Tech in the toilet
Washroom technology can be highly valuable but are there any situations in which it can also be overly intrusive? Stuart Hands from Tork manufacturer Essity considers the value of toilet tech and discusses whether or not it is always a force for good.
CES is a major global technology event that takes place every January - and the humble toilet featured among this year’s highlights. Japanese lavatory manufacturer Toto showcased its most recently launched high-tech washroom system at CES 2022, held in Las Vegas. Toto’s Internet-enabled toilet incorporates a smart monitoring system that allows facility managers to measure visitor traffic and monitor water consumption. The lavatory also keeps a constant check for signs of leaks and other malfunctions and incorporates a safety feature that alerts a staff member in cases where anyone has spent more than 30 minutes in the loo.
Toto’s latest innovation is just the tip of the iceberg, however. Smart toilets have been cropping up everywhere and are becoming increasingly sophisticated. For example, in December 2021 it was announced that a block of IoT-supported smart toilets were to be installed at a shopping precinct in Malaysia’s Klang Valley. The facilities at the Sunway Pyramid shopping mall can be used to monitor various parameters including air quality, temperature and humidity. And the washrooms also incorporate ammonia sensors that transmit data to a cloud service enabling facility managers to track foul smells through a web platform or mobile app. Any smells can then be managed and eliminated.
Odours are also being targeted in various Internet-connected smart toilets situated across China. These use infrared detectors to monitor the occupancy and odour levels of each cubicle, with the aim of automatically triggering exhaust fans and sending cleaning requests to housekeeping staff when a bad smell has been detected.
Also in China, facial recognition software is currently keeping tabs on the use of toilet paper in public washrooms. On entering the facility the occupant’s face will be scanned before the person concerned is able to withdraw any toilet tissue. The software will then prohibit him or her from taking out any further paper for a seven-minute period. The aim is to prevent people from taking out long lengths of toilet paper and taking them home with them.
Facial recognition software has now been installed in a number of Chinese cities including Beijing, Dongguan and Fuzhou. But it is proving to be increasingly controversial. The technology has provoked a backlash among people fearing that their personal information could be leaked and passed on to other companies. In fact, an anonymous survey of 1515 Chinese residents carried out by the Beijing News Think Tank in January 2021 revealed that more than 87% of people were opposed to the use of facial recognition technology in commercial zones in general.
Controversy has also arisen over a ‘wellness’ toilet that was recently developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The smart toilet creates a snapshot of the user’s lifestyle and incorporates sensors that can assess sleep patterns, exercise, medication, and alcohol and caffeine intake. But in December 2019, concerns were raised that hackers might be able to access this sensitive information during transmission to the user’s physician.
So it is apparent that washrooms are becoming a mine of information and are now fully capable of ascertaining who is inside, how long they are in there for, what they are doing, how much water they are consuming, and whether or not they are emitting any bad smells. But do we want this level of information becoming available in what is essentially a private space?
In truth, some level of automation and intelligence can be extremely useful when running a pubic washroom. The COVID-19 pandemic has made us all more reluctant to come into contact with frequently-touched surfaces, for example, and this has led to a wider appreciation of fixtures such as automatic taps, flush systems and dispensers operated via a sensor.
While it might not always be necessary to know how much toilet paper a visitor uses or how long he or she lingers in the loo, it is good to be able to predict when the toilet paper, soap or hand towel supplies are about to run out or when a cubicle is receiving a particularly high number of visitors and might therefore require an extra clean.
Smart sensors placed in washrooms and inside dispensers will allow cleaning staff to remotely monitor refill levels and visitor numbers via a smartphone or tablet. Whenever it becomes apparent that a particular cubicle has received extensive use or when a soap or paper dispenser is running low, the cleaner is able to target the relevant washrooms and focus only on those dispensers that need refilling. This avoids the need for a manual check of each unit.
Tork Vision Cleaning is an example of such a system. Besides keeping a constant check on dispenser requirements and visitor numbers, the software also incorporates a function that digitalises cleaning schedules. This enables cleaners to tick off each washroom cleaning task on a smartphone as they complete them while the FM manager gains an overview of the entire job. Systems such as Tork Vision Cleaning generate smart digital cleaning records held in a ‘cloud’ - and these are rapidly replacing the scruffy, scribbled notes often seen on the back of washroom doors in the past.
There are many other ways in which technology is being used to inform, entertain or provide a talking point in the toilet. For example, US scientists are currently working on ways of monitoring the wastewater in toilets to detect the prevalence of COVID-19 in communities, tracking whether infection rates are trending up or down.
