Porta potties have a reputation for being gross, smelly, and ill-maintained. This can make people reluctant to use them. It can make people think that renting them for an event makes them look bad. However, this isn’t always the case.
Of course, it’s up to either you or the company you’re renting from to ensure that the porta potties remain sanitary places. That is a caveat to all of this, because if you don’t maintain the porta potties, then you can make the following myths realities.
That said, there are some persistent myths about porta potties that aren’t true when the porta potties are taken care of properly.
#1. Porta-Potties Are Unsanitary
As previously mentioned, this depends on whether or not you’re maintaining them. However, if you’re on top of maintenance, they can stay clean. If you are renting, the company will clean and sanitize the porta potties between each use.
#2. Porta-Potties Are Smelly
They definitely can be when they are not cleaned and maintained. In order to keep them from becoming smelly, ensure that you have plans in place for waste removal and regular cleaning.
Porta potties can also have vents, in order to get fresh air in them.
#3. Porta-Potties Can Only Be Used For Informal Events
With their reputation, you may think porta-potties are best for construction sites, concerts, or food festivals. You may think that using them at a formal event will instantly turn it trashy.
However, there are special types of porta potties that give more of a traditional bathroom experience. These are ideal for weddings and other more formal events. Restroom trailers have running water, stalls, mirrors, nice floors, and more. This helps to maintain the atmosphere of the event by ensuring the guests have a clean, put-together place to see to their needs.
#4. Porta-Potties Are Trashy
If there are no restroom facilities in the area or you are not allowed to use the restroom facilities in the area, porta-potties provide a way for people to see to their needs in relative comfort. They’re infinitely better than squatting in the woods or having to leave a place in order to find an open restroom.
#5. Porta-Potties Aren’t Maintained
So, this is where it depends. If you purchased the porta potty, then it is up to you to maintain it. If you rent it, the company may or may not offer maintenance. You will want to check with them prior to renting so that you can make arrangements for maintenance if needed.
If the company does offer maintenance, it will be done on a regular basis, like every night at a multiple-day festival.
If they don’t, you will need to make arrangements to ensure it is clean.
#6. You Can’t Wash Your Hands
This is another way people think porta-potties are gross and unsanitary. In truth, porta potties typically have hand sanitizers you can cleanse your hands with. You could also rent a handwash station for people to use when they come out of the porta-potty.
Some porta-potties have sinks in them that you can use, as is most often seen in restroom trailers.
#7. Porta-Potties Don’t Have Amenities
Another common porta potty myth is that they only have a toilet and nothing else. This isn’t always the case. Indeed, they can have the amenities of an indoor bathroom. This is especially true with restroom trailers. Some porta potties have sinks, lights, mirrors, and more.
For those without sinks, you can get handwash stations to place outside of them. That way, people can easily wash their hands and keep everyone cleaner and safer.
#8. Porta-Potties Aren’t ADA Friendly
It’s true that not all porta potties are ADA-compliant. However, there are indeed ADA-friendly porta potties out there. They have the space needed for people in wheelchairs to get in and out and to maneuver around them.
#9. Porta-Potties Will Tip Over
They can tip over if they are not secured, either from strong winds or people being malicious. However, they can be staked down and strategically placed in order to prevent this from happening.
#10. Porta-Potties Can’t Hold Enough Waste
There are actually guidelines that you can follow in order to ensure that you rent enough porta-potties for your event. OSHA has regulations about the number of porta-potties needed at worksites. So long as you have enough porta-potties and you have them regularly maintained, you should be fine.
Do You Need To Rent Porta-Potties?
Contact us here Canyon View Dumpsters & Toilets! We offer porta-potties, both ADA-accessible and not, as well as restroom trailers and handwash stations.
