With summer in full swing, you have likely been enjoying all of the fun activities that the season has to offer. Festivals, parades, and picnics are all great ways to enjoy the warm weather and the great outdoors, but they can also have a notable downside: outdoor restroom alternatives.
While not all restroom alternatives are inherently problematic, such as luxury restroom rentals, the manners some people have or don’t tend to alter our experience when we need to go. Poor manners in any public bathroom are noticeable, but even more so in an alternative restroom setup.
On behalf of everyone who has had a nasty experience in outdoor restrooms this summer, we decided to combat the epidemic of afternoons ruined by unflushed toilets, wet floors, and no toilet paper. We put together a guide on all things portable restroom etiquette. Together, we can beat gross bathrooms once and for all…or at least until next summer.
The Line Up
Good portable restroom etiquette starts before you even step through the door. If there is a long line to the facilities, be patient. No one likes the person trying to push their way to the front, citing how much they need to use the bathroom. Unfortunately, everyone there does; that’s why there’s a line. While the problems of kindergarten can sometimes be the problems of adulthood, don’t be that person. Instead, if you’ve found lines and line-cutters to be a recurrent issue, you can always suggest to the organizer they snag a few more portable restroom trailer rentals for the next event.
Lock It Down
We know it’s a given, but it must be said: please lock the door behind you. Nothing is more awkward than walking in on someone doing their business or being walked in on yourself. Take a second and make sure you lock the door.
Be Quick
Once you get in the bathroom, don’t forget about the ones you left behind…out in the line, that is. While it’s important to be patient when you are waiting in line, it is even more important not to waste time while you are in the unit.
A restroom trailer shared by many people is not the place for sending emails, making phone calls, or secretly watching the big game on your phone. At any given time, there could be a line forming to use the facilities, so be kind and don’t waste everyone's time. Get in, get out, but don’t forget the following few steps.
Flush Properly
It’s good bathroom etiquette in any restroom to flush the toilet when you are done, and a mobile restroom trailer is no exception. Flushing correctly is not just about flushing your business away, though. More than anywhere else, it is essential not to flush away trash, food, sanitary products, or other objects down the toilet. These items can cause blockages that may clog more than just a single toilet but the whole trailer. Nothing ruins a party or event more than overflowing waste, so don’t be a party pooper; make sure only to flush what belongs in a toilet.
Wash Your Hands
Your parents reminded you as a child, and here we are reminding you as well to wash your hands after you go. Seriously though, one of the main benefits of portable bathroom trailers is that they come with sinks with fresh running water and hand soap, so take advantage. They are just another form of communal restrooms, no matter what event or location you’re frequenting. Many people use them, and the surfaces are shared. When you choose not to wash your hands after you use the toilet, you spread the bacteria onto everything you touch, and because other people are touching the same surfaces, you are spreading germs to others, too. Stop the spread of illnesses, germs, and bacteria, and wash your hands.
Additionally, after you are done washing your hands, be sure to look at the countertop. If you see that some water went rogue and left the sink for the counter, wipe it up with a paper towel. It only takes a few seconds, but it is good manners and leaves the facility nice and clean for the next guest.
Keep It Clean
As it is a good rule of thumb anywhere, you should leave the trailer better than you found it. Placing all your trash in the bins provided, putting the toilet seat down, and cleaning up any messes or spills you may have had are all key aspects of proper trailer etiquette and are generally just the right things to do.
Did you know that toilet lids have a hygienic purpose? When you flush a toilet, it can actually launch bacteria and germs into the air. By closing the toilet lid before you flush, you prevent the spread of extra nasties. You can also implement this and other tips you’ve learned at home!
Keep Staff in the Loop
If you see that toilet paper or paper towels are running low in a unit, a clogged toilet, or a lightbulb that’s gone out, let someone know. This helps them keep on top of things before they become major problems and ensures that all guests can have a great experience. We’re sure the staff will appreciate a kind tip-off regarding the status of the trailers.
