Porta-potties, are a great way to make any type of festival, outdoor gathering, or construction site a lot more convenient.
However, while porta-potties and normal toilets operate in a similar way, their needs are very different when it comes to cleaning and maintenance.
Porta potties require a very specific type of cleaning process, which we will review in more detail in this article.
Table of Contents
Cleaning a Porta Potty (3 Main Steps)
1. Empty The Waste
First, in order to have a clean porta-potty, you must remove all the waste that’s inside the tank. Depending on the type of porta potty, you might have a built-in tank or a removable drum. If you have a porta-potty with a removable drum, take it out, get rid of the waste, and clean the drum. On the other hand, if you have a built-in tank, you’ll need a special type of vacuum pump designed for pumping the waste out.
Such tools can sometimes be rented or you can simply schedule the cleaning with an expert company. The process itself of evacuating the waste with the vacuum pump is pretty simple. All you need to do is insert the vacuum pump into the toilet and wait until it pumps out all the waste.
Once all the waste has been pumped out, it should be transported to the nearest wastewater facility and treated properly.
2. Disinfecting And Cleaning
Thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the porta potty is essential. Some advantages of proper cleaning include:
- Preventing bacteria from growing
- Reducing odors
- Keeping the surrounding area safe and hygienic
It’s important to know how thoroughly you should clean. A simple wiping down of the surrounding areas as well as the toilet seat is the bare minimum. To get an even cleaner finish, you can scrub the floor and the walls around the potty. Make sure to use proper cleaning solutions to ensure a sufficient clean as well.
Further, you should never keep porta-potties closed when you are not using them. Although it might seem like a good idea to block off a porta-potty, closing the door prevents the toilet from ‘airing out’ between uses, which can help prevent odor build-up. Therefore, after using a porta-potty, leave the door open for about 30 minutes.
If something fell in the porta-potty toilet, read this disinfecting guide.
3. Spruce Everything Up
After emptying, cleaning, and disinfecting the porta-potty, it is ready for use. Be sure to add new water as well as refresh the additive to keep the smell fresh for a little longer. Plus, if you have enough time, you could add extra elements like air fresheners or hand sanitizers to enhance the overall experience.
Should I Hire a Professional Instead?
If all the tips we mentioned sound like more than you are willing to take on, definitely consider hiring a professional. Often times you can coordinate with the company who provided the porta potties to also handle maintenance.
The Bottom Line
Having a clean and disinfected porta potty is very important, from preventing bacteria build-up to making the user experience a lot more pleasant. It does require a certain amount of work to go through each of the steps outlined above.
Depending on your comfort level and availability, hiring a professional is another great option to ensure your porta potties stay clean and well-maintained.