June 5, 2025
By Todd Nuttman, Marine Maintenance Crew Chief, Port of Seattle
My name is Todd Nuttman. I am the co-crew chief for the Clean Team in the Marine Maintenance department at the Port of Seattle. I’m sure you’ve been wondering what the Clean Team does for the Port. As the name suggests, we clean. My job involves everything from managing employee time entry, ordering supplies, handling complaints, and making sure my team has plenty of opportunity to clean some of the many buildings, restrooms, and office spaces across Port properties. Also in my spare time, I dress up in a catsuit and fight crime. (Just checking to see if you’re still with me.)
But enough about 
me. Let’s talk about the REAL stars of the show: the hardworking folks who do the job nobody else wants to do ─ cleaning.
What we do
We work seven days a week, and pack all our supplies into a van, since not all routes have a closet on site. We handle everything from spills and dust to restrooms and office spaces, all while using environmentally safe products, and practicing safe cleaning policies.
Spilled your double half caf-espresso with a twist of lemon and two and a half Sweet and Lows? We clean your carpets. Enough dust on your sills to plant potatoes? We dust those down. Stopping by a restroom at a Port facility or park? We make sure it’s clean and ready for you.
This job is not easy. Cleaning is tough work and as you know, people are messy. (Not you. You’re ok.) We clean after employees leave for the day and scrub buildings and restrooms that get used 12 hours a day. The folks who do this job day in day out are some of the most dedicated people I’ve ever worked with. I’ve been a janitorial supervisor for about 20 years, and this is the best crew I ‘ve ever been associated with.
Tips for a cleaner, safer restroom experience
Want to make your restroom experience the best it can be? Here are a few insider tips:
Tip #1. No eating or drinking in the restroom.
Every time you flush, a fine mist of toilet water gets sprayed everywhere ─ including on you and the Almond Joy you wanted to finish. Don’t do it. Just don’t.
Tip #2. Wash your hands ─ every time!
And try not to touch anything, including your eyes and mouth. This will help you avoid the flu, E-coli, Streptococcus, Norovirus, Hepatitis, MRSA, Salmonella, and other assorted viruses.
Tip #3. Watch your step
Be careful. There may be wet surfaces in there, waiting for you and your four-inch heels. Watch where you walk and immediately report a problem to us.
And now some tips you can use at home.
Tip #4. Don’t flush disposable wipes
Even if it “says safe for septic or sewer,” don’t do it. They do not degrade sufficiently, and it’s your vacation money that will be spent on plumbers.
Tip #5. Clean weekly
Clean your restroom at home at least once per week. Everything. This includes handles, touch points, shower floor, vents. I suggest using environmentally safe cleaners like we use at the Port. Use some elbow grease to clean rather than toxic chemicals; we love our local sea life and want to keep them around rather than exposing them to chemicals.
Tip #6. Unclog drains the natural way
Shower draining slow? Sink clogged? Get a box of baking soda and some vinegar. (Not the balsamic, the cheap stuff.) Then pour half a box of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. It will foam up and dissolve the clog. Follow that by running hot water. And it should unclog whatever’s there.
I hope this helped you understand what the Clean Team does. We are the folks who work behind the scenes to ensure every Port facility is clean, safe, and welcoming.
In the meantime, if you ever see me in my cat suit, mopping a floor ─just know I’m multi-tasking.
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