Why are Toilets, Sinks and Urinals Made of Porcelain?

Why are Toilets, Sinks and Urinals Made of Porcelain?

Why are Toilets, Sinks and Urinals Made of Porcelain?

Bathroom fixtures need to be sturdy, waterproof, and in the case of a toilet and urinal, designed to be a flushing engine.

 

Have you wondered that yourself? Not only are our personal toilets and sinks in our bathrooms in our homes made of porcelain but so are most public restrooms.

We have been sitting on the same type of toilet thrones for centuries. Is there not something different that could do the same job in our modern times?

Nope!

These bathroom fixtures need to be sturdy, waterproof, and in the case of a toilet and urinal, designed to be a flushing engine.

They are very efficient waste removers and there is a lot of intricate engineering behind your behind.

Vitreous china toilets (what we call porcelain) are made from clay and water. It’s a fairly inexpensive manufacturing process, which includes being poured into a mold, finished, glazed, and then sent through a kiln.

We use plastic on the seat cover on the toilet, but plastic is not durable enough to have it in the main role. Porcelain will not break under the weight of a hard landing.

Stainless steel toilets, like you see in jail, are very strong but are sensitive to temperature.

You do not want to sit on one when it is cold. Porcelain, not so much. Plus, they did not want to use something like porcelain that could be shattered and then the pieces used as a weapon in a penitentiary.

Rachel Swaby on her blog said: “Porcelain is a champ of shrugging off water. It may sound simple, but a porous material will allow liquid and bacteria in, so being impervious to both is important in a structure that’s main job is to deal with waste. The key to keeping water out, is in the porcelain glaze. After the toilet is coated, it’s fired in a kiln. Unlike, say, grout in a shower, which takes on both water and bacteria, the glaze stops bacteria at the toilet’s surface.”

A defective toilet is a bad thing no matter where you are when you need one.

In public restrooms it can be particularly annoying and unsightly so that is why Team JaniWrap invented and sells temporary out-of-order covers that can be used until the fixture can be fixed.

They are beautiful, do not take away from the overall appearance of the restroom, and are easy to apply.

People ask Team JaniWrap all the time: “Can you tell me why your temporary covers adhere so well to porcelain restroom fixtures?”

I always tell them: “It’s a proprietary blend of adhesives designed for instant tack, long adhesion, and clean release.”

Go here to find out more about our Temporary Out-of-order Covers

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Public Restrooms Virus Free

Public Restrooms Virus Free

Public Restrooms Virus Free

Public Restrooms Virus Free

 

Note: JaniWrap receives no compensation nor has any affiliation whatsoever with the products mentioned in this article beyond our expressed opinion.

 

JaniWrap has deep roots in facilities management and as such we have a good understanding of what is involved in maintaining a clean and safe interior environment – including restrooms. 

The janitorial market today is rife with tools and programs to ensure visiting a restroom is a pleasant experience and that there will always be plenty of tissue, soap and hand towels available for visitors and staff. 

From sophisticated WIFI monitoring systems to elaborate training and old school cleaning schedules they all have one goal in mind, and that is to keep people safe and happy.

One of the first impressions people get when they enter a restroom that utilizes JaniWrap Toilet/Urinal Covers is that someone cares about their well-being. 

Their visual senses are not assaulted with conspicuous garbage bags, caution tape, or other similar means of notifying them that a fixture is out of service. 

Gaining people’s trust is arguably one of the most important facets of maintaining public restrooms, and first impressions go a long way in this regard.

Public Restrooms Virus Free

 

However crucial the visual impact a restroom has on a visitor though, the maintenance routine to the fixtures, walls, surfaces and touch-points is equally important as each facet of care impacts the others e.g., surfaces must be cleaned prior to being disinfected to reap the full benefits of the disinfecting chemical.

There are many cleaning solutions and fast acting disinfectants available today with many products EPA rated to kill all manner of viruses including COVID 19, but they are not the focus here. 

Two lesser known and sometimes overlooked options in combating germs and viruses are microbial paint and barrier coatings.

Public Restrooms Virus Free

JaniWrap Tip #1:  Sherwin Williams Paint Shield Microbicidal Paint. 

This paint is the first EPA registered paint that kills greater than 99.9% of bacteria (which causes odor), including Staph, MRSA, E. Coli, VRE and other pathogens. 

The killing of these harmful bacteria on painted surfaces offers a new way to neutralize disease-causing bacteria on high-traffic/high-touch point surfaces.

