Here at Purcho, we’ve partnered with countless restaurants, pubs, and cafes across the UK. We’ve seen new owners pour their life savings into beautiful decor and a brilliant menu, only to be let down by something seemingly simple their cleaning routine.
After a gruelling 12-hour shift, we know that deep cleaning is the last thing on anyone’s mind. But in the ultra-competitive world of hospitality, a spotless establishment isn’t just a detail – it’s everything. Your Food Standards Agency (FSA) rating is on the door for everyone to see, and in the age of online reviews, customers are your unofficial hygiene inspectors.
A sticky table or a neglected washroom can undo all the hard work your kitchen team puts in. This is our insider’s guide, built from years of experience, to help you create a bulletproof cleaning system. A system that will not only impress your customers but will have the FSA inspector ticking all the right boxes, securing you that coveted 5-star rating.
More Than a Mop: What the Inspector is Really Looking For
When an Environmental Health Officer walks in, they’re looking for evidence of a consistent, documented system. They can spot a last-minute panic-clean a mile off. What they want to see is a deep-rooted culture of cleanliness.
This comes down to three key areas:
- Safety & Compliance: Are you using the right products for the job? This means chemicals that are legally compliant for a food environment. For instance, your surface spray absolutely must be a food-safe sanitiser that meets BS EN 1276 standards. This isn’t a preference, it’s a legal requirement to kill dangerous bacteria.
- Process & Prevention: Are you preventing risks before they happen? This means having clear, colour-coded equipment to stop cross-contamination (e.g., red for toilets, blue for general areas) and a robust schedule that tackles grease build-up before it becomes a fire hazard.
- Documentation: Can you prove it? A tick-box sheet that’s signed off daily is your best friend. It shows you have a system and you stick to it.
Getting these rights is the difference between a passing grade and a glowing report.
Your Toolkit for a Flawless Finish, Curated by Purcho
Before you can execute the plan, you need the right tools. Relying on supermarket brands in a commercial setting is like trying to win a race in your family car – it just won’t cut it. Professional-grade products are more concentrated, more effective, and, when bought in bulk, far more economical.
Here’s the essential arsenal we recommend to all our hospitality partners:
- For Food Surfaces: As we mentioned, a certified food-safe sanitiser and cleaner is your workhorse. It needs to be effective and fast-acting for wiping down prep areas between tasks.
- For Greasy Battles: Your kitchen produces a huge amount of grease. For daily wipe-downs, a quality multi-purpose degreaser is fine. But for weekly deep cleans of hobs, extractors, and walls, you need a heavy-duty kitchen degreaser formulated to dissolve stubborn, baked-on grime.
- For the Toughest Job: The oven, don’t let your staff spend hours scrubbing with a scourer. A professional, caustic commercial oven cleaner does the hard work for them, breaking down carbon build-up so it can be easily wiped away.
- For a Sparkling Front of House: Your customers see everything. Streaky windows or smeary tabletops look sloppy. A top-tier professional glass and multi-surface cleaner leaves a fast-drying, streak-free finish that makes the whole place look brighter.
- For Floors That Shine: From muddy boots to dropped food, your floors take a beating. We provide a range of commercial floor cleaners, including non-slip formulas for kitchens and pleasantly scented options for dining areas.
- For Impeccable Washrooms: This is a non-negotiable. You need a powerful toilet cleaner, a descaler for taps, and a steady, reliable stock of quality washroom supplies. Running out of loo roll or hand soap is a cardinal sin in hospitality. Our range of bulk paper products ensures you never get caught short.
The Purcho Ultimate Cleaning System: The Checklists
Here it is. Print this system, laminate it, and make it the backbone of your daily operations.
Daily Tasks (The Non-Negotiables)
Front of House (FOH):
- Wipe and sanitise all tables and chairs after every use.
- Clean and sanitise condiment bottles, salt & pepper shakers, and menus.
- Sanitise high-contact points: door handles, card machines, POS screens.
- Sweep/vacuum floors before, during, and after service.
- Spot-clean any spills on upholstery or carpets immediately.
- Ensure the bar area is spotless: clean drip trays, sanitise bar tops, wipe down spirit measures.
- Carry out the full washroom check (see below) at least three times during a busy shift.
Back of House (BOH):
- Clean and sanitise all prep surfaces with a food-safe sanitiser before, during, and after service.
- Clean all cooking equipment after use: hobs, grills, flattops, microwaves.
- Wash all chopping boards, knives, and utensils in hot, soapy water and sanitise.
- Empty bins regularly to avoid overflow; wash and sanitise them at the end of the night.
- Sweep and mop floors with a degreasing commercial floor cleaner.
- Clean sinks thoroughly, removing all food debris.
- Wash all aprons, cloths, and tea towels on a hot cycle.
Weekly Tasks (The Deep Clean)
Front of House (FOH):
- Dust high surfaces: light fixtures, tops of frames, shelves.
- Wipe down all woodwork, including skirting boards, door frames, and window sills.
- Deep clean the coffee machine and milk frothers using a proper detergent. This affects taste as well as hygiene!
- Move light furniture to vacuum thoroughly underneath.
- Clean and polish all interior glass and mirrors.
Back of House (BOH):
- Deep clean the oven, hob, and grill with a heavy-duty oven cleaner and degreaser.
- Empty, clean, and sanitise all fridges and freezer seals.
- Delime sinks, taps, and the dishwasher with a descaling agent.
- Remove and deep clean all shelving and storage racks.
- Wash down walls and splashbacks, especially behind the cookline.
- Clean out floor drains to prevent blockages and odours.
Monthly Tasks (The Foundation)
Front of House (FOH):
- Wash windows inside and out.
- Deep clean carpets and upholstery.
- Inspect and clean all light fixtures and shades.
- Check for and remove cobwebs from all corners, high and low.
Back of House (BOH):
- Pull out heavy appliances to clean behind and underneath them. This is crucial for pest control.
- Empty and clean grease traps (a dirty but vital job).
- Clean and service ventilation hoods and filters as per manufacturer guidelines.
- Deep clean and sanitise all dry storage areas.
- Descale the ice machine.
The Washroom: Your Business Card
Think of your washroom as a direct reflection of your kitchen. If it’s dirty, customers will assume your kitchen is, too.
- Check Every Hour: On a busy night, a quick check is essential.
- Restock Generously: Ensure dispensers for soap, toilet roll, and hand towels are always full. Having a reliable stock of our bulk paper products makes this easy.
- Deep Clean Daily: Toilets, sinks, floors, and bins must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected every single day, without fail.
Beyond the Checklist: A Partner You Can Count On
Having a system is one thing. Having the supplies to execute it, day in and day out, is another. Running out of a critical item can throw your entire operation into chaos.
That’s where we come in. At Purcho, we see ourselves as more than just a supplier; we’re your operational partner. We ensure you get the right professional products, delivered reliably and on time. We even offer our business clients a one-month credit facility to help you manage your cash flow, allowing you to get the bulk-buy savings without the upfront cost.
A 5-star hygiene rating and glowing customer reviews are within your reach. It just takes consistency, the right tools, and a system you can stick to.
Ready to build a cleaning system you can be proud of? Explore our complete range of catering and janitorial supplies or get in touch with the Purcho team today to see how we can make stocking your business simpler.
