Facility Audits: 5 Areas You’re Forgetting to Clean and Disinfect

In facility management, cleanliness is often measured by visible results — shiny floors, spotless mirrors, and a fresh scent. But real hygiene goes deeper.

Behind the polished surfaces, hidden germ reservoirs often escape daily cleaning routines, quietly undermining your infection control efforts. A facility audit helps uncover these blind spots — shifting your focus from what gets cleaned to how completely every touchpoint is sanitized.

Here are five commonly overlooked areas that could be compromising your facility’s hygiene — and how Golden Group International (GGI) helps you clean smarter, not harder.

1. Menstrual Care Receptacles and Disposal Areas

Floors and toilets get attention — but menstrual care receptacles often don’t. These bins and dispensers are high-touch surfaces, and their exteriors (lids, handles, and buttons) harbor bacteria from constant contact.

Even the interior casing deserves a thorough disinfection beyond a simple liner replacement.

GGI Tip: Use GGI disposal bags and liners to reduce contact and contamination. Clean both the inside and outside of receptacles with disinfecting wipes during every restroom service — not just when the liner is full. Small effort, major hygiene upgrade.

2. High-Contact Safety and PPE Dispenser Stations

PPE and sanitizer stations are meant to protect — but if not cleaned, they can become contamination points themselves. Buttons, levers, and rims on mask, glove, and sanitizer dispensers are frequently touched yet rarely disinfected.

GGI Tip: Add dispenser exteriors and safety station surfaces to your daily checklist. Use an industrial-grade disinfectant, such as those powered by Goldshield® antimicrobial technology, for long-lasting protection. Always dry surfaces before restocking PPE to ensure smooth operation.

3. Waste & Recycling Bin Exteriors

Emptying bins and replacing liners isn’t enough. The exterior surfaces, rims, and handles of waste and recycling receptacles are touched constantly — and often ignored.

GGI Tip: After changing bags and liners, wipe down every Glaro® receptacle with a multi-surface disinfectant and a microfiber towel. Pay attention to the base, where mop water and debris collect. Clean bins look better and prevent cross-contamination.

4. Hard-to-Reach Washroom Areas

Restrooms hide more germs than you think. Commonly missed spots include:

• The back of toilets
• Undersides of sinks and counters
• Edges of floor mats
• Top of stall partitions

These areas trap residue and odor-causing bacteria that regular cleaning tools can’t reach.

GGI Tip: Use SPHERGO® Surface Cleaning Systems and Microworks® Microfiber cloths to tackle tough corners. Pair with targeted toilet care products and seat sanitizers to eliminate hidden grime and lingering odors.

5. Personal Item Contact Points

Not every hotspot belongs to the facility — sometimes it’s where people place their own items. Think:

• Armrests in waiting rooms
• Reception counters and breakroom ledges
• Key drop boxes and security lock boxes
• Baby changing station interiors

These surfaces collect bacteria from phones, bags, and hands throughout the day.

GGI Tip: Keep disinfecting wipes and sprays readily available for staff and visitors. For baby changing stations, pair Incontinence Disposal Bags with a quick disinfectant wipe (like Goldshield®) after each use to keep surfaces safe for the next guest.

Raise Your Facility Hygiene Standards with GGI

A spotless facility isn’t necessarily a sanitary one — true hygiene lies in the details you can’t see.

By including these five overlooked areas in your facility audit, you’ll build a cleaner, safer environment that protects everyone who enters your space.

Golden Group International, Ltd. offers a full range of hygiene and safety solutions — from American-made menstrual care systems and Glaro® receptacles to PPE stations and Goldshield® antimicrobial disinfectants — to help your cleaning team cover every corner with confidence.

Ready to Audit Smarter?

Visit the Golden Group International website to download your Facility Audit Checklist and explore our full catalog of restroom, safety, and janitorial innovations.

Contact our sales team to learn how Glaro® and Goldshield® products can integrate seamlessly into your next-level cleaning protocol.