WASHROOM HYGIENE
Making good sense in the washroom
Washrooms for use by the public should ideally be attractive to look at, but they also need to smell fresh and provide a calm, relaxed environment where users can feel comfortable. Stuart Hands, from Tork manufacturer Essity, looks at how providers can ensure that their washrooms hold a sensory appeal for users.
Anyone who visits a public washroom will immediately employ their senses to assess their environment. They will need to reassure themselves that they are entering a safe and welcoming space. So, they will subconsciously be checking for any signs of poor hygiene or neglect such as a dirty floor, fingerprints on the dispensers or cobwebs in the corners.
They will also be aware of any bad smells, since these will be an immediate turn-off and another potential indicator of low hygiene standards and poor maintenance. Loud noises – such as those being emitted from high-speed air dryers – could be unsettling, particularly for washroom visitors with neurodiversity issues. Consumables which are abrasive to the touch, such as harsh soaps or rough hand towels, will be unpleasant to use for anyone with a skin sensitivity.
Public washrooms can feel like a threatening environment for some. They are also a place where we feel at our most vulnerable. So, it is only natural that we should use our senses to check our surroundings for any signs of danger. Besides an unpleasant smell or visible evidence of uncleanliness, danger signs could also take the form of poor lighting or dark corners where vandals or drug dealers could be lurking.
Washroom providers therefore have their work cut out to ensure that the visitor’s first impression is both positive and reassuring.
Washrooms should be bright, well-lit spaces to create a welcoming environment and deter wrong-doers. A smart, pristine washroom will also help to convince people that the facilities are safe to use. There should ideally be clear evidence of a regular cleaning schedule – perhaps in the form of a note on the back of the door – to provide further reassurance.
A facility which appears to be comfortable to use should also smell fresh and offer a calm environment, where loud noises are kept to a minimum and where all soaps and paper products are pleasant to the touch.
Washrooms should also be designed to be easy to clean. Smooth surfaces for the walls, floors and dispensers are less likely to harbour dirt than grout lines and sharp angles, for example, while automatic taps will prevent the build-up of unsightly fingermarks.
A good air freshening system will help to mask any unpleasant washroom smells, and mild soaps and soft hand towels will be more comfortable on the hands than abrasive alternatives.
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A washroom will also create a good visual impression if it’s uncluttered and if the dispensers are streamlined and attractive. Thoughtful product and dispenser design can help support a tidy environment, making the washroom more comfortable and welcoming for users.
Well-managed dispensing systems for soap, hand towels and toilet tissue can help facilities maintain a neat appearance throughout the day while also reducing the need for frequent maintenance. The result is a cleaner, more pleasant washroom experience that encourages good hygiene and leaves visitors with a positive impression of the facility.
A soap system housed in a replaceable cartridge will help to prevent the messes which are more or less inevitable with bulk-fill systems. For example, Tork Foam Soaps come in a sealed cartridge that can be replaced in seconds by the cleaner. The soaps have a pleasant hand-feel and come in a Sensitive version, which is kinder to the hands for people with skin issues.
The Tork SmartOne Twin Mini Toilet Roll System prevents the issue of soggy paper on the floor because it comes in a sturdy, lockable dispenser which delivers one sheet of paper at a time. This helps to prevent runouts and vandalism. The unit also has no level surfaces or crevices where drug paraphernalia can be used or stored, so that washroom visitors can feel they are in a safe environment.
A hand towel system enables visitors to dry their hands quickly and quietly. Essity offers a range of Tork hand towels that come in Soft and Extra Soft versions for people with sensitive hands.
The Tork PeakServe Continuous Hand Towel Dispenser is particularly suitable for use in public washrooms because it caters for more than 1,000 guests between refills, and delivers each towel in just three seconds. The dispenser has been designed to give out sheets of paper singly to prevent run-outs while supporting a clean, organised washroom environment.
Many washroom visitors are reluctant to touch the surfaces or dispensers for fear of picking up germs. Automatic taps, flush systems and dispensers will allow them to navigate the space more safely while touching as few surfaces as possible.
Manual dispensers, where provided, should be easy to use. A degree of dexterity is often required to use dispensers for soap, toilet paper and hand towels which means people
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