Are Porta Potties Sanitary?

are porta potties sanitary

Most people expect the worst when they see a porta potty – even just the thought alone can convey some unpleasant perceptions. But, the truth is these aren’t nearly as bad as they’re made out to be. So, are porta potties sanitary?

As the #1 rental provider for portable sanitation solutions in Texas, we want to talk about what has caused these units to get a poor reputation and show you that they’re actually far more sanitary than you may assume.

Modern porta potties are equipped with a number of features that make them more sanitary than they used to be. It’s just a matter of choosing the right rental provider and making sure your units are maintained during the course of your event or job site.

So, if you’re still stressing about the sanitary side of renting portable toilets, continue reading below. We’ll share tips on how to make a porta potty look nice and how to keep porta potty from smelling along with insights on how to clean a porta potty to keep it as tidy and pleasant as possible.

But if you really want to ensure the most sanitary portable toilet experience for your guests or employees, be sure to reach out to Viking Rental. We’re the most trusted choice in Texas and are committed to exceeding your expectations!

Are Porta Potties Sanitary?

Now, let’s get into the elephant in the room. Are porta potties sanitary? It’s no secret that these portable restrooms are met with skepticism when it comes to sanitation, but the reality is that they can be highly sanitary when managed correctly.

Modern porta potties are designed with hygiene in mind. They’re made with advanced materials and features to maintain a clean and comfortable experience.

But, not all portable toilets are created equal, and the way they’re used can make or break their sanitation. The key to maintaining their cleanliness lies in regular maintenance, proper servicing, and the use of high-quality units from a reputable rental company.

Why Portable Toilets Get a Bad Reputation

Let’s take a step back and talk about why these get such a bad name in the first place. Most of it can be traced back to poor maintenance and outdated units.

Portable toilets of the past were basic, often lacking the necessary hygiene features – like proper ventilation, hand sanitizer dispensers, and more. When they weren’t serviced regularly, waste could accumulate, leading to unpleasant odors and unsanitary conditions.

You’ve probably had the displeasure of experiencing this yourself at some point. While these experiences have led many to believe that all porta potties are unsanitary, this is far from the truth.

On the contrary, portable sanitation solutions have come a long way over the past few decades. Advancements include sealed waste tanks, which prevent the spread of germs and control odors, and chemical treatments that break down waste and keep the interior fresh.

Of course, there’s always going to be need for frequent cleaning to maintain sanitary conditions in these units. This is where choosing the right rental partner plays a huge role in ensuring a smooth, successful event.

Don’t worry, we’ll share more tips on where to rent a porta potty shortly. First, we want to look at some of the other benefits of portable restroom facilities.

More Benefits of Portable Restroom Facilities

In some cases, you may not have a choice whether to use a portable toilet or not. Remote job sites and outdoor events often demand the convenience and accessibility of these solutions.

That being said, portable toilets do have their benefits. They can be placed virtually anywhere, providing restroom facilities in locations where traditional restrooms are unavailable or impractical.

Their are environmental considerations at play, too. These use far less water than traditional flush toilets. When you partner with a company that follows portable toilet emptying procedures, you’re doing your part to minimize your impact on the world we live in.

Perhaps most importantly, though, these are an affordable solution. In comparing a porta potty vs bathroom trailer, you might not be getting the same level of frills – but you’re also paying a fraction for the cost to rent porta potty.

So, while a portable toilet may be a far cry from an upscale bathroom in a luxury building, they are completely sanitary – at least, they can be. You just need to find a partner that prioritizes cleanliness and sanitation. We’ll share some tips below to point you in the right direction.

How to Ensure Sanitary Porta Potty Conditions for Your Event or Job Site

Whether you’re planning an event or managing a large job site, the onus is on you to make sure you’re picking the right rental company and keeping your units maintained. You also need to choose the ideal types of porta potties and order enough facilities for your needs.

Choosing the Right Rental Company

Not all providers maintain the same level of service, so if you’re stressing about sanitation, take the time to research your options locally and see which companies go above and beyond to ensure cleanliness and customer satisfaction.

Better yet, see if the company handles regular cleaning and maintenance services as part of their rental agreement. This includes frequent waste removal, replenishment of supplies, and thorough cleaning of the units.