This paint is most useful in areas of that support large groups of persons. 

It’s also valuable when people know the extent the owner goes to ensure a safe environment for visitors and occupants of the building.

  

JaniWrap Tip #2:  PreventX

PreventX is an invisible antimicrobial finish that inhibits the growth of a wide range of bacterial and viral contaminants. 

It provides a long-lasting protective surface not affected by regular daily cleaning and depending on the surface treated lasts 30 days. 

 

Imagine the touch-points…

…in a restroom or building that can be protected from cross-contamination and transfer for long periods of time and the man hours of cost savings not having to continuously wipe down surfaces only to have them ready to be infected all over again.

The level of care and concern for personal safety in public environments during this health crisis continues to be truly extraordinary and JaniWrap is privileged to be part of this tremendous campaign and doing our part in providing effective and  aesthetically pleasing products to enhance restrooms worldwide. 

 

For more information on our JaniWrap business of out-of-order signs and temporary cover wraps for Public Restroom Toilets, Urinals and Sinks.

 

  

COVID-19 and Public Restrooms

COVID-19 and Public Restrooms

COVID-19 and Public Restrooms

COVID-19 and Public Restrooms   

 

Social distancing affects everyone in most buildings and locations including the public restroom.  In an effort to maintain six-foot physical distancing in restrooms, the creativity of man, or lack thereof, are on public display as these photos authenticate.  

For nearly a decade, JaniWrap Toilet Covers has set the standard in restroom aesthetics when a malfunctioning toilet, urinal or sink is temporarily removed from service.

JaniWrap was the first and only beautiful and effective method of taking a fixture offline until repair could be made and continues to be the preferred choice of schools, medical facilities, shopping malls, arena’s, airports and Fortune 500 companies worldwide. 

With the advent of the global COVID 19 pandemic, JaniWrap is currently being used to remove perfectly good toilet fixtures form service in response to private and governmental physical distancing mandates – who would have thought?

nterestingly, England was the foreteller of things to come in the U.S. when JaniWrap’s United Kingdom distributor CS4UK reported a dramatic increase of orders for JaniWrap Cover Kits in response to their own social distancing requirements. 

It was at this time that new Not In Service Due To Social Distancing labels were created to notify and encourage physical separation in a visually pleasing and effective manner.

These new social distancing labels were soon followed with an oversized version of the same label made of vinyl and designed to release clean and easily from all substrates. 

These labels are for use without the JaniWrap Cover and are used on sinks, drinking fountains, hand dryers, and anywhere the notification label is helpful.  

In addition, JaniWrap’s aluminum Not In Service signs continue to be used in Class A buildings and similar sites benefitting from their distinctive look when hanging from toilet stall doors. 

They come with their own storage case to protect them when not in use and are an effective tool for any facilities department to have at their disposal.

JaniWrap is proud to be an integral part of a positive first impression a restroom visitor has in your building, establishment or property – rest assured, we are committed to serving you well into the future.

Go here to find out more about JaniWrap and what we sell in the way of Public Restrooms.

JaniWrap also recommends Two products to keep you and your customers safe.

1.) PreventX 24/7 forms an invisible antimicrobial bio-barrier coating that wages a
non-toxic warfare against nasty microbes.

2.) Sherwin-Williams Paint Shield is a microbicidal paint that kills 99.9% of Staph (Staphylococcus aureus), E. coli (Escherichia coli), MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), VRE (Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis) and Enterobacter aerogenes on painted surfaces within two hours of exposure

 

COVID-19 and Public Restrooms

JaniWrap Out of Order Urinal Covers. 

Keeping Restrooms Beautiful.

We ensure your restrooms appearance is not compromised when a urinal or toilet needs to be removed from service.

JaniWrap Website Design by Best Website Solutions 

Out of Order Labels for Social Distancing

Out of Order Labels for Social Distancing

Out of Order Labels for Social Distancing 

It’s with pleasure that JaniWrap offers a new vinyl sticker that notifies visitors that a restroom fixture has been removed from service to aid in physical distancing in accordance with CDC recommendations.

Not all stickers are created equal.  Some are especially annoying and require a blowtorch, soap and razor knife to remove – like discount store price tags! These oversized yet discerning labels are made to be easily removed without leaving any adhesive behind – they can even be reused.  

JaniWrap Out of Order Fixture Covers are best in class – in fact, we invented the class. 

However, there are circumstances where a cover may be overkill and/or detract from the surrounding aesthetics (think sinks and drinking fountains) and a Not In Service Due To Social Distancing sticker may be the preferred method of removing a wash basin or water filling station from service.

