July 18,2024
Portable Sanitation FAQs
I added the right amount of deodorizer. Why does it smell bad?
The most common reason your deodorizer isn’t performing as well is inadequate water, which leads to mounding. We recommend adding 5-8 gallons of water to ensure all waste and paper falls below the water line. Water is the vehicle that delivers the deodorizer to the waste.
Why is it that deodorizer looks more green than blue by the end of the week?
Urine changes the pH of the contents of your holding tank, which causes the dye to fade from dark blue to green. Heavy usage and hot weather makes this problem worse. When your customers see the green color, they believe the deodorizer has worn off, even though that’s not necessarily true. Walex recently created a new dye called DuraBlue, which better withstands these shifts in pH. DuraBlue retains its deep blue color through day seven. Like other Walex dye, it won’t stain or cause problems at waste treatment plants. Durablue is available in all Walex packets and liquids.
What’s better, liquid or packets?
It’s a matter of personal preference because there are pros and cons to each. Packets are easy to use because they’re mess-free and pre-portioned. Walex liquids are versatile because they’re available in more strengths and fragrances. Which product is more cost-effective also depends on usage. To learn more about which deodorizer best fits your needs, read our article about selecting a deodorizer.
My units have a bad odor even when they’re empty. How do I get rid of that?
Every time you empty the unit, a little bit of residual waste can remain on the tank walls. If you don’t scrub off this “sludge line,” over time, the waste will become caked to the tank walls and be very hard to remove. Walex makes a product called Commando that deep cleans these troublesome units. To use Commando, drop one packet in per 100 gallons of tank capacity and add enough water to fill the tank completely. The enzymes target and liquefy any solids so when you empty the tank 12 to 24 hours later, it’s good as new.
What fragrance should I get?
Walex offers a wide variety of fragrances, so it’s a matter of personal preference. We do recommend switching fragrances every few months because your brain can acclimate to smells. If you’re interested in trying different fragrances, call your account manager and ask for samples.
Do I need to mix the water and deodorizer in a bucket before emptying it into the tank?
No, you can add the packet or liquid directly into the holding tank. We recommend adding deodorizer before water so everything is better mixed together.
I use packs. Can I add two if I need extra odor control?
Many drivers who use regular Porta-Pak add two packs if extra odor control is needed. However, we recommend switching to Porta-Pak MAX, which is a more powerful packet designed for extreme conditions. Porta-Pak MAX is a super-concentrated formula with 50% more color, 50% more odor control, and double the fragrance of original Porta-Pak.
Is waste treated with Walex products accepted at all waste treatment plants?
Yes. Standards for accepted waste at treatment plants vary across the country, but we are not aware of any waste treatment plant that does not accept waste treated by Walex products. If you encounter any issues from waste treatment plants, please contact us.
Walex offers 5 different cleaners. Which one should I get?
Each Walex cleaner is designed for a specific purpose, so most PROs invest in at least 4 of the 5. Green Hornet lifts grease and dirt from equipment surfaces, making it easy to wipe away. Banish Graffiti Remover melts away graffiti and leaves a protective coating on equipment surfaces. Fragrance Spray Washdown Cleaner is a 2-in-1 product with soap and fragrance. You can dilute it as needed to clean the inside of a restroom or spritz a few sprays into the restroom to leave a long-lasting, elegant fragrance. The alkalinity of Urinal Cleaner targets scale and calcium build-up, a major source of urinal odor. Fab Lav is a lavender-scented all-purpose cleaner ideal for cleaning a variety of surfaces.
I’m thinking about adding restroom trailers to my portable restroom business. Are there any extra cleaning or deodorizing products I should invest in?
Yes. To offer a premium restroom trailer rental, we recommend ingesting in P-Trapper Waterless Urinal Odor Control, Commando Holding Tank Cleaner, and Ovation Air Freshener, if you don’t already have these products. For a full list of products to keep your restroom trailer fresh and clean, read our blog.
Definitions
Super-concentrate
Super-concentrate refers to a liquid deodorizer, such as PT-50 Supreme, that is extremely potent and should be diluted with water.
Biocides
Biocides are an odor-controlling ingredient in deodorizers. They control smells by killing the odor-causing bacteria.
Surfactants
Surfactants are a category of compounds that are, quite simply, plain old soap. In the presence of water, air, and microbes, materials that biodegrade are converted into elements typically found in nature.
Biodegradable
A material that can biodegrade is one that will break down in the environment. In the presence of water, air, and microbes, materials that biodegrade are converted into elements typically found in nature.
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