Restaurant Cleaning Tips & Commercial Furniture Maintenance Guide

Cleaning restaurant furniture and kitchen utensils makes them more attractive in addition to lengthening their lifespan. But organization is perhaps one of the most important aspects in restaurant kitchen cleaning. The restaurant kitchen, or often referred to as the back of the house, comprises of various stations ranging from the salad station, dessert station, sauté station, fish station, to meat station. It is the central command of any dining establishment. Depending on the restaurant’s style and size, some may have more stations or as few as four. The more stations you have, the more kitchen utensils you will need and the more time you will spend cleaning them. Grime builds up in appliances such as burners, grills, ovens, refrigerators and freezers. Sanitizing all work surfaces, especially where food is prepared can prevent such problems from occurring.

Unless you consider mice, rats, maggots, ants, and other types of vermin to be part of your clientele base (at the risk of losing customers and eventually having your restaurant shut down), employing pest control is essential. Restaurants are susceptible to infestation because of the abundance of readily obtainable food they use thus attracting a certain group of unwelcome guests. What’s worse, these creatures as well as the “tips” they leave behind (droppings) can lead to severe illnesses and even death among the operational staff and patrons alike. Keeping both the kitchen and dining space tidy, storing food accordingly, and recognizing the signs of infestation as soon as possible are preventative measure to keeping these pests at bay. A reliable and competent exterminator can resolve this disgusting inconvenience.

In terms of vulnerability to scratches, stains, muck, and other pollutants, wood chairs don’t differ from metal chairs. While commercial grade furniture of any kind is designed to meet the rigorous demands in the food industry, damages are likely to occur. Effective cleaning tips and equipment can salvage your furniture if used regularly and when necessary.

Methods in commercial furniture cleaning vary. For instance, cleaning wood table tops may require different cleaning equipment than cleaning laminate table tops. The most basic and possibly the best way to clean wood furniture with are:

• Commercial wood cleaner
• Dish detergent
• Trisodium phosphate

The method you select, however, depends on your priorities, the nature of the damage, and the restaurant furniture itself. Keep in mind that water is the enemy of wood as it can cause discoloration, warping and swelling when applied to (bare) wood. Water can also loosen certain glues and separation of veneers from the base wood. For these reasons, soaking copious amounts of detergent and water solution is not recommended.

Laminate tables, on the other hand, especially Formica are more forgiving towards water. A soft cloth or a sponge along with a dollop of mild dish soap can go a long way. Window cleaner or plain white vinegar can get the job done as well. While Formica is typically stain-resistant, it’s best to clean up messes and spills immediately. Like other laminates and even wood, however, Formica doesn’t bode well with abrasive cleaners. Cleaners with high acid content or other heavy solvents can damage the plastic coating of the table tops.

If you have upholstered furniture, vacuuming it is the easiest way to keep it clean. Crumbs and dust often get caught in the cracks and crevices in between the fabrics. Water based cleaners can reduce stain damages. White vinegar mixed in with a few pinches of baking soda can minimize odors. As reiterated, metal restaurant furniture collects debris and grime just like any other furniture but has an added risk of developing rust if not well maintained. Whether your metal commercial furniture is used for indoors or as patio seating, a regular cleaning schedule can prove to be beneficial. Spotting and treating rusted over areas is an integral part of learning how to clean metal chairs and bar stools. The cleaning should take place outside to limit messes. A nylon scrub brush or a toothbrush with warm water and a few drops of dish washing soap can make the process effortless. Waxing can erase scratch marks as well.

If and when all else fails and the concerns about restaurant sanitation remain, you may want to opt for cleaning help. While fees are certain for services, they can dramatically vary depending on how often they are needed. Upon initial visit from the cleaning staff, owners should discuss duties and clarify their expectations. Open communication is critical for obtaining satisfactory results, especially when you decide to invest in a cleaning service.