The Psychology of Using School Washrooms

A Swedish study investigated the attitudes of nearly 400 students – between the ages of 6 to 16 years old – toward school toilets. Generally, they had negative attitudes about school washrooms – particularly those between the ages of 13 to 16. These negative attitudes caused a significant percentage of these children to not use the toilets for urinating and defecating while at school. Key influencers of these opinions were what the washroom / toilet looked like, what it smelled like, and how they felt about themselves. 

Using HOCl may provide a simple answer to one of the negative perceptions – what it smells like. In a recent study, researchers at the University of Washington found that HOCl quickly dealt with the compounds that create the bad odors linked to urine and feces in washroom facilities (for more detail, see here). Although HOCl cannot address the more complex social perceptions affecting school washroom use, addressing the foul odors in these facilities may encourage many of these non-users to begin using them.

As with other HOCl applications, there are no safety concerns with using HOCl in a bathroom setting. Research has validated HOCl as a non-toxic, non-irritating, and eco-friendly disinfectant and sanitizer. Ideas for this blog were gathered from here.