9 Antibacterial Product Choices for Commercial Washrooms

Many bathroom fittings include additives that stop bacterial growth, like the Microban® of Koala baby changing tables or the BioCote® Silver Ion Technology of our Ponte Giulio grab bars. However, there are sanitary appliances and accessories whose design, purpose or main material are antimicrobial per se, preventing cross contamination on clean hands as well as on clothes and bags.

1) Coat hooks

Placing our belongings on a wet or dirty floor is the perfect way to take bacterial colonies with us, so users value heavy duty clothes hooks fixed to every cubicle door.

2) Toilet seat cover or cleaner

In order to offer the cleanest toilet seat, facilities can either propose a disposable cover solution or one that entails that visitors contribute to cleaning the seat. The first option consists of a toilet seat cover dispenser that holds individual paper covers, aiming to avoid bacteria transfer. Regarding the alternative, people could use paper tissue and sanitiser gel from a toilet seat cleaner dispenser to wipe the toilet seat.

3) Toilet tissue dispenser

Interleaved individual sheets mean that only the first sheet is exposed to air and others' touch, with no chance to reach the floor. Furthermore, toilet tissue dispensers save paper and most models might be easier to use by those with reduced mobility in comparison with toilet roll holders.

4) Quartz or copper countertops

Kitchen or bathroom countertops made of materials such as quartz or copper kill germs like E. Coli and norovirus, so it is advisable to consider them for vanity tops, especially in healthcare and education, should room finishes and budget allow it.

5) Self-closing taps

Lever operated faucets require that users touch again levers full of microbes after washing their hands, cancelling out almost all effects of the soap and water. Fortunately, in order to remove the need to manually stop the water flow, the market has been supplying push button taps for decades and sensor taps more recently. Note, nonetheless, that press taps will not close automatically unless there is a minimum level of water pressure; among other positive features, sensor taps significantly diminish cleaning time on washroom countertops.

6) Automatic hand dryer

Although it may look obvious, there are two main steps to clean hands properly that not everyone does: washing hands thoroughly with soapy water and drying them completely, since remaining water favours bacteria growth. A lot of the electrical hand dryers we provide have high speed drying times to beat impatience and come equipped with hygienic characteristics such as infrared sensor, HEPA filter to clean the exit airflow or scientifically tested Cold Plasma Technology.

7) Touchless paper towel dispensing

As a complement for hand dryers or a noiseless item for quiet areas, one can choose paper towel dispensers bearing in mind that only one paper towel should be displayed per action. In this sense, we would recommend dispensers for folded paper towels or those that have an inner mechanism to cut the paper roll (like automatic paper towel dispensers or dispensers with autocut).

8) Bathroom waste bins with open top, half dome or foot operation

Touching waste bin lids can be another source of bacterial contamination. Whilst open top bathroom bins and waste chutes are very hygienic, they are not the best with respect to smell. Partially covered bins seem a middle term product. To conceal odours and avoid contact with hands, pedal operated bins stand out as the most comprehensive receptacles, as long as the hinged system is working, of course.

9) Flip door

We would have achieved nothing if when users head for the main washroom door they have little choice but to touch a handle full of germs. In spite of the fact that people are aware of such threat and try to elbow operate the door handle, designers and fitters could select a main door without lock, which allows you to enter and leave the washroom by just pushing the hinged panel with your feet or body. Ideally, main doors should be automatic so that any type of visitor could be welcome at the washroom, including people with disabilities.

There are other measures for toilet cubicles and commercial washrooms that could reduce germs and enhance hygiene before washing hands, for example, installing sanitary bag dispensers or touchless liquid soap dispensers.

As we intended to prove, product layout, type and component have also an impact on washroom hygiene, the essential feature at high risk or extreme traffic areas like hospitals, airports, stadiums or shopping centres. At IFS we sell a diverse range of products that can be convenient for public buildings with regards to performance, safety and comfort. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any request or formal orders.