Self Cleaning Public Toilets

Self cleaning public toilets have an array of advantages, as well as many disadvantages. This has caused them to be a point of many discussions both in public and among private individuals. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of self cleaning public toilets are briefly described here, allowing readers to make up their own mind as to whether they are a good thing or bad thing to have.

Advantage of Self Cleaning Public Toilets

One of the main advantages is the fact that these toilets clean themselves after each and every use. Once a person has left, the facility automatically locks itself and performs a cleaning cycle.

Even the most industrious of attendants in regular public restrooms is not always able to clean each toilet and sink immediately after use and before the next person goes in, especially in busy locations.

The self cleaning toilets therefore provide a much cleaner, hygienic environment to visit, guaranteeing the health and safety from infections of each and every successive visitor. As a rule, self cleaning toilets have an altogether more pleasant, cleaner look about them and most individuals will feel safer entering them.

In addition, the cost of having to employ attendants is removed, freeing the money saved for other important public projects – or even additional provision of public conveniences. It also appears that vandals are less likely to invade and destroy self cleaning toilets, as they usually remain locked until a coin is put in to open them.

Disadvantages of Self Cleaning Public Toilets

The initial cost of installing self cleaning public toilets is fairly high. As well as regularly using fairly large amounts of electricity and water, they also require maintenance contracts to ensure they remain fully operational.

The fact that the costs of installing and running them is comparatively much higher than the cost of ordinary public restrooms often results in just a single stall being provided. At busy times, this, combined with the fact that each visitor will automatically be followed by a cleaning cycle during which the toilet is inaccessible, long queues are frequently inevitable.

Many self cleaning toilets are not large enough to accommodate wheelchair users, making installation of specially designed, even more expensive facilities necessary.

It is also not possible for children to use most of these self cleaning public toilets on their own, as their presence may not be detected by the unit’s sensors and a cleaning cycle may commence with them still inside it.

Due to the cost involved, many, if not all, self cleaning public toilets require individuals wishing to use them to pay for the convenience, something many individuals are not too happy about.

Final Thoughts on Self Cleaning Public Toilets

It is clear that the question whether these toilets are a good idea or not depends greatly on the beholders point of view. While it is great to see toilets that provide a hygienic, safe environment free from germs, some of the disadvantages may swing the more cost-conscious individual against them.