These versatile decals are also effective on toilet stall doors, vending machines, and workstations just to name a few. 

They are large but not too large at 2.6 x 6 inches and the pewter gray color with white lettering displays beautifully in most environments.  

Out of Order Labels for Social Distancing
Out of Order Labels for Social Distancing
Out of Order Labels for Social Distancing
Out of Order Labels for Social Distancing

They come 4 stickers per sheet and are value priced.  We’re so excited about these stickers that we’ve been including a complimentary sheet of them with every JaniWrap order – we just want everyone to have these in their COVID-19 tool chest so they are immediately available for use when the need arises.

Now that you know all about the wonderful characteristics of JaniWrap Not In Service Due To Social Distancing labels and where they can be used, we want to leave you with a good solution to removing those irritating labels glued on like they actually hold the product together: How To Remove Those Annoying Price Stickers In One Quick Peel.

Stay safe, be healthy, help others, and spread the love in a world needing its joy…  

“Don’t hand out compliments like $100 bills – they’re free and they’re worth more!”

Out of Order Labels for Social Distancing

JaniWrap Out of Order Urinal Covers. 

Keeping Restrooms Beautiful.

We ensure your restrooms appearance is not compromised when a urinal or toilet needs to be removed from service.

JaniWrap Website Design by Best Website Solutions 

Travel Center Restrooms

Travel Center Restrooms

Travel Center Restrooms

Travel Center Restrooms 

Anyone who has ever traveled with children, let alone driven long stretches with little ones, knows that a family road trip is just about the least relaxing thing a parent can do.

Cue the “Are we there yet???” memes.

It’s true that plopping children into the backseat and driving for hours on a lonely highway is not the first thing that comes to mind when considering a relaxing family getaway.

Sometimes, however, it can’t be avoided. If families want to visit some of the more stunning sights and national parks in this country, it often comes at the price of a long car ride.

According to an IPSOS research study, while more than 66 percent of Americans are planning a summer road trip—with a significant number of those families traveling over the Fourth of July weekend—a majority (57 percent) of parents believe it will be stressful.

As one of the largest operators of roadside travel centers in North America, Pilot Flying J commissioned a survey of 1,000 parents who are planning a family road trip and have children under the age of 18.

The study found that there are some key stressors for families on the road: Finding fresh food and access to clean restrooms were some of the top concerns for parents while “Where to stop” is one of the top reasons families argue on a road trip.

Travel Center Restrooms

Millennial parents are the most concerned about finding rest stops, truck stops, gas stations and restaurants that offer suitable food options.

Sixty-five percent said food options stressed them out the most.

Fifty-one percent of Gen-X parents said that food was of great concern as did 42 percent of boomer parents.

Travel centers that invest in serving fresh food could reap significant rewards.

The survey found that 88 percent of parents (nine out of 10) said that they would be more likely to stop at these locations. READ MORE: 8 Rules for an Epic Road Trip

Almost all parents said that clean bathrooms were an important part of their decision when deciding where to stop, and 74 percent seek out a particular brand of travel center because of its reputation for clean bathrooms.

Knowing that 85 percent of parents say that they would be surprised to find a stop that has both fresh food options and clean bathrooms, Pilot Flying J has embarked on creating a solution for families.

“Listening to our guests, and understanding their needs is a priority for us at Pilot Flying J,” said Whitney Haslam Johnson, chief experience officer for Pilot Flying J. “If we can provide what families want to take some of the stress away, then hopefully it makes their experience with us enjoyable.

Travel Center Restrooms

As a mom of three boys myself, I understand how important that can be.”

New and renewed amenities are part of Pilot Flying J’s ongoing efforts to enhance its network of travel centers.

Recently, the company invested $100 million into renovations, upgrading travel centers with eco-friendly hand dryers, Italian tile accents, family changing tables and more.

They’ve also improved lighting and added the PJ Fresh Marketplace, a fast-casual dining experience that provides guests with high-quality, on-the-go food options that include salads and fruit bowls.

Pilot Flying J has also partnered with celebrity chef Tim Love who is working on creating more fresh and unique menu items.

READ MORE: Expert Advice for Traveling With Children 

JaniWrap Out of Order Urinal Covers. 

Keeping Restrooms Beautiful.

We ensure your restrooms appearance is not compromised when a urinal or toilet needs to be removed from service.

JaniWrap Website Design by Best Website Solutions