How to Clean a Locker Room Shower

Shut down the locker room shower. A locker room shower needs to have time to dry out before proper cleaning and disinfecting can take place. Shut it down for a day and ensure that no water is used in the showers. Letting standing water dry up will remove any fluid environment that could allow for bacteria to survive, grow and spread during the cleaning. Remove any items in the shower such as towels, mats and soap or shampoo bottles, and clean them separately and away from the shower.

Clean with multiple types of cleaners. Detergent-based cleaners can be used to remove the bacteria that cause methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, which leads to swollen and reddish skin as well as deeper infections that can be life-threatening. Use cleaners that specialize in disinfecting to rid the shower of viruses that lead to influenza, rashes and other types of infection. Bleach is a good disinfectant option for cleaning showers. Using water from the shower heads, scrub the walls, floor and even the heads themselves with the cleaning solutions. If there is any mildew or growth on the flooring or wall tile, continue scrubbing until the substance is completely removed.

Advise shower users of new procedures. Gymnasium guests should begin to wear shower sandals or flip-flops to avoid the germs that can spread through foot contact. Towels should be collected in plastic bins as opposed to cloth hampers. Towels should be washed several times a day if gym-provided. Shower users should also take to wiping down all equipment and lockers with antibacterial wipes to help remove viruses, bacteria and germs from collecting sweat.

Repeat as necessary. Cleaning a locker room shower is only a stop-gap measure, as it must become a regular practice. Only through cleaning the shower room regularly, as in the beginning, middle and end of the week, can the environment be kept free of threatening bacteria and viruses. The shower will need to be shut down for an entire day only for the first time, as it will establish a sterile environment that can be maintained with off-hour cleanings.