Since the theme here at the Bathroom Blogfest 2009 is "Flush the Recession and Plunge into Forgotten Spaces", let's talk plungers. When toilet water is rising, ya gotta love 'em, but plungers are traditionally just so darned ugly. Worse yet, they tend to become focal points. In a perfect world, plungers would be kept tastefully tucked away, yet easily accessible, in a supply cabinet. If they must be stored in full view, plungers don't have to be unattractive eyesores anymore. Plungers have come a long way, and with a little bit of looking, an unobtrusive, or even attractive, plunger can be found.

Plunger Pointers

• Colored plastic plunger handles are simple and stylish. The best include clamshell covers to encase the rubber end.
• Make a plunger disappear by finding one that blends with your flooring.
• Paint wooden plunger handles to match the bathroom walls.
• Woven wicker plunger covers are pretty and textural. Google to find these.
• Visit www.plungees.com to find plungers that can serve as an artistic accent, or brand your business with a custom imprinted handle.

At shopping malls and downtown areas everywhere, restrooms are overlooked as other areas of the retail experience take center stage. It usually doesn't start out that way. Many well-meaning restroom hosts post inspection charts on the wall...but forget about them as time goes by. Imagine the message that is conveyed to customers when charts indicate periods of inattention...are totally blank...or altogether missing. Check out this example.

Besides after-hours deep cleanings, the key to a good restroom maintenance program is consistent in-service touch-ups, at regular intervals, during business hours. This will keep a facility looking presentable at all times. Someone has to be responsible for enforcing the effort, lest lackadaisical staff slough it off --- and that duty most likely belongs to the business manager. Let's face it, who's going to jump at the chance to be a washroom warden? Someone with a stake in the business who understands the big picture has to take charge. Maybe they don't teach this concept at business college....but they do teach it at the school of hard knocks!

Kaboom is the proud sponsor of the 2009 Bathroom Blogfest --- and it's a perfect fit of a partnership. Cleanliness is the bottom line of a good bathroom, and that's what Kaboom is all about.

Some years back, I was battling mineral deposits on my sink top --- to the point of chiseling at the mess with a butter knife --- and feeling that a new sink was in order. When my neighbor raved about Kaboom (the Shower, Tub and Tile Cleaner), I gave it a try ... and it worked like magic! Mind you, I had tried many other products to no avail. With minimal dwell time, very little elbow grease, and no offensive odor, that stubborn residue was removed. My sink never looked better. To this day, even my aging chrome faucet gleams after using Kaboom. Its finish has not been damaged, and the shine is enhanced each time I clean it. After discovering microfiber, I eliminated many products from my cleaning arsenal, but the one I faithfully keep in my cabinet is Kaboom.

For your chance to win a FREE Kaboom Cleaning Kit, become a Fan of "Skip to the Loo!" on Facebook! The winner will be randomly selected on October 31, 2009! Just click on the Facebook badge below, then click the button labeled "Become a Fan!" This cleaning kit has been generously provided in celebration of the Bathroom Blogfest by Kaboom.

Skip to the Loo!

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I admit it. Some years ago, as small business operators, my husband and I were guilty of a neglected restroom. It was clean, but unattractive and industrial. An interior designer had helped us plan a beautiful customer service area that showcased the products of our professional photo lab --- but the restroom had fallen by the wayside. It didn't reflect the level of customer service for which we were known, it didn't communicate anything about the theme of our business, and it didn't show that we cared. At that time, business was booming, and one day we tuned into the steady parade of women to our bathroom...and the light came on. We realized that we had overlooked the barest of necessities.

Given the go-ahead, I plunged into a restroom renovation with gusto. It was not an extreme makeover or a major remodel. This was a facility facelift. On a small budget, our restroom went from bland to beautiful. I wanted it to be memorable for our customers, and the mission was accomplished.

The improvements included pretty paint, crown molding, fresh flowers, photos galore (featuring a laminated floor graphic that looks like a rug), a false window, a piece of furniture for storage, and many amenities.

The result? Our customers gushed with gratitude and praise. This effort generated more enthusiasm than our most expensive marketing efforts in 25 years. It influenced repeat business, differentiated us from our competition, and sparked my ongoing passion for better restroom spaces everywhere. In a recession, when costly advertising may be out of the question, an economical bathroom upgrade is marketing money well spent.

Never underestimate the power of a powder room!

Two years ago as I was wrapping up my book, Skip to the Loo!, I stumbled across the Bathroom Blogfest—and a cyberspace-based group of like-minded souls. The time must have been ripe for women to come out of the water closet and speak out on a passionate topic. Restrooms are frequently overlooked as part of the customer experience, yet this is where significant impressions of a business are given many times daily with each visit.

The Bathroom Blogfest began in 2006 on a whim—and turned into an annual event—thanks to the efforts of a hard-working and enthusiastic core of individuals. This year, the 2009 Bathroom Blogfest happens during the last week of October. The theme is "Flush the Recession and Plunge into Forgotten Spaces", and I am happy to be a participant. Get ready for bloggers from various disciplines including marketing (my area of interest), sociology, research, psychology, environment, customer experience, and user-experience design, to share thought-provoking and inspirational information. Spread the word, share your comments, join the fun, and make your voice heard! Become a fan of the Bathroom Blogfest and Skip to the Loo on Facebook! Check back soon, and please cast your vote in the survey at your right!