When it comes to washroom hygiene, housekeepers pay more attention to cleaning floors, toilet commode, glass doors, washbasins and walls. Detergents, chemicals and sanitizers are used to turn these areas clean and hygienic. One area that needs more attention is the toilet seat which is more prone to bacterial attacks. “Even if you had cleaned the toilet only an hour ago, the bacteria still linger on. Toilets, being moist, form a perfect breeding ground for bacteria to multiply. Most people are unaware that unclean toilet seats could cause diseases like urinary tract infection, kidney ailments and STDs, especially in women,” warns Roelof Remijn.
People generally wipe the toilet seat with a tissue before using it. Though the dampness gets wiped away, the bacteria remain there. “Hence, we decided to devise a system whereby a toilet seat could be made bacteria-free, dry and clean for every user,” he added.
“The whole idea of designing such a toilet seat came to me when I was standing in the toilet of a five-star hotel which was unclean and uninviting. It took me a couple of trials before I could perfect on a model.”
The toilet seat works on sensor technology. By merely waving the hand over the sensor, the toilet seat rotates 360o, gets cleaned and sanitized. The automatic spraying and wiping system attached near the seat sprays sanitizer and wipes the seat as it rotates. The solution kills 85-90% of the bacteria, including Hepatitis-B. “We are working on a green solution, as it’s part of our commitment towards environment. Hence, we are able to solve health related issues and also provide a safe environment.” While the seats are produced and imported from China, the sanitizing unit is manufactured in Holland.
The seats are put to continuous tests. They are made of tough plastic which can withstand rough use. “In India, people tamper with things, especially in the restroom. But our toilet seats are designed aesthetically and made rugged to handle everyday use.”
Public toilets at airports, hospitals, offices, hotels, clubs, gyms, restaurants and lounges are prone to contamination due to multiple uses. As continuous cleaning is not possible after every use, these seats provide an ideal solution.
Besides, the seats can easily be attached to the existing toilet commode and do not involve recurring cost, except the cost for refilling the sanitizing solution.
“Currently, we are focussing on high-end markets and not mass market. We’ve installed these toilets in the Dubai International airport and selected places. We are operating through distributors and in India, our distributor is Only The Best. We are also trying to focus on hospitals, nursing homes and five star hotels in the Asian market, including India.
“So, the next time you’re using the toilet seat think about it.”