In China, some shopping centres now feature augmented reality screens in the ladies’ washrooms that allow visitors to virtually try on make-up. The screens act as intelligent mirrors enabling people to tell how they would look if they applied a particular lipstick, blusher, eyeliner, or eyeshadow. And before the pandemic there was an increasing trend for video screens in men’s washrooms to allow gamers to play virtual football, drive a car or operate a tank while using the loo. These systems proved particularly popular in pubs and clubs and will no doubt make a comeback in the future.
Washroom technology has a wide range of uses, some of which are arguably intrusive but many of which are highly practical. Tech companies will no doubt continue to hone their offerings and come up with new and increasingly exciting uses of toilet technology in the future, increasing operational efficiencies while also making a visit to the loo a much more rewarding experience.
Maintaining washrooms is more than just a checklist
Daniel Took, head of professional product marketing at Kärcher UK, reports on the importance of looking beyond a checklist when it comes to washroom cleaning, as more needs to be done to eradicate harmful bacteria that can build up over time on high touch-point areas.
COVID-19 has shone the light on germ prone areas which is why deep washroom cleaning is essential to provide a hygienic environment free of dirt, grime and bacteria.
High touch-point areas
Changing rooms, sanitary areas and public toilets are frequented by many people, making them prone to the spread of germs and infection. Moisture and heat in these environments - along with organic substances such as flakes of skin and hair - aid the growth of microorganisms, creating a breeding ground.
Regular cleaning of high touch point areas in line with facility regulations is a must. Toilet lids and seats should be treated with an all-purpose alcohol-based cleaner as acids can dissolve dye pigments and leave stains. Furniture such as benches and coat racks which come into regular contact with skin should be scrubbed using a light alkaline cleaning agent or everyday cleaner, then rinsed and dried with a yellow cleaning cloth. Doors, door frames and separating walls should also be cleaned with all-purpose or alcohol-based cleaner using scratch-free pad sponges. Left unmaintained, micro-organisms will be allowed to thrive and multiply on these surfaces.
Tiles
Washrooms are typically tiled from floor to ceiling and need to be cleaned with an acidic deep cleaner and rinsed with clean water. Wall tiles can be scrubbed with a green manual pad to assist with the removal of dirt and oils. For a professional finish, the tiles should be wiped with a rubber squeegee after rinsing.
When it comes to highly textured, slip-resistant flooring that is often found in washrooms, a roller scrubber dryer can be more effective than manual cleaning. Kärcher’s BR 30/4 C BP scrubber dryer uses a high-speed roller brush which has 10 times the contact pressure of a conventional mop and is suitable for cleaning structured surfaces and joints. The backwards and forwards motion of the soft rubber squeegees removes moisture resulting in an intensive high-quality clean. The machine’s light, compact design is also battery powered which means no loose cables creating trip hazards or the need for a power source. This can be used with the addition of the acidic Deep Cleaner RM 751 (pH value 0.7, dosage 5-25%) in the two-step method and then rinsed with clean water for best results.
Disinfect
Once the tiles and touchpoints have been thoroughly cleaned, the second step is to disinfect using a misting machine to achieve even coverage as they use a spray gun under pressure. Spray misting machines, such as the Kärcher ES 1/7 Bp P, allows for the disinfection of hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. The cordless, handheld sprayer has an electrostatic function, specially designed for use with the RM 735 disinfectant and allows for contactless disinfection to keep the user safe.
The cleaning measures detailed here are effective for ensuring that changing rooms, showers, wellness areas, and saunas or fitness facilities remain clean and hygienic. With health and hygiene so paramount, the cleaning of washrooms requires specialist cleaning techniques to ensure the wellbeing of visitors is protected alongside the reputation of the facility.
To end, an important note: sanitary cleaners must be used as directed and in accordance with accident prevention guidelines. This means wearing protective gloves and eye protection if necessary. Never mix cleaning agents, pay attention to the prescribed dosage, do not use warm or very hot water, and rinse well with clean water.
Clean smarter, not harder - how real-time data is the key to an efficient clean
Dan Teare, sector director – FM at mpro5, reports.
It’s no secret that the pandemic has caused a massive shift in working dynamics. Demand for office space has reduced, with knock on effects for many facilities management companies. But in addition, it’s clear that the expected standard in the eyes of many people has changed - cleanliness is now seen as a priority when it comes to personal safety.
