A clean public toilet

Believe it or not, clean and pleasant-smelling restrooms are the secret weapons of a successful tourism campaign.

In 2004 the Department of Tourism recognized the important contribution that clean restrooms can bring to the Philippine tourism industry by spearheading the first-ever Toilet Recognition of the Year (TROY) Awards.

The Awards was a ground-breaking nationwide project that involved key sectors in both government and private enterprise that gave due recognition to the most well-kept restrooms in public and private establishments across the country. The awards aimed to promote a culture of sanitation and hygiene among Filipinos that would help boost tourism and introduce a whole new outlook about the upkeep of one’s immediate environments.

It is a fact. One main problem faced by a lot of government and commercial buildings is the obnoxious smell that comes from ill-kept comfort rooms. Bad odors in restrooms give out a negative impression of the place. And when tourists disembark at airports, visit inter-island bus terminals, or use public and establishment toilets, it is essential that they are greeted by facilities that are clean and odor-free. Cleanliness, as well as the presence of essential toiletries and amenities in public toilets, has been cited by research as one of the basic requirements that tourists and local visitors look for on trips. Clean, well-stacked, pleasant-smelling rest rooms do boost tourism in their quiet way.

What causes foul odor to form in rest rooms? Most of the stinky smell comes from microorganisms and germs that remain floating in the air. Cleaning and maintenance people should know that :

1. Urine residues are breeding places for bacteria, fungi, viruses, and molds. When the urine changes from acid to alkaline, alkaline salts attract more moisture that spurs more bacterial growth which leads to stronger foul odors. Cleaning crews should see to it that all urinals and bowls are properly flushed and spills are cleaned well consistently. It would be a great help to put up posters to remind users to flush the toilet after each use.

2. The warmer the place is, the faster bacteria and viruses will grow. This is why most hospitals are air conditioned – to slow down the growth of bacteria. Which is why it helps to keep toilets well ventilated, or cool.

3. Unemptied trash bins are also a major source of foul odor. Liquid wastes like spilled soft drinks may leak on floors and breed other forms of odor-causing bacteria. Waste and trash should be removed regularly. Disinfectants will help reduce foul odor.

4. Even wet mops add to bath room odors. If not properly cleaned after use, cleaning aids themselves can add to the problem. Bacteria will grow anywhere and any time it is given a chance to. Bacterial growth can be arrested with disinfectants or other chemical solutions.

For more information about maintenance problems and solutions, visit www.chemsearch.ph  or call 687-4839.