5 Tips for Keeping Your Porta Potties Pristine

One of the main reasons people hate porta potties is because of an assumption that they are always “gross”. They smell bad, are dirty, unsanitary and bad for the environment. The truth is that porta-potties – or portable washrooms, porta johns or porta-loos – can be a great, safe and clean alternative when there is no real washroom available. The main differentiator between clean and welcoming porta potties and the undesirable dirty ones is the care, maintenance and upkeep of rental porta potties. Here are 5 tips to keep your rented porta potties pristine and clean for your entire project, event or festival.

1) Inspect and Clean Porta Potties Daily 

Porta potties should be serviced by a technician at least once a week. This technician will empty the holding tank, add extra deodorizer and refill toilet paper and sanitizer supplies. In order to keep your washrooms pristine, however, it’s recommended to do an end-of-day quick wipe down of all surfaces including toilet seats, handles and door locks. It’s also a great idea to check toilet paper levels and sanitizer supply. If your rented a porta potty with a hand washing station outside, check garbages, water tanks, soap dispenser and paper towels as well. 

One of the biggest reasons people hate using porta potties is because they don’t have toilet paper or sanitizer or have garbage all over the place. A daily clean can make a big difference.

2) Place Porta Potties in a Shady Spot or Under a Rented Tent

Hot summer days are perhaps the worst for porta potty use. The plastic huts act as a sauna and the heat can make the smell of waste absolutely terrible. Placing porta potties in a shaded space can make a huge difference in both the comfort, appeal and smell of the washrooms. If your construction site doesn’t have a shady spot that is also accessible for service and on a flat, even surface, rented tents can be a solution. 

Renting a tent to house your porta potty or a handwashing station can help encourage contractors to keep them clean and to actually use them. Shade can make a huge difference.

3) Rent Handwashing Stations Along With Portable Toilets

When working with your hands, having a place to wash them with running water and soap can make a big difference in personal comfort and hygiene. When renting a porta potty for your construction site, consider pairing it with a handwashing station. There are a variety of different types of handwashing stations, including ones that hook up to a water supply and ones that operate on a tank with a foot pump. 

While it may not have a direct connection to the cleanliness of the porta potty itself, many people feel way more confident using one if they know they can wash their hands after. 

4) Set and Maintain Airing-Out Times 

Porta potty doors close automatically to prevent any animals from getting in at night, to reduce any damage caused by winds and to keep doors shut firmly for privacy reasons – even while locked. However, the spring door does have a downside. The porta potty already doesn’t have a lot of ventilation. On hot summer days, it is a great idea to prop doors open for even half an hour at a time to promote airflow and circulation. Not only will it reduce the greenhouse effect within the plastic hut, but it can help remove odors.

5) Rent Enough Porta Potties for the Job

The main way that porta potties get dirty quickly is by overuse. The basic rule of thumb is to have one porta potty for every 7 people on site. Be realistic about the number of contractors, operators, subcontractors and specialists that you will have on site so that you rent enough porta potties to service everyone. While it’s not a rule since porta potties are independent rooms with individual locks, some projects do order and tag specific porta potties for women versus men. 

If you need help deciding how many porta potties you need for your construction site, give the DOZR Team a call and we’d be happy to help you out.

Maintained Porta Potties Make a Difference

With these 5 tips, you can ensure that your porta potties stay clean and pristine for your entire project.