The British Cleaning Council reports that even the sight of disinfection or cleaning taking place is enough to restore confidence. Operations that assure customers of their safety are therefore sure to get the best results. Yet clients are still having to make tough decisions about their budgets considering the downturn, and this puts pressure on cleaning companies to lower costs and demonstrate value for money. Ultimately, the question companies should be asking themselves is this: how can you offer ‘more for less’?
Work smarter, not harder
Dynamic cleaning that utilises real-time data and intelligent automation can not only make your operations more efficient but allow you to win new business and assure your customers that you are using your time to get them the best possible results. This might seem easier said than done, but an intelligent deployment of works management software, combined with a network of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, can achieve this aim by fundamentally altering your approach to cleaning.
What makes a dynamic cleaning approach work is the unifying effect it has on all facets of your operations. The mpro5 smart platform can be used for operations, audits, reporting, and compliance - all this resulting data can be used to better guide future operations.
The workings of work management
Work management systems are made up of several key components. First, an app that guides your employees through their key tasks and ad hoc jobs, also recording their additional efforts. Second, a platform that acts as a central command hub, from which workflows, audits and sensor feeds gather, and reports can be created. A database then stores all this data, both active responses and passive information such as the time it took to complete a job, or a follow-up action created because of an issue. The final element is an IoT sensor network that will further inform your teams in real time.
Optimising processes is key
How often do you check the toilets on a given site? Once an hour? Twice a day? You may end up cleaning more than necessary or, worse still, less than necessary. One lucky customer’s recently cleaned stall can be easily overshadowed by another user’s dirty, neglected toilet experience simply through bad timing and inefficient cleaning scheduling. Without effectively analysing real-time data, even the most carefully planned schedule cannot cover all bases.
But with IoT door sensors, monitoring approximate bathroom usage becomes easier. Assuming that one door is equal to one use, alerts can be sent to team members for spot cleaning at a particular customisable threshold. After a weekly audit with which you can use your score as a benchmark, the system can automatically update the uses rule to find the most effective times for future spot cleans. By changing the number incrementally, you can discover the most efficient rule, balancing your audit scores against keeping the number of necessary cleans as efficient as possible.
Detailed reporting is a compelling solution
A dynamic approach to cleaning has the potential to empower operational change at first, but also in the long-term provide valuable business information that can be leveraged into making strong cases for your business. With the help of your software provider, you can quickly and easily start to create customer facing dashboards that display relevant data in real time or as a snapshot of operations.
This can provide your customers with much needed transparency for their personal sense of safety. Not only are you able to show them the increasing effectiveness of your teams as they become more reactive, but also dynamic cleaning allows you to demonstrate that you’ve met your SLAs, reduced response times and improved based on real data.
Your customers will feel assured that you are providing the best possible service and maintaining the ever-important standards of safety through rigorous cleaning. These dashboards are also highly effective for winning new business – you can clearly demonstrate your potential to customers and display that your cost-effective service is at the forefront of FM operations.
A boost in confidence
The British Cleaning Council has produced surveys showing that cleanliness is a key factor for workers considering when to return to the office. Cleaner sites should result in higher usage, restoring consumer confidence and in turn help to grow the businesses that you provide services to.
There are many aspects to dynamic cleaning but in order to create reactive, efficient teams that can also deliver a higher quality of service, you will need to leverage a digital platform that can help to automate and deliver real time feedback to teams and gather the information you need to really understand your operations.
Making the right choices for a sustainable washroom
Paul Mulready, marketing manager at Northwood Hygiene Products Ltd, explores how businesses can ensure that they are delivering effective washroom hygiene, without compromising on their commitments to sustainability.
With the government ending advice to work from home and urging people back into offices, there’s a renewed focus on the importance of hygiene in washrooms. But with increased pressure to reduce our carbon footprint, how do washroom providers cope with an increased footfall in toilet facilities, whilst also making them more environmentally friendly?
Following the COP26 international conference, sustainability is high on the agenda, with more offices looking to improve their energy efficiency. It’s important to demonstrate green credentials throughout the entire organisation, so washrooms need to be more eco-friendly as well - and it starts with your choice of dispenser and consumables.
Choose washroom dispensers carefully
The need to limit the consumption of disposable products is pressing, particularly as their use in washrooms has never been higher. The use of paper towels, for instance, has increased during the pandemic - they dry hands more quickly and hygienically then air dryers and more people use them as a barrier to avoid touching the door handle when exiting the washroom.
