Usually, when we think about a clean and hygienic bathroom, our minds jump to sparkling sinks, spotless mirrors and pristine toilet bowls. However, unsung heroes of public toilets play a crucial role in maintaining hygiene and freshness. These are urinal blocks, urinal mats and urinal cleaners.
These unassuming products are the silent guardians of our restroom experiences, working tirelessly to combat odours, prevent clogs and ensure visitor satisfaction. This article will explore the vital functions of these public toilet essentials.
1. Urinal Blocks: The Odour Terminators
Urinal blocks or urinal cakes are small, solid cubes or tablets that are placed directly into urinals. They might seem inconspicuous, but their role in keeping public toilets odour-free is highly underrated. These blocks contain powerful deodorising agents that neutralise the unpleasant smells associated with urinals.
How do they work?
When a urinal block comes into contact with water, it slowly dissolves, releasing its deodorising agents into the water. As urine flows into the urinal, it mixes with the water and the dissolved urinal block components. The result is a pleasant, fresh scent that masks any unpleasant odours.
Urinal blocks come in a variety of fragrances, so you can choose the one that best suits your restroom’s ambience. From citrus to lavender, these fragrances can transform a mundane visit to the toilet into a more pleasant experience.
One thing to watch out for is toilet blocks that contain paradichlorobenzene. We’ve discussed this in previous articles, so we won’t go too deep in this one. Suffice it to say, steer clear and try to source benzene-free urinal cakes.
Granted, urinal blocks aren’t the most glamorous of topics to discuss. However, if you are old enough to remember public toilets without them, you’ll know what a crucial difference they make.
2. Urinal Mats: The Protector of Pipes
Urinal mats are often overlooked, but they play a vital role in preventing clogs and maintaining the integrity of restroom plumbing. These mats are placed at the bottom of the urinals, serving as a barrier between urine and the drainage system.
What do they do?
When urine enters the urinal, it can carry debris such as cigarette butts, chewing gum, paper and other small objects into the drain. Over time, the accumulation of these objects can lead to clogs and costly plumbing repairs. Urinal mats act as filters, trapping these solids before they can cause blockages.
In addition to preventing clogs, urinal mats are also designed to minimise splashback, keeping the toilet floor cleaner and safer for users. Splashback is one of the leading causes of foul odours in men’s toilets. It is also full of bacteria, which is then walked on and carried throughout your premises.
3. Urinal Cleaners: The Sanitizers
Urinal cleaners are essential for maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of urinals. They come in various forms, including liquid cleaners, gels and foams, and are designed to tackle mineral deposits, stains and bacteria build-up.
What do they accomplish?
Mineral deposits and uric scale from hard water can accumulate in urinals over time, leading to unsightly stains and reduced flushing efficiency. Urinal cleaners contain specialised ingredients that dissolve these deposits, restoring the urinal’s appearance and functionality.
Furthermore, urinal cleaners contain disinfectants that kill harmful bacteria, ensuring that the urinals remain sanitary for users. Regular use of urinal cleaners is essential in preventing the growth of odour-causing bacteria and promoting a clean environment.
We recommend finding a stockist of multi-strain enzyme-based urinal cleaner in Australia, as this is the class-leading product. Also, pH-neutral urinal cleaners can prevent damage to the plumbing.
4. Urinal Screens: The Splash Guards
Urinal screens are often the first line of defence against public toilet odours and unsightly messes. These screens are typically placed at the drain of the urinal and serve multiple purposes. Urinal screens do the same job as urinal mats, but not all urinal mats are also urinal screens.
What are their functions?
Firstly, urinal screens act as splash guards, reducing the amount of urine splatter on the urinal and floor. This not only keeps the restroom cleaner but also helps prevent slip and fall accidents.
Secondly, urinal screens contain fragrances and deodorising agents that release a pleasant scent when urinated on. This dual-action approach masks odours and keeps toilets smelling fresh.
Lastly, some urinal screens are designed with anti-splash fins or bristles that help break up urine streams. This further reduces splashing and ensures a cleaner, more hygienic restroom environment.
The Best Ways to Keep a Public Toilet Clean
Although it’s not one of the most glamorous topics, it is a necessary one. If you’ve ever walked into a public toilet, gagged, and held your breath for as long as possible, I’m sure you would agree!
Keeping a public toilet clean and hygienic is essential to ensure the health and well-being of users. Proper cleaning and maintenance can help prevent the spread of diseases and create a more pleasant experience for everyone. Here are some best practices for maintaining a clean and hygienic public toilet:
1. Regular Cleaning Schedule:
- Frequently inspect and clean the toilets throughout the day, especially during peak usage times.
- Establish a cleaning schedule for staff or cleaners to maintain the cleanliness of the facility.
2. Adequate Cleaning Supplies:
- Ensure ample cleaning supplies are on hand, including disinfectants, urinal cleaner, urinal mats, paper towels, toilet paper and urinal blocks. If the urinal blocks contain benzene, be sure correct handling and ventilation measures are followed.
- Provide rubbish bins for used paper towels and sanitary products.
3. Adequate Ventilation:
- Proper ventilation helps reduce odours and promotes air circulation, which can help maintain a more sanitary environment. As mentioned before, this is crucial if you use urinal cakes that contain paradichlorobenzene. We recommend buying urinal blocks that don’t contain benzene if you can source them. You can find them by googling ‘benzene-free urinal cakes’.
4. Proper Handwashing Facilities:
- Maintain well-functioning sinks with running water, soap dispensers, and paper towels or air dryers for hand drying.
- Regularly check and refill soap and paper towel dispensers.
Maintaining a clean and hygienic public toilet requires ongoing effort and attention to detail. Following these best practices can create a more pleasant and sanitary restroom environment for all users.
Summary
In conclusion, urinal blocks, urinal mats and urinal cleaners may go unnoticed by most public toilet users. However, their role in maintaining cleanliness, hygiene, and a pleasant atmosphere is undeniable. These unsung heroes work silently but diligently to combat odours, prevent clogs, and protect the bathroom environment. Next time you visit a clean and fresh public toilet, take a moment to appreciate these essential components that make your experience a more enjoyable one.
