FEATURE


A FRESHERAPPROACH


Dry fragrance technology, anti-splash design and more sustainable materials are changing the way washrooms are managed. The result is a more considered approach to hygiene that can benefit both cleaning teams and end users, explains Mark Wintle, Brand Manager at P-Wave.


Washrooms are often judged in seconds. A visitor walks in, notices the smell, the cleanliness of the floor, the state of the urinals, and quickly forms an opinion not only of the facilities, but of the organisation behind them. For cleaning and facilities teams, that creates a constant challenge: how do you keep washrooms fresh, hygienic, presentable and cost-effective without adding unnecessary complexity?


For years, washroom air care has often relied on sprays, aerosols and liquid-based fragrance systems. These products all have their place, and the right solution will always depend on the environment. But modern washrooms increasingly demand air care that is simpler, cleaner and more considered – reducing odour, improving presentation and helping cleaners maintain standards with less mess and fewer problems.


One of the biggest issues in male washrooms remains urinal splashback. It is unpleasant for users, creates extra work for cleaning teams and contributes to odour problems around urinals, on walls and floors. A well- designed urinal mat does more than fragrance the space – it helps reduce splash, supports better hygiene, and keeps surrounding floors, walls and fixtures cleaner for longer. Those practical benefits go well beyond simply masking odours, helping to tackle one of the causes of poor washroom perception at source.


The same thinking applies to air freshening. Dry fragrance systems offer a cleaner alternative to liquid-based products. They do not leak, drip or leave sticky residue on floors or surfaces, which is important in environments where slips, staining and unnecessary clean-up need to be avoided. Unlike aerosols or liquid systems, dry fragrance refills are not atomised into the air and are generally lower in VOCs and free from solvents commonly used in some aerosol formulations, such as acetone. That means fragrance is delivered without creating a mist of droplets, making them a more comfortable option for many users and a more considered choice for facilities teams looking at indoor air quality.


Sustainability is now another major part of the washroom conversation. End users expect hygiene products to


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perform well, but also to demonstrate responsible design. At P-Wave, all dry fragrance refills are recyclable where facilities exist, helping teams make more considered choices when managing washroom waste. We also recognise that urinal mats are more difficult to recycle in practice, which is why we have looked at ways to improve their end-of-life impact.


Our urinal mats include EcoPure, an additive that has been undergoing long-term independent testing in our product since 2019. Testing to date has shown biodegradation of 90% in landfill conditions over seven years. For a product category that plays such an important role in daily washroom hygiene, that kind of progress matters. It is not about pretending the challenge does not exist; it is about taking meaningful steps to improve the products cleaning teams rely on every day.


Of course, performance has to come first. A washroom air care product must smell good, last well and be easy to manage. Powerful fragrances remain essential because odour control is one of the most noticeable signs of washroom quality. When fragrance performance is combined with anti-splash design, dry refill technology, recyclability and improved end-of-life thinking, the result is a simpler, more effective approach to washroom care.


There is also an opportunity for washroom products to do more than maintain standards. P-Wave’s first-of-its- kind NHS Cancer Awareness partnership on urinal mats shows how everyday washroom touchpoints can support important public health messaging. Urinals are a unique communication space with attention, dwell time and repeat visibility. Used responsibly, they can help raise awareness and potentially save a life, while still delivering the hygiene and freshness benefits facilities teams need.


The future of washroom care does not have to be complicated. For cleaning professionals, the most effective solutions solve real-world problems: splashback, odour, residue, leaks, sustainability and user wellbeing.


www.p-wave.co.uk twitter.com/TomorrowsFM


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