When selecting dispensing systems for washrooms, providers should therefore try to specify high-capacity, controlled-use devices that restrict the use of toilet tissue and hand towels and prevent over usage.
Are materials sustainably sourced?
The UK fells around seven million trees a year to make toilet tissue, so washroom providers must be mindful of the impact of deforestation. They should always make sure paper products are made only from raw materials that have been sustainably sourced - either from recycled materials or from sustainably managed forests. Northwood Hygiene offers many Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified products, with more than 90% of products within our North Shore premium proprietary washroom dispenser system range being made from 100% recycled material.
Buy British
The government is committed to cutting the UK’s carbon output and being net zero by 2050 and emissions have been falling over the last 30 years. However, according to the WWF, around half of the country’s carbon footprint is ‘invisible’ because it is attributed to the carbon produced overseas to manufacture goods and the emissions associated with importing to the UK. We must all do our bit to reduce international transportation by buying British-made products where possible.
Northwood is a fully vertically integrated UK manufacturer and is committed to developing sustainable solutions. From wastepaper collection, recycling, manufacturing, and delivery, we have control of the full supply chain, resulting in a smaller carbon footprint.
Zero waste, controlled usage
Combining a number of hygiene-promoting features with strong green credentials, our North Shore range includes the Orbit four roll infinity dispenser, which has a capacity of up to 5000 sheets of toilet paper. Ensuring 100% of the paper is used, North Shore helps to curtail waste and over-use, reduce costs and minimise the environmental impact. Both the Orbit and our 2500-sheet capacity Side-by-Side toilet roll dispensers prevent ‘free rolling’ and only allow access to the next roll once the current one has been used.
North Shore is designed to deliver zero waste and volume in use to reduce the amount of deliveries of paper. This lessens the amount of packaging, reduces the number of stub rolls that are thrown away and means fewer trucks on the road.
All packaging (including cardboard cores, cardboard cartons and paper and plastic wraps) is fully recyclable. Our plastic inserts are made from recycled bottle tops and are recyclable and our soap cartridges are also made from recycled plastic and are recyclable. Even the dispensers can be recycled at the end of their lives.
Sustainability remains a priority for the cleaning sector and organisations can help to reduce the environmental impact of their washrooms with a little thought.
Combined air sanitiser and hand dryer ‘reduces risk’
The transmission of infectious diseases through airborne particles is something more of us are thinking about thanks to the pandemic and as life returns to something more like ‘normal’. For businesses, there is a cost to the spread of disease - influenza costs the UK economy around £3 billion per year in sick days and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Among the public spaces we inhabit, washrooms are a high-risk area in enabling the spread of infections, with typical surface cleaning methods providing only a temporary solution, as well as being extremely draining on resources. The need for an ongoing, more sustainable solution to reduce bacteria is evident and one Oxford-based manufacturing firm believes it has the answer.
To help regain public confidence and reduce the spread of infectious disease, engineers at Airdri developed the first-to-market PureDri unit in June 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The PureDri provides a triple action defence against the spread of bacteria, mould, viruses, and odours in washrooms - it aims to reduce risk at every stage, as well as resulting in a cleaner, fresher washroom environment.
What’s in the air around us?
The air around us contains micro-organisms, bacteria, viruses, moulds, fungi, and volatile organic compounds. These airborne micro-organisms can create offensive odours, spread infections and be responsible for the continued growth of mould. In spaces where people gather these will become more concentrated.
Micro-organisms are deposited on surfaces from the air where they continue to grow, increasing odour issues and the risk of infection. A single bacteria cell can multiply to over eight million in an eight-hour period, which can be a huge problem with multiple people touching washroom surfaces.
Effective infection control needs to be in place to ensure confidence and safety for the people in a premises.
The PureDri solution
Designed to deliver three points of infection control, fast-dry hand drying and energy efficiency, the PureDri is claimed to reduce contamination risk whilst creating cleaner, fresher smelling and more sustainable washroom environments. It combines a powerful hand dryer with air sanitisation technology to rid washrooms of bacteria, reducing airborne micro-organisms by up to 99.8%, while also delivering a focused blast of bacteria killing plasma onto hands at the end of the dry cycle.
It is designed to provide 24/7 protection by neutralising bacteria, viruses, mould, and fungi in washroom spaces. Housed inside the unit is a powerful jet-dry hand drying function that’s run by an efficient 200-watt motor. And for enhanced hygiene, a unique protective plasma shield surrounds the user during use with a focused plasma blast onto hands after the hand drying cycle.
