Businesses, users have a part to play in ensuring clean loos

The recent debate about dirty toilets essentially centres on two main parties - business owners and users (Filthy toilets a public hygiene concern, by Mr Derek Wee; Oct 7).

Simply put, food establishments and the authorities must maintain good hygiene standards of their toilets for public use. And the public must practise good toilet habits to keep the premises clean.

Wet floors, unflushed toilets, "spills" and their accompanying stench are what we encounter at dirtier public toilets found in coffee shops and hawker centres.

Business owners must provide a different experience for users.

A clean, odourless toilet with dry surfaces, amenities in good working order, and soap and paper towels in ready supply are a must.

Similarly, users can be thoughtful and practise the right toilet etiquette - such as flushing after use, keeping surfaces dry, taking good aim, wiping seats clean and binning their waste.

The happy, hygienic consequence will be an improved experience for ourselves, as well as all those who use the toilets after us.

Edward D'Silva

Chairman

Public Hygiene Council

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 18, 2017, with the headline Businesses, users have a part to play in ensuring clean loos. Subscribe