It’s coming: the hygiene wave in the bathroom

Cleanliness thanks to dirt and bacteria-resistant surfaces, touchless controls and hygienic luxury toilets: there’s more demand for hygiene in the bathroom than ever before. The bathroom sector’s smart solutions for growing hygiene requirements are a major theme at the ISH digital 2021 too – whether for hotel bathrooms, public toilets or private lifestyle bathrooms.

When it comes to the bathroom, hygiene is a sensitive issue – and not just in corona times. But in view of current concerns about personal safety and the health of the family, and given that behaviours like frequent hand-washing and avoiding contact are now almost second nature, it has become more relevant than ever before. The global pandemic experience is focusing so much attention on cleanliness in the bathroom that the hygienic features of the products it’s equipped with are taking on greater importance – not just for consumers who want to renovate their homes but for architects and planners involved with public and commercial projects as well.

There are various angles from which this is an interesting topic: the hygiene features of sanitaryware provide benefits not just in terms of promoting health but also due to their impact on care requirements, barrier-free accessibility and, above all, the sustainability of the bathroom. Hygiene functions often come hand in hand with the digitalisation of home-related functions and are increasingly invisible in the design. And quite apart from that: measured against the important role they play, bathroom hygiene features are conspicuously inconspicuous – which is why it’s worth taking a closer look.

The most obvious point to consider when it comes to hygienic bathroom products is the safety aspect – not only for purely functional reasons but because the bathroom’s evolution into a lifestyle space is increasing not just the quality of the time people are spending in their bathrooms but the length of time too, resulting in growing expectations of a feel-good atmosphere. Ultimately, we’re turning to the bathroom for comfort time and don’t want to keep worrying about bacteria and viruses.

The hygiene issue is back in the spotlight – both in private bathrooms and the (semi-) public sphere

As the sector is noticing, the new demands being made of hygiene measures seem to be prompting a change of thinking in private households too: due to recent developments, people have become far more sensitised to the importance of cleanliness and safeness. The industry already has various solutions to offer. “When it comes to hygiene, there’s no need to reinvent the bathroom.” Jens J. Wischmann, managing director of the German Bathroom Sector Association (Vereinigung Deutsche Sanitärwirtschaft e.V. [VDS]), sees no cause for general alarm and takes a poor view of panic-mongering: “The bathroom is one of the cleanest rooms in the home anyway. That’s due to the finishes and the modern products that are standard nowadays.”

However, it’s also clear that some of the disease-causing pathogens among all the viruses and bacteria are transmitted by shaking hands or via contact with surfaces. Some people might find that worrying – even though the latest research results, such as the Heinsberg study by Bonn-based microbiologist Ricarda Maria Schmithausen and virologist Hendrik Streeck, seem to confirm the assumption that indirect transmission of the coronavirus via surfaces plays a relatively minor role in its spread. Droplets and aerosols are by far the most common routes of infection.

The bathroom as a safe haven

The private bathroom performs an important function when it comes to hygiene – especially in times when multiple members of the family are using it all day long. In addition to modern sanitaryware and other furnishings and equipment, various care measures and simple dos and don’ts like airing out the room also play a role in preventing the bathroom from becoming a breeding ground for unwelcome germs and bacteria as a result of the warm and humid environment.

In the semi-public and public space, hygiene is of even greater relevance right now. The hospitality sector needs to develop new hygiene concepts, and many sanitary facilities for offices, event locations or public places need to be adapted and retrofitted to meet the increased hygiene requirements. The bathroom sector has numerous solutions to offer for both the private and (semi-) public sphere.

Ease of care and eco-friendliness: hygiene’s favourite sisters

The care features of bathroom products are often directly associated with hygiene. Thanks to the latest antimicrobial technologies and surfaces, cleaning is no big deal nowadays. Special ceramic finishes are available for washbasins and toilets, for instance, making them significantly easier to take care of (e.g. KeraTect from Geberit or AntiBac and CeramicPlus from Villeroy & Boch). These coatings are baked into the ceramic and prevent dirt and limescale from adhering to the surface; as a result, any residue is effortlessly washed away by the water. And according to the manufacturers, these finishes significantly inhibit bacterial growth as well. There are similar solutions that prevent microbial growth on vanity countertops and toilet seats too. Modern toilets are also equipped with a flushing system that doesn’t require a rim, thereby eliminating a favourite hiding place for bacteria and germs. More eco-friendly cleaning is another benefit: aggressive toilet cleaners are largely superfluous.

Product innovations for the toilet with a hygiene bonus and special extras

In terms of minimising hand contact with surfaces, digitalisation brings major advantages, especially when it comes to the toilet and fittings. The sensor technology behind various flush plates, for instance, allows the flush to be activated without any contact at all (e.g. Visign for Style 25 sensitive from Viega). Instead, the user triggers the flush by swiping their hand over the required function (which is accentuated by a grid of illuminated points). Villeroy & Boch offers a toilet that can think for itself and activates the flush autonomously if the user forgets or isn’t able to do so. This prevents germs from building up in stagnant water when the building is vacant or its occupants are travelling.

