The washroom cleanliness experience: Importance of a fresh smelling environment

Earlier this week, Vectair Systems’ EMEA Marketing Manager, Louise Goldsmith, had the pleasure of visiting her local leisure centre.  It was a rainy day, with little else to do, so what a great day to try out the local pool and facilities.  Or so she thought.

“I was quietly impressed.” she says with a slight hint of sarcasm and without naming the leisure centre she visited. “Easy onsite parking. Check. Fairly cheap in comparison to other leisure activities.  Check.

A basic, but spacious café. Check. And not overrun with people.  Double check. But there was one thing that let it down big time.”

THE CLEANLINESS OF THE TOILETS.

“I walked into the disabled toilet, which had a strong unpleasant odour, and felt like retching.  The smell was not only appalling but the thought of actually having to use the facilities was too much to bear.  It really left me with a horrible experience of what otherwise was quite a nice day out.

I remember hearing someone say that for every positive user experience you have you mention it to just one person, but that for every negative experience you tell approximately eight people.  But as I was thinking a little sadly about this, I did wonder whether my comment that the toilets were ‘filthy dirty’ was actually slightly unfair.

Whilst I was there I saw two cleaners continually cleaning the poolside, changing and café areas (in fact, they seemed to look like they were doing an okay job).”  So she thought back to what made her think they were dirty and what altered her perception.

Was it the smell that was making it seem “dirty”?

“What dawned on me was the fact I hadn’t even noticed if the toilet was clean, if the floor was clean.  But it was the terrible smell. And that, on reflection I remember, was coming from the nappy bin next to the baby changing unit I had seen on the wall.   Such a simple change – If the staff had just emptied the nappy bin, I probably would have had a completely different perception of that washroom, and would have left a happy customer all round.”

And with that, after hearing about her experiences, lead us to think that if establishments made a couple of simple checks daily, a couple of simple changes to their routine, they would immediately improve the impression users get of their facility.  So for your benefit, here are a few suggestions below about how Vectair Systems products can help facilities:

Aircare products:

If it is impractical to suggest that you can change your waste bins every day then the next best thing would be investing in something to get rid of the smell!  A fragrance dispenser or air freshener that sprays out frequently throughout the day can help, or if viable, an ozone unit which can destroy the malodour completely.

Explore the Micro Airoma® Automatic Odour Control Dispenser

Explore the Airoma® Automatic Odour Control dispenser

Explore the Prozone® (EMEA) & Vectair Airsan™ (USA) Ozone Generator

Prevent blockages and overflows:

In male washrooms, urinals can present a breeding ground for bad smells through a build-up of uric salt.  Providing urinal screens can keep drains and urinals free flowing, combatting odour control between washroom cleaning visits.  Blockages in showers and drains can cause persistent bad smells if they block, as waste drains away too slowly, providing the perfect environment for bacteria to breed. Cleaning these drains can prove difficult, so using a urinal trap treatment can help to break down the organic waste and reopen the pipe.

Explore the Quadrasan® Purge Urinal Trap Treatment

Explore the V-Screen® Urinal Screens

Invest in a robust sanitary waste bin:

Some sanitary units are simply not cut out for commercial use, and choosing the right unit can help stop unsightly washrooms but also minimise odours.  The Femcare™ MVP sanitary disposal unit has an innovative rotating carousel which ensures waste is not only hidden from view but also contains the bad smelling odours so they are less likely to escape into the cubicle.

Explore the Femcare™ MVP Sanitary Disposal Unit

Use robust, professional and protected antimicrobial waste liners:

Flimsy and loose waste liners are just not up to the job for commercial waste bins.  The Femcare™ antimicrobial liner is the first feminine hygiene liner that incorporates Biomaster®, an antimicrobial protection with silver ions and odour eliminating technology.  The liners can also be used in other suitable waste units.

Explore the Femcare™ Antimicrobial & Scented Sanitary Waste Liners