You may have heard of contests for best dressed. While typically these kinds of competitions–formal or informal–seem to be associated with high-fashion events, there are plenty of more lighthearted counterparts. With Halloween just around the corner, you’ve likely heard of at least a few costume competitions going on nearby!

But costumes and name-brand gowns aren’t the only things that competition judges and the general public inspect and pronounce judgement over. Did you know that there is an annual bathroom competition? Hosted by Cintas Corporation, this competition dates back to 2002 and has featured some of the most breathtaking–in a good way!–restrooms in America.

This year’s winner was the Nashville Zoo. With floor-to-ceiling glass walls featuring one of the zoo’s spectacular exhibits, this bathroom truly is unique! The women’s restroom featured six cotton-top tamarin monkeys while the men’s restroom featured a boelens python snake. Yikes!

It’s pretty entertaining to browse through the Best Bathroom Contest hall of fame. This collection contains pictures of other impressive winners and runners-up. Longwood Gardens in Philadelphia (2014 winner) has each of 17 bathroom doors located along the longest “green wall” of living plants in North America. 

Not all previous winners feature living things, though. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport was awarded the 2016 title of Best Bathroom for a number of reasons, notably the way restrooms feature mosaic art from regional artists.

Texas rest stop chain Buc-ee’s claimed the top title for its New Braunfels location in 2012. Though not ornate like winners in other years, it’s bus-stopping number of bathrooms–83 total!–is enough to make even the most stoic judge stop for a slow clap (and a bag of Beaver Nuggets, because who can resist those crunchy-sweet snacks?). 

Nominations for the 2019 contest have closed but the 2020 contest has already begun! Now you may wonder, what does this have to do with me? A quick look at what previous winners have to say is pretty revealing. Besides the fun of the contest itself, these winning businesses reported a dramatic increase in social media and news attention after the contest which then translates into an increase in customer visits. I guess you could say good bathrooms are great for business!

Regardless of whether your bathroom has art or monkeys or just a simple toilet and sink, there is one thing you should note. It’s something that every single winner and runner-up in the competition had in common. Each of their bathrooms was spotlessly clean. Even immaculate, as the contest information page states.

At Sonlight Cleaning Services, we know that first impressions count. That’s why you can count on us to keep your bathrooms looking winner-circle-ready every day of the week. From daily janitorial cleaning to day porter services, we’ve got the man-power and know-how to take care of your facilities–break room to bathroom and everything in between!