Hey friend! Do you manage a construction site or host outdoor events where porta potties are a necessary evil? I feel your pain. As a professional home renovator and design enthusiast, I know those plastic portable loos can really drag down the aesthetics of any environment. But have no fear – with some strategic cleaning, decorating, and deodorizing, you can transform those portable potties from drab to fab!
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share all my insider tips and tricks for making a porta potty look clean, cute, and appealing. Trust me, with a little creativity and know-how, you can turn those porta potties into potty palaces! Let‘s dive in.
Step 1: Start with a Deep Clean
I can‘t emphasize this enough: Thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing the porta potty is the critical first step before any decorating can happen. A dirty porta potty will never look nice, no matter how much glitter you try to slap on it!
To properly clean both the interior and exterior:
- Scrub every interior surface – floors, walls, toilet – with a strong disinfectant cleaner or bleach solution. Allow to fully dry.
- Use a pressure washer on exterior walls to remove ground-in dirt and stains.
- Apply a heavy duty cleaner formulated specifically for portable toilets to exterior.
- Finish exterior cleaning by applying a sealant or wax to repel future dirt.
Pro tip: Schedule porta potty cleaning 1-2 times per week for heavy use units. This regular TLC will keep it looking (and smelling!) fresh.
Step 2: Choose Eye-Catching Exterior Decorations
Now for the fun part – decorating that dull exterior into something eye-catching! Take advantage of the large blank canvas the walls provide. Consider these ideas:
- Paint the door a vibrant color like cherry red or lime green. It draws the eye.
- Hang whimsical signs – "Potty Palace" always makes me laugh!
- Use removable wallpaper or contact paper for quick transforms.
- Frame exterior walls with vibrant duct tape stripes or patterns.
- Attach a wooden trellis to a side wall for flowers or ivy vines.
- Add pops of color with ribbons, flags and banners on the roof.
- Stick wall decals like flowers or butterflies for whimsy.
- Add a picket fence around the potty for a cottage vibe.
Pro tip: Wall decals, duct tape, and contact paper can be removed later without damaging exterior walls or paint.
Step 3: Prettify the Interior Space
I know what you‘re thinking – why bother decorating the inside of a porta potty? Trust me, it can make a big difference in the user experience. Some easy ways to glam up the interior:
- Hang posters or prints – useful for covering ugly walls and graffiti.
- Place a small floor mat for users to stand on inside – it feels homey.
- A tiny vase with fake flowers in the corner can be lovely.
- Add string lights along the ceiling for a cafe vibe.
- Mirrors make spaces feel bigger – perfect for porta potties!
- A Bluetooth speaker with spa music completes the ambiance.
- A basket of mints or sanitizing wipes feels upscale.
Pro tip: Dollar Tree is my go-to source for inexpensive interior decorations and faux plants.
Step 4: Make it Feel Welcoming
A few special touches can elevate a porta potty from clinical to comforting:
- Soft lighting is key – string up fairy lights or use a clip-on lamp.
- Keep air smelling fresh with scented candles or essential oil diffusers.
- Provide little comforts like toilet seat covers, Kleenex and hand sanitizer.
- A small trash can with a scented plastic liner is civilized.
- Glow-in-the-dark decor makes nighttime trips less startling.
Pro tip: Battery-operated decorations avoid safety issues of power cords and electricity near water.
Step 5: Attack Odors!
Now let‘s get down to business and talk about the real challenge – how to keep porta potties from smelling noxious. You‘ll need to employ regular cleaning plus odor-eliminating products:
- Use enzymatic cleaners inside the tank and bowl to digest odors.
- Apply a holding tank deodorizer made for porta potty systems with each cleaning.
- Para toilet deodorizer packs under seat help absorb smells.
- Slowly dissolving RV holding tank tablets also work for ongoing odor control.
- Allow fresh air flow by propping open door when not in use.
- Spray a scented disinfectant on all surfaces frequently.
- Natural deodorizers like baking soda or activated charcoal also help.
Pro tip: The highest quality holding tank deodorizers deliver 10,000x odor control power vs. typical RV products.
Step 6: Choose the Right Liquids
It‘s important to understand what types of liquids are appropriate to use inside a porta potty tank:
- Use a toilet additive made specifically for portable toilets to break down waste.
- 2-4 oz of additive is recommended per 40 gallons of tank capacity.
- Avoid bleach, acids, chemicals, and corrosive liquids that could damage tank.
- Do not overfill tank – leave room for additives to properly work.
- Add extra pump out deodorizer as needed for boosting pleasant smells.
Pro tip: Many holding tank additives available at RV and marine supply stores will also work for porta potties.
Step 7: Never Put These Items in the Toilet
It may seem obvious, but only human waste and toilet paper should go into the porta potty toilet. Flushing any other materials down the toilet can lead to clogs, leaks or damage:
- Paper towels can swell and cause major clogging issues.
- Feminine hygiene products will also clog pipes and catch in mechanisms.
- Chemical cleaners can react with tank and degrade components.
- Trash like cigarette butts or gum belongs in waste receptacle.
- Any foreign object entering tank could require costly repair or replacement.
Pro tip: Provide a small wastebasket lined with a scented trash bag for non-toilet trash items.
Step 8: Fun DIY Touches
If you really want to customize your porta potty on a budget, get creative with these DIY projects:
- Cover toilet lids and seats in scrapbooking paper or shelf liner for patterns.
- Use wallpaper remnants or tablecloths to make throwaway wallpaper.
- Personalize with painted names, slogans, or designs using outdoor acrylic paint.
- Adhere colorful mosaic tiles, glitter shapes or gems around toilet and walls.
- Spray paint interiors in bold, bright colors for instant transformation.
Pro tip: Check Pinterest and TikTok for fun and unique porta potty decoration ideas people have dreamed up.
Step 9: Safety First!
When decorating and cleaning porta potties, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Use battery powered lights and gadgets to avoid risk of electric shock.
- Select non-toxic cleaners and natural deodorizers to avoid hazardous fumes.
- Make sure decorations don‘t block doors, toilets or create tripping risks.
- Only decorate when toilet is empty and not in use to avoid disturbing guests.
- Provide adequate exterior lighting for safe nighttime navigation.
Pro tip: Require contractors to install hand sanitizer stations outside porta potties for proper hygiene.
Step 10: Shop Smart
You absolutely can decorate porta potties on a budget. Hit up these low cost sources for supplies:
- Dollar stores – decorative signs, wall hanging, fake plants, wastebaskets.
- Home improvement stores – inexpensive paint, cleaning tools, gloves, buckets.
- Craft stores – vinyl, fabric, and paper for DIY wallpaper.
- Online – wall decals, removable graphics, porta potty deodorizers.
- Thrift stores – framed art, small rugs, mirrors, shelving.
Pro tip: Buy in bulk online for best pricing on high-use items like holding tank treatments, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies.
There you have it friend – everything you need to know to transform those pesky portable potties into pleasant and gorgeous potty palaces! With some targeted cleaning and decor, you can create porta potty facilities that are welcoming, odor-free, and beautiful. Just remember to start with disinfecting, attack smells, add personal touches, and work safely. Let me know if you have any other porta potty questions – I‘m happy to help!
