For being humble plastic boxes, portaloos sure are home to some weird and wonderful myths. Some are hangovers from older memories that people haven’t quite let go of, others are flat out wrong. In truth, modern portaloos and hire companies are usually very good about providing a clean and safe product that you absolutely don’t need to be afraid of. But we want to help put your mind at ease a little more. So we are going to do some portaloo myth-busting and take care of any lingering doubts you might have.
They're Unsanitary
Not True. Actually, it’s pretty much the opposite. Imagine what that music festival you went to would have been like if the organisers hadn’t supplied portaloos. Probably a lot messier and a lot less fun.
Any time humans are getting together in one spot, it’s important to provide waste disposal, including toilets. Where there are no toilets, portaloos are the next best bet. And they’re not just sanitary because they keep people from ducking into the woods to take care of business. Portaloos also get cleaned thoroughly every time they’re serviced. That’s usually done with strong anti-bacterial sprays that can make even the dirtiest surface sparkling clean. Those same portaloos are also cleaned all over before they get delivered to the site. We use a special vapour system to fill the entire cubicle with anti-bacterial mist to kill any germs that are hanging around. Plus, portaloos are designed to be easy to clean. That means there aren’t many places for germs to hide.
You Can't Wash Your Hands
Nope. This might have been true back in the day, but we’re living in the 21st century. There are now portaloo toilet hire options that can take care of everything from classic thrones to urinals, sinks and even showers. Since washing hands is one of the most important parts of managing the wellbeing of guests at an event, hand washing stations are popular portable toilet products. Even if there aren’t dedicated handwashing stations, most portaloos now include hand sanitiser options to make sure everyone gets a chance to clean their hands.
You Only Need One
Definitely wrong! We get it, we’ve all been left standing around waiting for a disappointingly small number of portaloos. But that’s not the norm and it’s definitely not okay. If you’re hosting a small party then you can probably get away with one portaloo, but for anything bigger, you will need to look into a portaloo for hire. Our rule of thumb is usually that you want one portaloo for every 50 people. The exact amount you need depends on the number of guests, the type of event and how long it will go for. But, no matter what the minimum number is, it’s always a good idea to order a few extra toilets for redundancy and to make them easier to service and clean.
They Smell!
They definitely shouldn’t. Older portaloo designs weren’t equipped with proper ventilation and they could develop wafty issues, especially on hot days. Manufacturers now go to way more trouble to ventilate portaloos. Proper airflow is one of the biggest factors in eliminating the smell. Otherwise, the way portaloos smell all comes down to proper maintenance and cleaning. The chemicals used in the holding tanks are designed to kill bacteria that cause bad smells, so getting them regularly serviced and emptied is the key. Portaloos that smell fresh are the sign of a company that’s doing a good job of cleaning and managing the waste.
Got an Event Coming Up? Hire Portaloos with Poles & Holes!
Planning an event? The team at Poles & Holes would be happy to help! We’re an experienced bunch with access to modern portaloos and portable bathroom solutions to suit events of all shapes and sizes. Whether you’re hosting a festival or building a high rise, we can help. Oh, and our portaloos are all cleaned thoroughly before delivery and serviced properly while in use, so you won’t struggle with any of those old myths. Get in touch with our team to discuss your event and we can help you figure out exactly what you’ll need.