Designed to reduce risk at every stage
PureDri emits a highly efficacious sanitising plasma that is formed of hydroxyl radicals, super-oxide ions and low levels of ozone that is proven to eliminate 99.8% of airborne and surface micro-organisms and substantially reduce unpleasant odours. It has been UK laboratory tested with efficacy data provided by top UK testing facilities including Profectus, Campden BRI and ALS Group.
The PureDri sanitising plasma creates a hostile environment for harmful pathogens and is effective against coronaviruses, E. Coli infection, common colds, urinary tract infections, flu, and strep throat.
When a patron enters the washroom, PureDri has eliminated 99.8% of airborne and surface micro-organisms. The entire washroom has been sanitised and is hostile to pathogens.
When pathogens are introduced to the washroom PureDri is continuously emitting a plasma to eliminate pathogens. 74.1% of airborne particles are eliminated in less than five minutes.
When patrons wash hands then move to a PureDri unit, it emits a focused plasma shield surrounding the user whilst the jet speed dryer uses sanitised air to dry hands thoroughly over a 20 second dry cycle. Focused plasma is delivered onto the user’s hands in a six second blast to eliminate pathogens that may not have been removed by hand washing. This has been proven to reduce bacteria count by a further 11%.
Steve Whittall, operations director at Airdri, said: “By making sure hygiene is a top priority in their washrooms, companies can go some way to restoring public confidence to pre-pandemic levels. Airdri hopes that with the introduction of PureDri as a viable alternative to traditional hand dryers but with all the additional benefits, it can help to ease the transmission back to a more ‘normal’ way of life.”
Making sustainable air freshening choices
For all premises - and particularly washrooms - first impressions count, and can begin even before people see if a venue is clean. The sense of smell is the strongest of the five senses and one of the body’s front-line defence mechanisms, designed to set off alarm bells if a foul smell is detected.
“From staff to visitors, trust in the cleanliness and safety of a venue can be negatively impacted if it smells bad, as they will wonder why, and suspect that it is not hygienic,” said P-Wave’s sales and marketing manager, Mark Wintle. “Foul smells in any building are typically caused by the presence of bacteria which has been left to grow through either inadequate or infrequent cleaning procedures. While the washroom may be the cause of the worst odours in a building, improving the air quality and freshness throughout premises is essential.”
Passive air fresheners - a sustainable choice
“Passive air fresheners not only deliver exceptional and consistent fragrance, but also represent a sustainable choice as they are easily recyclable, don’t require batteries and avoid the use of potentially harmful aerosols,” continued Mark Wintle. “Placing them where there is good air-flow positively enhances the consumer experience.”
The highly fragranced and 100% recyclable Eco Air freshener is a powerful passive air freshener that can be used standalone or inside an Eco Air cabinet. Ideally placed near a door or any space with good air flow, the open-air design ensures maximum surface area exposure for effective and efficient fragrance release. The refill has also been designed to fit a number of other manufacturer's dispensers, so that refills can be switched without having to change units.
Another passive freshener option is the easy to install P-Curve, which is claimed to deliver up to 50 times more fragrance than a standard toilet rim stick. Full of fragrance and 100% recyclable, it can be placed almost anywhere - on doors, bins, desks, walls, and even in the car. In addition, P-Wave also stocks the flexible Hang Tag, which can be hung almost anywhere, features 100% more fragrance than typical air fresheners and keeps any area smelling cleaner, longer.
P-Wave has been solving the most common hygiene issue in urinals for years, as randomly splashed urine causes a headache for cleaners, plus a bad smell and a reduction in hygiene standards. P-Wave’s highly fragranced Slant6 urinal screen delivers a new angle on splash prevention, coupled with a major step forward in urinal deodorising technology.
“At P-Wave, we’re passionate about the environment and recognise the importance of introducing eco-friendly products into the marketplace,” concluded Mark Wintle. “That’s why all of our air freshener refills are 100% recyclable and can simply be placed in your plastic recycle bin after 30 days. As innovators in the industry, we understand that cleanliness and hygiene are the most important aspects of managing premises, and with years of experience and a consultative approach, we can make recommendations on how best to maintain great smelling premises.”
No trolley too small
Cleaning washrooms is easy with the right equipment. TTS has developed professional solutions to meet the specific needs of this environment ensuring high performance and time, cost and effort savings.
