FEATURE WASHROOMS
KEEPING WASHROOMS
SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE
With more people returning to o ces and public spaces, it’s vital to ensure that washrooms are
clean, hygienic and e ciently run facilities that people will be confi dent using. Paul Mulready,
Marketing Manager of Northwood Hygiene Products Ltd looks at what washrooms can deliver
With COVID now an accepted presence in our
lives, our wellbeing remains important and
businesses must ensure their buildings are kept
as infection-free as possible. Providing clean
and well-maintained premises is a challenge for
facilities managers, placing greater pressure on
them to ensure workplaces and public spaces
resume normal activity safely.
From the moment people enter a building to
when they visit the washroom, they expect to be
reassured that all spaces are clean and safe. As well
as providing an indication of the overall cleanliness
of a building, washrooms play a fundamental role in
helping to minimise the spread of viruses and germs.
However, it’s vital to ensure that washroom
systems don’t just deliver optimal hygiene – they
must be sustainable, robust and easy to maintain
too. So, what do facilities managers need to consider
when choosing their solution?
IS YOUR WASHROOM TIDY AND WELL-STOCKED?
Greater washroom use means that supplies of soap
and towels deplete faster, requiring more frequent
replenishment. Washrooms must be well-managed,
with a continuous supply of soap and paper to allow
visitors to wash and dry their hands and prevent
them lingering in the washroom looking for supplies.
High-capacity units ensure a lasting supply and
help to reduce frustrating run-outs for washroom
users, as well as cutting down on the number of
service visits required by operatives to restock.
Minimising the time that maintenance teams need
to spend in washrooms is clearly important, so it’s
helpful to have dispensers that are quick and easy
to replenish. Cleaning operatives need to be able
to see at a glance if paper dispensers need refilling,
so it’s worth looking for ones with clear inspection
windows that clearly show if they are nearly empty.
Lockable dispensers (ideally with keyed alike
locks, so one key fits all units), deter vandalism and
pilferage and reduce subsequent janitorial time to fix
problems.
HOW CLEAN DOES YOUR WASHROOM LOOK?
People naturally want to feel confident that the
washroom is being cleaned frequently, so it’s
important to show that it is properly maintained
by keeping it tidy and clearly displaying up-to-date
details of cleaning schedules.
Dripping soap dispensers or bins overflowing with
hand towels is unsightly, so it’s worth considering
46 APRIL 2022
non-drip soap dispensers and high-capacity,
controlled-use devices that restrict the use paper and
prevent over usage.
It can help to enhance hygiene in the washroom
by minimising touch points. Contactless paper
dispensers where people only need to touch the
paper they will use help to reduce the spread of
germs.
WHAT ABOUT HAND DRYING?
Damp hands spread more germs, so it’s essential
to look for hygienic hand drying solutions. Paper
towels are an e ective option as they dry hands
more quickly and hygienically than air dryers and
can be used by visitors as a barrier to avoid touching
the door handle when exiting the washroom. Hand
towel dispensers that dispense one sheet at a time in
economical sheet lengths help to reduce waste and
costs when consumption is likely to be higher.
More washroom footfall subjects the dispensers
themselves to more wear and tear than usual, so
units need to be durable as well as functional. FMs
should seek out dispensers that are made from
hardwearing materials that can withstand heavy use.
IS YOUR WASHROOM SUSTAINABLE?
Sustainability is a pressing issue, so FMs should
consider how they can make their washrooms
more environmentally-friendly. Does your current
system use recycled materials where possible, with
no unnecessary packaging? Is it designed to reduce
over-use and create zero waste?
A solution like North Shore from Northwood
for instance helps to deliver improved washroom
hygiene standards, whilst also saving money and
reducing waste. Designed to deliver zero waste and
volume in use, it reduces the amount of deliveries
of paper, lessens the quantity of packaging required
and cuts the number of trucks on the road.
DO YOU HAVE HYGIENE REMINDERS IN
YOUR WASHROOM?
For facilities managers, their role is more important
than ever as they play a crucial part in helping
to keep people safe in the coming months.
Communication will play an important role in
helping ensure washrooms users support that
e ort. For that reason, the use of posters on good
handwashing and drying techniques are helpful
reminders for people and convey that you are serious
about hygiene.
Many people will still be nervous about entering
workplaces and public spaces and it’s important for
facilities managers to play their part by developing
practical and sustainable washroom strategies
that maximise hygiene and speed up time in the
washroom, whilst also reducing the workload for
cleaning operatives.