Why air and surface purification is the key to effective and sustainable washroom hygiene

It’s fair to say that washrooms aren’t always the most hygienic of places. The wet and humid environment creates ideal conditions for bacteria to breed and spread, while the effect of toilet plume (the dispersal of microscopic particles due to flushing a toilet) contaminates the air with pathogens that can settle on surfaces. It’s here that we frequently see the use of harsh chemicals applied. However, thanks to advancements in cleaning technology, there are now more sophisticated and environmentally friendly ways to disinfect washrooms and keep bacteria at bay.

Robert Scott’s own customer research found that 78% of cleaning businesses ranked sustainability as being much more important to their customers in 2023, compared with just 51% who said the same in 2022. As a sector that’s worth nearly £59bn a year to the UK’s economy , and has historically been one of the biggest contributors to waste and contamination, these figures highlight a clear and encouraging step change in the cleaning industry’s mission to go green.

One development that has aided a move away from removing the need for chemicals, and the single-use plastic bottles they’re suppled in, is air and surface purifiers such as Robert Scott’s PowerZone and Aircare range. Using chemical-free, UVC light technology, these units effectively remove germs and odours while producing purifying ozone and photoplasma disinfection, to improve overall air quality and reduce organic matter – both on surfaces and in the air.

Significantly more sustainable than traditional cleaning methods, this natural solution has been shown to deliver a 70% reduction of micro-organisms in the air and can destroy viruses including influenza, E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella, as well as bacteria, mould, and other micro-contaminants.

While education and uptake of more eco-friendly cleaning solutions are on the rise, against the backdrop of cost-of-living pressures it’s vital that truly innovative washroom technology is financially viable too. Our research also found that 68% of customers rated ‘demonstrating value for money’ as their biggest priority for 2023, making it clear that many businesses continue to feel the pinch.

Improved durability and longevity of cleaning products and solutions are a must to ensure that businesses – even at the most basic level – can protect their capital.  Similarly, unexpected costs associated with maintenance and wear and tear must be well managed and accounted for.

Air and surface purifiers run automatically and require very minimal maintenance with just a UV lamp change every 12 months. It’s important to observe this annual bulb swap as UV lights will continue to emit light even after a year, giving the impression that they are still effective.

It’s important to select the right sized units to suit the size of the washroom. Ranging from 10-20m3 up to rooms sizes of 30- 50m3, choosing the right solution is key to ensuring optimum cleaning and purification.

In the wake of COVID-19, public expectations for washrooms to be safe and hygienic have understandably increased. Meanwhile, the effort to improve sustainability in all areas of our lives and specifically, in business, has been placed under a spotlight.

Encouragingly, as the future of washrooms looks to become smarter and more high-tech, the opportunity for businesses to improve the effectiveness of cleaning and reduce the spread of germs, all while gaining green credentials, becomes a much greater possibility.