best choice to meet all of your professional and food service supply needs.