Modern shower toilets are often equipped with more functions than just touchless flushing. Many of them are available with optional features that mean the user doesn’t even have to touch the lid – such as Grohe’s Sensia Arena model. Thanks to sensor technology, the lid automatically opens when the user approaches and closes again afterwards. Some shower toilets even have a Bluetooth interface (e.g. Mera from Geberit) and can be controlled via a smartphone. And besides the technological progress that’s been made, the standard of cleanliness that has been established by the growing acceptance of shower toilets definitely represents cultural progress as well. The targeted and thorough intimate hygiene achieved with a pulsating jet of water conveys an everyday feeling of freshness. Depending on the features chosen, some shower toilets even have an integrated self-cleaning function.

Touchless hygiene concepts are gaining ground in private bathrooms too

Besides improved hygiene, another benefit of touchless taps becomes apparent when it comes to the effort required to clean washbasins and fittings: because the user doesn’t have to touch any control elements, their hands generally stay under the spout during washing, which prevents water dripping off of their hands and onto the mixer. This results in fewer water marks and limescale deposits on the surface of the fitting, which makes for easy cleaning. In addition, several models from Kludi allow the sensor to be deactivated while the basin is being cleaned.

A virtually touchless hygiene concept can be implemented in private bathrooms. Even soap can be used without having to touch anything – thanks to touchless soap dispensers like the one from Keuco’s Plan series. In addition to its function as a washbasin dispenser for foam soap or foam disinfectant, it can also be used to dispense hygiene foam for toilets. And hygiene foam is a simple way to transform ordinary toilet paper into a wet wipe that can be flushed down the toilet without causing blockages – a particularly interesting aspect for toilets in public places where shower toilets are out of the question.

Innovative hygiene concepts in public sanitary facilities thanks to revolutionary sensor technology

Hygiene has emerged as a particularly sensitive issue when it comes to public and semi-public facilities. Washbasins and toilets in office complexes, restaurants, gyms, hotels, event venues, schools or universities, and especially in hospitals and care homes, need to be re-evaluated. Touchless products will play a key role in that. The technology has been perfected and can help meet the increased hygiene requirements that have arisen as a result of the pandemic experience, which has taught us that we should avoid touching the tap whenever possible. When the user first touches a conventional fitting their hands are unwashed, which could result in the transfer of germs and viruses to its surface. At the same time, cross-contamination means there is a risk of the user picking up new germs and viruses once they have finished washing their hands too.

Touchless taps are therefore a good alternative for making the vehemently propagated precaution of hand-washing more hygienic. What’s more, the fittings hardly look any different from conventional models nowadays: thanks to the ongoing miniaturisation of sensor technology, the design of the taps can be adapted to the architectural setting.

Dornbracht goes one step further with its Touchfree variant, which is compatible with all the manufacturer’s fittings series. Because it’s based on high-frequency technology, the system can detect motion even without an infrared eye. The HF sensor is positioned under the washbasin and is therefore invisible to the user. Functions like the temperature setting, shut-off time or cleaning stop are adjusted via a separate system box connected to a power supply. The range of the sensor can be adjusted to the operator’s requirements or the characteristics of the room. What’s more, the automatic on/off function means a substantial amount of water can be saved when users spend longer soaping and washing their hands – a not inconsiderable energy-saving benefit, especially when warm water is used.

In addition, the cycle time, the sensitivity of the sensor and the automatic hygiene rinse can be set using an app on a smartphone or tablet. The cleaning times, rinse intervals and rinse duration are adjusted individually. Both mains and battery-operated fittings are available, and the low-energy electronics ensure a long lifespan without having to change the battery. When retrofitting a sensor mixer, it’s often advisable to opt for the battery-powered version because there’s no need to lift the tiles in order to lay cables.

Hygiene measures in the bathroom are often sustainable too

Hygiene in the bathroom and public sanitary facilities was a trending topic even before the corona crisis hit. That’s why the bathroom sector is well positioned to respond to the current increase in demand for particularly hygienic product concepts: the industry already offers customers a wide range of innovative offerings for washbasins and toilets to choose from.

While Jens J. Wischmann, managing director of the German Bathroom Sector Association (Vereinigung Deutsche Sanitärwirtschaft e.V. [VDS]), certainly sees the necessity for hygiene concepts in private bathrooms and the public sector, he also emphasises the sustainability aspect, which plays an important role in both refurbishment and new-build projects. “I’m expecting to see more new hygiene-related products and services at the ISH digital 2021. Water-carrying hygiene products for the bathroom are undoubtedly a growth market. And the sustainability aspect has already been factored in to a lot of hygienic sanitaryware products.” Reduced water consumption when using the toilet or washing hands, energy savings as a result of only dispensing warm water on a needs basis, a reduction in the amount of cleaning products required, touchless luxury functions for private and hotel bathrooms, longevity thanks to timeless design and a high standard of quality: the hygiene ideas from the German bathroom sector aren’t just effective and comfort-enhancing, they’re sustainable too.