Restaurant & Food Service Cleaning in Ottawa: Health Code Compliance Guide

In food service, cleanliness isn't just about appearances—it's the law. Ottawa restaurants face rigorous health inspections, and a single failure can result in closure, fines, and devastating reviews. Professional restaurant cleaning ensures your establishment meets health code requirements while creating an environment where staff work efficiently and customers dine confidently.

Key Takeaways

TL;DR: Restaurant cleaning requires specific protocols to meet Ottawa Public Health standards. Daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning schedules prevent violations while maintaining food safety and customer confidence.

Ottawa Health Code Requirements

Ontario Food Premises Regulation

All Ottawa food service establishments must comply with Ontario Regulation 493/17. Key cleaning requirements include:

• Food contact surfaces: Must be cleaned and sanitised after each use
• Equipment: Regular cleaning to prevent contamination
• Floors, walls, ceilings: Maintained in clean condition
• Washrooms: Clean and supplied at all times
• Waste disposal: Proper containers and regular removal
• Pest prevention: Cleanliness to prevent infestations

Ottawa Public Health Inspections

Inspectors check:

• General cleanliness and maintenance
• Food handling and storage practices
• Sanitation procedures
• Pest control measures
• Staff hygiene practices

Inspection results are publicly posted, making cleanliness directly tied to reputation.

Restaurant Cleaning Schedule

Daily Cleaning Tasks

Front of House:

• Wipe and sanitise all tables and chairs
• Clean menus and condiment containers
• Sweep and mop dining floor
• Clean and restock washrooms
• Empty all waste bins
• Wipe door handles and high-touch surfaces
• Clean beverage stations
• Polish glass and mirrors

Kitchen:

• Clean and sanitise all food prep surfaces
• Clean cooking equipment after each use
• Sanitise cutting boards
• Clean fryers (filter oil)
• Wipe down stainless steel surfaces
• Sweep and mop kitchen floors
• Clean dish pit area
• Empty grease traps
• Remove garbage and recycling

End of Day:

• Deep clean grill and flattop
• Clean hood filters (quick clean)
• Sanitise walk-in refrigerator handles
• Clean sinks and drains
• Mop all floors thoroughly

Weekly Cleaning Tasks

• Deep clean fryers (full oil change)
• Clean inside ovens
• Degrease hood and exhaust system
• Clean refrigerator and freezer interiors
• Descale coffee equipment
• Clean ice machines
• Deep clean floor drains
• Wash walls in kitchen areas
• Clean light fixtures
• Detail dining room upholstery

Monthly Deep Cleaning

• Professional hood and exhaust cleaning
• Deep clean behind all equipment
• Clean ceiling tiles and vents
• Pressure wash kitchen floors
• Clean and organise storage areas
• Window cleaning (interior and exterior)
• Detailed baseboard cleaning
• Grout cleaning and sealing

Critical Cleaning Areas

Commercial Kitchen

Range Hood and Exhaust System: The hood system accumulates grease rapidly, creating fire hazards. Requirements:

• Daily: Wipe exterior surfaces
• Weekly: Clean filters (dishwasher or soak)
• Monthly/Quarterly: Professional deep cleaning
• Annually: Full system inspection and cleaning

Grease Traps:

• Daily emptying of surface grease
• Weekly thorough cleaning
• Professional pumping as required (typically monthly)

Walk-In Coolers and Freezers:

• Daily: Floor sweep, spill cleanup
• Weekly: Interior wipe-down, shelf cleaning
• Monthly: Full deep clean including coils

Food Prep Areas

All food contact surfaces require:

1. Clean (remove visible debris)
2. Rinse (remove cleaning solution)
3. Sanitise (approved food-safe sanitiser)
4. Air dry (no towel drying)

Cutting Boards:

• Sanitise between different food types
• Deep clean and sanitise daily
• Replace when grooved or damaged

Dining Areas

Tables and Chairs:

• Sanitise between each guest
• Daily deep wipe including bases and legs
• Weekly detailed cleaning

Floors:

• Sweep continuously during service
• Mop after each service period
• Deep clean weekly

Choosing a Restaurant Cleaning Service

What to Look For

Food Service Experience:

• Specific restaurant cleaning experience
• Understanding of health code requirements
• Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment
• Flexible scheduling (after-hours availability)

Credentials:

• Proper insurance coverage
• WHMIS-trained staff
• Food-safe cleaning products
• Background-checked employees

Questions to Ask

1. Do you specialise in restaurant/food service cleaning?
2. What products do you use? Are they food-safe?
3. Can you work around our operating hours?
4. Do you provide hood/exhaust cleaning?
5. How do you handle emergency cleaning requests?

Restaurant Cleaning Pricing in Ottawa

Note: Pricing varies based on restaurant size, equipment, and specific requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often should restaurant hoods be professionally cleaned?

Ontario Fire Code requires cleaning based on cooking volume. Most restaurants need quarterly cleaning, but high-volume operations may require monthly service.

Q: Can we do our own cleaning instead of hiring professionals?

Daily and weekly cleaning should involve staff. However, specialised tasks like hood cleaning, grease trap service, and deep cleaning benefit from professional expertise and equipment.

Q: What happens if we fail a health inspection?

Depending on severity, consequences range from required corrective action to immediate closure. Re-inspection fees apply. Multiple failures can result in licence revocation.

Q: How should we clean between COVID-19 protocols and regular service?

Focus on high-touch surface sanitisation between guests, proper hand hygiene for staff, and enhanced bathroom cleaning. Ottawa Public Health provides current guidance.

Q: Do you clean during operating hours or after closing?

Most professional restaurant cleaning occurs after closing to avoid disrupting service. However, day porter services can maintain washrooms and common areas during hours.

Keep Your Restaurant Inspection-Ready

Consistent, thorough cleaning protects your customers, staff, and business reputation. Urban9 Cleaning Services provides professional restaurant and commercial kitchen cleaning throughout Ottawa, helping you maintain health code compliance and operational excellence.

Ready to elevate your restaurant's cleanliness? Contact Urban9 for a customised cleaning proposal for your food service establishment.

Urban9 Cleaning Services provides professional restaurant cleaning, commercial kitchen cleaning, and janitorial services throughout Ottawa, Kanata, Orléans, Barrhaven, Nepean, and surrounding areas.