Customer restroom supplies for small stores

Customers judge a store by its restroom more than most owners like to admit. Restroom supplies for a small store come down to a short list: toilet paper, hand soap, paper towels or a dryer, trash liners, cleaning supplies, and a few extras. Keeping them stocked and checking the restroom on a schedule tells customers you care about the whole store, not just the register.

Anyone who's cleaned a store restroom at 10 p.m. knows a good routine makes all the difference.

What should you stock?

Here's the core list.

Toilet paper, with at least one spare roll in the restroom.

Hand soap, in a dispenser that's easy to refill.

Paper towels or a hand dryer.

Trash can with liners.

Toilet seat covers, if you choose to offer them.

A small sign asking customers to report problems.

For the cleaning closet:

Toilet bowl cleaner and a brush.

Disinfecting spray or wipes.

Gloves.

Mop, bucket, and floor cleaner.

Extra trash liners.

For cleaning and store supplies, browse the store supplies category on NRS Marketplace. Check the listings for what's available.

How much should you keep on hand?

Track usage for a few weeks. Count toilet paper, paper towels, and soap refills at the start of each week, and again at the end.

Here's a hypothetical. A store goes through about 10 rolls of toilet paper and 6 packs of paper towels a week. Supplies take about 5 days to arrive. Keeping two weeks of stock, 20 rolls and 12 packs, covers delivery time plus a buffer for busy weeks.

Set a reorder point for each item. When the stock hits it, order. Tape the list inside the supply closet.

What does a good check routine look like?

Check the restroom on a schedule, not just when someone complains.

Every couple of hours during open times, or more often during busy periods, do a quick check: supplies stocked, floor dry, trash not overflowing, toilet and sink clean.

Do a full clean at least once a day, usually at closing.

Keep a simple check sheet on the back of the door with times and initials. Customers notice it, and it keeps staff on track.

Wear gloves when cleaning, and wash hands afterward.

What signs should the restroom have?

A few signs help.

A "please report any problems to the cashier" sign.

If the restroom is for customers only, a clear sign at the door.

If you serve food, rules in your area may require handwashing signs for employees. The FDA Food Code is a model code that many states base their food safety rules on. Rules vary by state, so check your state and local requirements.

For signs, labels, and markers, browse the office and school supplies category on NRS Marketplace.

How do you handle common problems?

Clogs. Keep a plunger in the restroom closet. If it doesn't clear quickly, call a plumber rather than risk a flood.

Leaks. Know where the shutoff valve is for the toilet and sink.

Empty dispensers. The fix is a routine. Check them every time you pass.

Misuse. If the restroom is being misused, you can limit access, such as keeping it locked and giving the key at the counter. Some stores find that helps.

A clean, stocked restroom is a small thing that regulars notice.

One more tip: keep a small restroom kit in the closet with a spare roll of toilet paper, a soap refill, a pack of paper towels, gloves, and a few trash liners. When a customer reports a problem during a rush, the cashier can grab one kit and fix it in two minutes instead of searching the back room.