7 common pitfalls in commercial washrooms – and how to avoid them

No matter what business or industry you’re in, there are some aspects of your workspace that are non-negotiable. From impressive showrooms right through to a practical office block, your facilities need to reflect your brand and support your team and customers.

Your bathrooms will play a huge role in this. This is because commercial washrooms can leave a lasting impression on customers, employees and visitors alike.

If they are poorly designed or maintained, this can cause frustration, damage your brand reputation, and even create compliance risks, such as health and safety breaches.

So, to help you avoid some of the most frequent mistakes business owners make, we’ve put together this list of seven common pitfalls found in commercial washrooms, along with some practical ways to address these issues.

1. Low standards of cleanliness and poor hygiene 

One of the quickest ways to create a negative impression of your business is through unclean and unhygienic facilities.

Overflowing bins, dirty surfaces and floors, smudged mirrors, and a lack of soap or sanitiser are all signs of neglect that can make visitors reluctant to return.

This is bad news for customers or visitors and even worse for staff who may need to use the facilities multiple times during the day.

How to avoid it

There are two key ways you can make sure that your commercial washrooms stay clean and hygienic at all times.

Firstly, ensure that your bathrooms are designed with hygiene in mind. This might include easy-to-clean surfaces, wall-mounted sinks and toilets, and touch-free technology.

This reduces the number of touch points and hidden corners where dirt and bacteria can build up. This also makes your bathrooms easier to clean.

It is also important to get a structured cleaning schedule in place, with clear responsibilities set out. You can implement cleaning checklists to ensure all areas are cleaned and maintained to the highest possible standard. Regular audits and feedback loops can also help to keep cleanliness satisfactory and consistent.

2. Neglecting maintenance and repairs

As well as unclean toilets, broken locks, dripping taps, flickering lights and out-of-order signs will all reflect poorly on a business. Beyond appearances, these issues can also waste resources and increase running costs.

This also means there are fewer safe, functioning facilities for your guests to use, creating delays, upset and possibly even avoidance. 

How to avoid it

Firstly, we suggest that you choose the most durable and robust fixtures, fittings and surfaces for your washrooms. Those that can withstand high foot traffic and will stay clean, attractive and functional for as long as possible.

It’s also vital that you conduct regular maintenance checks and encourage staff to report any faults they may notice as quickly as possible. If you can establish a rapid response protocol for repairs, especially for important fixtures, such as toilets and sinks, you can reduce disruption and downtime.

3. Insufficient handwashing and drying facilities

There are few things more frustrating than waiting in line for a sink or discovering an empty soap dispenser when you’ve used public bathrooms.

Likewise, inadequate hand-drying options (like broken hand dryers or empty paper towel dispensers) can discourage proper hygiene and mean people are walking out with unclean or uncomfortable, wet hands.

How to avoid it

It’s vital that you provide more than enough soap, water and drying stations to manage the demands of your business. You can work this out based on your available space and the number of people using your facilities on a daily basis.

You should install touch-free soap dispensers and hand dryers where possible to minimise the spread of germs. You must also regularly monitor the supply levels with staff checks or smart dispensers that track usage in real-time.

4. Bad ventilation 

Poor ventilation can cause a number of problems in your commercial bathrooms. For one thing, unpleasant, lingering odours can quickly turn even the cleanest washrooms into a very unappealing environment.

Not only that, but bad smells can cause users to lose confidence in your facility’s hygiene. Plus, the buildup of moisture can be a breeding ground for germs, mould and mildew. 

How to avoid it

Be sure to install effective ventilation systems with continuous airflow and to regularly service your extraction fans and HVAC filters.

If you have the option to install windows, or you already have windows in these spaces, ensure these can be opened to allow for airflow without compromising the privacy of users.

You can also introduce odour-control solutions like discreet air fresheners or automatic fragrance dispensers. But remember, these should be used to complement your washrooms, not as a substitute for proper ventilation.

5. Inaccessible or non-compliant design

Failing to provide accessible washrooms not only excludes visitors and employees with disabilities but may also breach local regulations and building codes.

And it’s not as simple as not having a disabled toilet, it can be some of the more common issues, such as narrow doorways, lack of grab bars or sinks placed too high to reach. 

How to avoid it

You need to design and build your washrooms with accessibility in mind right from the start, and for some, this could mean revisiting your current layout and considering a refurbishment.

By understanding the local rules and regulations, you can make sure that you are compliant at all times. Installing features like wider toilet cubicles, lowered sinks and automatic doors can create a more inclusive experience for all users.

6. Lack of privacy

Large gaps in between your toilet cubicles, poorly positioned urinals or insufficient soundproofing can make these spaces feel uncomfortable for users. 

This lack of privacy reduces their feelings of safety and security and may even discourage people from using your facilities.

How to avoid it

Consider choosing floor-to-ceiling toilet cubicle systems that minimise gaps and maximise privacy and soundproofing.

You should also think about the layout of your washrooms and position urinals with adequate spacing. You could also install dividers if you are short on space and want to increase privacy.

Where possible, add sound-dampening materials. You might even consider installing speakers that play soft music or the local radio station to improve acoustic privacy. 

7. Overlooking sustainability and efficiency

Lastly, outdated fixtures could be wasting a huge amount of water and energy, increasing utility bills and having a much bigger environmental impact.

Nowadays, visitors and employees are also increasingly aware of sustainability and our need to protect the planet in any way we can, so they may even judge your business negatively if it appears wasteful.

How to avoid it

Make sure to upgrade your fixtures to more eco-friendly options, for example, water-saving taps, dual-flush toilets, automatic lighting and energy-efficient hand dryers.

You could also choose sustainable products for your washrooms, such as recycled paper products, natural soaps and environmentally friendly cleaning products. Clear signage around your bathrooms can highlight your sustainability efforts, reinforcing a positive brand image.

Do you recognise any of these mistakes? 

If any of these common mistakes sound familiar, it might be time to redesign or refurbish your commercial washrooms. These facilities are so much more than just a functional necessity; they reflect the values and professionalism of your business.

By addressing these common pitfalls as quickly as possible, you can create a space that’s not only compliant and efficient but also leaves a lasting positive impression on every visitor.

And if you need help doing that, then you are in the right place. Get in touch with our team today to find out more about how we can help upgrade your commercial washrooms this year.