Washroom hygiene has a number of challenges - washrooms are usually characterised by narrow spaces that make cleaning difficult and slow down operations, and storage space for cleaning equipment is usually very limited. TTS has developed Lampo, an innovative system for the transportation of tools in trolleys. Thanks to Lampo even the most compact trolley can now be fully equipped to create a complete cleaning station. Operators can quickly switch from one tool to another using the same handle.
Lampo, combined with the double bucket trolley Nickita, is the best combination for operation in tiny spaces. Nickita is compact, light and manoeuvrable. In addition, Nickita can be equipped with 15 and 25 litre buckets. Colour-coded buckets allow proper risk management while the ergonomic handle facilitates easy manual handling. Moreover, the stackable frame allows stocking more than one trolley in one single storage closet, thus saving space.
Odour control and disinfection combined
Michelle Chadwick, senior brand manager at Zoflora, reports.
Workspaces can be breeding grounds for viruses and bacteria. With normality slowly returning, many workplaces have started to welcome back their workforces. But with this return to work, now more than ever, employees have concerns around workplace hygiene.
The spread of germs in the workplace, through the frequent touching of surfaces, including kettles, fridge doors and doorhandles, is something cleaning staff will be all too familiar with. With hygiene top of mind, fragranced disinfectants and cleaners, such as Zoflora, are perfect solutions to work into workplace cleaning regimes. Not only does Zoflora kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria including COVID-19, but it offers over 30 fragrances in the range, varying from fresh to floral.
Given the nature of workplaces and the available surfaces on which germs can breed - not to mention odours that are hard to control - Zoflora has various formats from multipurpose concentrate to disinfecting mists and multipurpose cleaners to meet all cleaning needs. From disinfecting meeting rooms in between meetings and keeping reception areas clean, to high traffic areas such as washrooms and kitchens where odour control is key, this fragranced disinfectant offers an effective way to keep workplaces clean, leaving a long-lasting scent.
Neutralising strong odours in the workplace is an important part of hygiene perception. In fact, studies have shown that employees who work in the presence of a pleasant-smelling air freshener are more productive and content.
Effective washroom solutions enhance customer perceptions
Businesses have realised that keeping their washrooms clean is just the start, and that creating a pleasant and hygienic environment will have a positive effect on customers, guests and employees. But therein lies the problem: the range of facilities and equipment required to do this can fall beyond the capabilities of in-house teams or the remit of building service contractors. Instead, businesses are turning to specialist suppliers like Zenith Washroom Solutions, now part of Diversey’s UK business, for support.
Good washroom management will always be based around regular cleaning to maximise hygiene, remove unsightly soiling and prevent unpleasant odours. Choosing the right combination of products is important, whether these be for routine or problem-solving tasks. Ready to use products can be convenient, especially for occasional use, but using concentrates to prepare solutions on-site for routine tasks can help to reduce costs with many other sustainability benefits. Diversey can advise on the best combination from its extensive range.
But alongside traditional washroom amenities it is now commonplace, especially in retail and hospitality, to find baby changing facilities, air fragrance devices, vending machines, and a whole range of other equipment designed to improve the ambiance and enhance perceptions of cleanliness.
Since the start of the pandemic, for example, many businesses have requested ways to eliminate viruses, bacteria and other pathogens from the air while also improving its overall quality and adding pleasant fragrances. This can create a safer and enhanced environment but requires specialist equipment that must be configured and serviced correctly by qualified technicians to maintain efficient performance.
Demand for improved sustainability is also driving change, as typified by the growth of waterless urinals. The switch is rarely simple and effective solutions might incorporate devices to deal with the urine and residues, prevent splashback and eliminate odours. Solving washroom problems like this is an increasingly specialist task.
Another key issue is waste disposal and management, which is covered by numerous regulations. Feminine hygiene waste and used nappies can only be disposed of by registered carriers who ensure compliance and keep on top of any necessary paperwork. It is a burden that most businesses will want to pass on to experienced service providers.
These examples help to explain why businesses are turning to specialist suppliers such as Zenith Washroom Solutions. The business has almost 20 years’ experience in delivering high performance solutions that enhance service levels while controlling and reducing costs. Its services and carefully chosen products complement and augment routine cleaning operations. A national network of depots and service engineers offers customers direct access to a team with local experience and knowledge. The combination of Diversey and Zenith Washroom Solutions offers customers a complete set of products, equipment and services from a single source or one-stop shop.
Washrooms always have a significant impact on customer perceptions. And the pandemic has heightened and highlighted the importance of hygiene. Building on the base of good cleaning with additional amenities and facilities can make a real difference that customers will notice and appreciate.
