Your Complete Restaurant Sanitation Checklist

Sanitizing a restaurant is almost as important as producing safe and delicious food, especially during cold and flu season. The cleaning process can be a very lengthy one, and the task seems to compound when a virus is going through the community. However, the process is completely worth it when a food service business can stay open; this restaurant sanitation checklist can aid in the process and keep a restaurant safe, clean, and ready to serve.   

Restaurant Cleaning Tips

  • Consider automated cleaning products, such as the Hydra Rinse system for ice cream machines, which can make cleaning easier and faster.
  • Always make sure the cleaning staff is equipped with proper personal protection equipment during the cleaning process.
  • Follow manufacturer instructions when cleaning commercial equipment to ensure that the equipment still works properly.
  • When purchasing new commercial equipment, look for equipment with automated cleaning processes. If one is not available, ask a commercial equipment professional about equipment maintenance and cleaning procedures.
  • Establish easy-to-follow cleaning procedures and carefully train staff to properly clean the kitchen, back area, registers, drive-thru, restroom, and seating areas.
  • Post checklists that can be easily accessed by staff during cleaning times and at closing.
  • When there is a virus outbreak, carefully follow procedures set forth by the Center for Disease Control.

Restaurant Sanitation Checklist

Kitchen/Prep Area Cleaning

___ Wash walls (especially where the walls get sprayed or splattered).

___ Disinfect prep surfaces.

___ Clean commercial ovens, holding cabinets, ice cream machines, fryers, and other machines.

___ Disinfect all commercial equipment handles (such as refrigerator handles, oven knobs, appliance handles, etc.)

___ Wash meat slicers and wipe down appliances (such as coffee makers, toasters, etc.)

___ Clean beverage dispensers and remove parts for washing.

___ Wash dishes and equipment parts.

___ Sanitize handwashing station and sink and refill supplies.

___ Launder aprons, rags, and other linens.

___ Vacuum mats and rugs.

___ Sweep and mop the floor.

___ Disinfect door knobs.

___ Take out trash and disinfect trash cans.

Office Sanitation

___ Disinfect chairs, safe handles, desks.

___ Sweep and mop the floor.

___ Take out trash and disinfect trash cans.

___ Vacuum mats and rugs.

___ Disinfect door knobs.

Register/Drive Thru Cleaning

___ Disinfect countertops and carts.

___ Sanitize registers and trays.

___ Disinfect drive thru window and all surfaces touched by employees and customers.

___ Launder aprons, rags, and other linens.

___ Sweep and mop the floor.

___ Vacuum mats and rugs.

___ Take out trash and disinfect trash cans.

Seating Areas

___ Sanitize condiment stations and napkin holders.

___ Disinfect all tables, chairs, and benches.

___ Completely clean and sanitize buffet stations.

___ Launder aprons, rags, and other linens.

___ Vacuum mats and rugs.

___ Take out trash and disinfect trash cans.

___ Sweep and mop the floor.

___ Disinfect door knobs and push bars.

___ Clean door glass.

___ Take out trash.

Restroom Cleaning

___ Sanitize countertops.

___ Wipe down mirrors.

___ Refill supplies (i.e. paper towels, toilet paper, etc.)

___ Clean toilets.

___ Disinfect faucets, toilet, appliance, and stall door handles.

___ Wash wall and stall walls.

___ Sweep and mop the floor.

___ Vacuum mats and rugs.

___ Take out trash and disinfect trash cans.

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