Determining the Right Number of Units

Understanding how many porta potties per person you need is another important consideration from a sanitary perspective, as it ensures the units aren’t getting backed up too quickly. In general, it facilitates a better user experience as well so people aren’t stuck waiting around.

For large events, consider one porta potty for every 50-75 people for a few hours, and more units for all-day events. On the other hand, OSHA recommends job sites have at least one toilet for every 10 workers.

If your event or site includes food and drink vendors, consider increasing the number of units. You also need to make sure to include ADA-compliant units to accommodate all attendees or workers. We have resources on the ADA porta potty dimensions if you’re not sure what porta potty size you need.

Scheduling Regular Maintenance

We’ve touched on this a few times already, but frequent maintenance is the cornerstone of sanitation when it comes to portable toilets. This will not just help you maintain hygienic conditions but more pleasant conditions free of odors.

This is something your rental partner should be able to work with you on, coming up with the optimal maintenance schedule for your unique needs.

Daily cleaning and servicing may be necessary for large events or busy job sites. This will consist of waste removal, restocking supplies, and thorough cleaning of all surfaces.

Hopefully, you don’t need it, but we always recommend having a plan in place for emergency cleaning services in case of unexpected high usage or other issues. This goes back to choosing a rental provider that can respond quickly to any sanitation needs.

Hand Sanitizers, Deodorizers, and Other Ways to Enhance the Experience

Some of this should be included in your porta potty rental agreement as part of the regular servicing – but there are quite a few ways you can enhance the portable toilet experience for users, including:

Hand Sanitizers: Each unit should be equipped with hand sanitizers or handwashing stations. This not only improves hygiene but also reassures users of the cleanliness of the facilities. If necessary, you can rent separate hand washing stations.
Deodorizers: These can be placed inside the waste tank and throughout the unit itself to keep the units smelling fresh. Make sure they’re replenished during regular maintenance visits.
Lighting and Ventilation: Consider adding battery-operated lights for nighttime events and improving ventilation to reduce odors even further.
Floor Mats and Dispensers: Non-slip floor mats and well-stocked toilet paper and hand towel dispensers are often overlooked but equally important for cleanliness and convenience.

Follow these tips and you won’t have to worry about the sanitary side of things when renting a portable toilet. The only thing left to do now is find a rental partner year you that meets your needs. If you’re in the great state of Texas, your search ends here.

Experience the Most Sanitary Porta Potty Experience With Viking Rental!

Viking Rental has more than 50 years of experience serving businesses and individuals alike with everything they need to pull off their events or manage a smooth job site.

We go above and beyond to provide our customers with the latest and greatest in portable toilet advancements while ensuring the units are impeccably clean from the moment they arrive to when we pick them back up. You can count on us to keep them serviced throughout the duration of your rental period.

Our expert customer service team is always available to help you navigate the rental process, too. Whether you aren’t sure which style of unit is right for you or have questions about what you can expect when partnering with us, don’t hesitate to reach out! Here are our most popular styles:

If you’re still stressing about the sanitary side of portable toilets, just know that there are other options at your disposal, too, Our bathroom trailer rentals are sophisticated and almost indistinguishable from traditional restroom facilities indoors.

We have anything else your event might need, too, from temporary fencing to dumpsters. Sanitary portable restroom facilities are just a click or call away, so take the next step today!

Final Thoughts on Porta Potty Sanitation

So, are porta potties sanitary? Contrary to what many believe, yes – these are very sanitary when you choose the right rental provider and service them regularly.

These types of portable sanitation solutions have come a long way, and you can always upgrade to something more sophisticated like a bathroom trailer with flushing toilets if you’re still not sure a porta potty is good enough for your event or job site. Viking Rental has it all.

You can find additional resources in our blog like how to build a restroom trailer, cost to clean a porta potty, how to transport porta potty, how does a porta potty work, do you need a permit for a porta potty, and more.

At this point though, why not experience firsthand how sanitary porta potties can be by partnering with an expert in the field? We’re proud of our reputation for maintaining high standards of cleanliness, and we intend to uphold it. Get in touch today!