You’ve probably used a portable restroom or a porta-potty before, and you may have peeked into the tank and noticed a mysterious blue liquid. So, what is the blue water in porta-potties?
It is essentially a deodorizer to neutralize any unpleasant smells and ensure you have a clean and environmentally friendly restroom experience. Read on to learn more about “why is a porta potty blue?”
What Is the Blue Liquid in Porta-Potties?
We save about 125 million gallons of fresh water daily when using porta-potties, according to the Portable Sanitation Association International (PSAI). That’s because portable restrooms use 90% less water than their traditional counterparts, as they do not require flushing after every use. So how do you control the potentially unsettling smells that may result from not flushing the waste away?
That is where the blue porta-potty liquid comes in. The blue liquid is a potent deodorizer with disinfecting properties that help neutralize the foul smells produced in a portable restroom. Porta-potty rental companies like Wilkinson Portables add the blue liquid to maintain freshness in the toilets over time.
What Are the Ingredients of the Blue Porta-Potty Liquid?
While they may seem like a complex mix of many ingredients, porta-potty deodorizers usually contain four primary components:
- Biocides
- Dye
- Fragrance
- Detergents
Biocides impede the growth of gram-positive odor-producing bacteria, ensuring restroom freshness for prolonged periods. They also prevent the multiplication of certain odor-causing bacteria. The blue dye helps conceal the waste and debris beneath the tank’s surface.
The fragrance plays a significant role in covering the lingering smells. The purpose of detergents is to promote the dissolution of selected fragrances in water, helping the scent become more uniform. There is a wide selection of scent options so that porta-potty providers can meet different customers’ needs.
The History of the Porta-Potty Blue Liquid Use in Portable Restrooms
While the porta-potty blue liquid has evolved over the years, its primary purpose of maintaining a fresh smell in portable restrooms remains unchanged. The history of portable restrooms dates back to World War II. Their original purpose was to accommodate ship crews who spent prolonged periods at sea.
The initial portable restrooms were comprised of wood and metal and were heavy, smelly, and hard to clean.
Additionally, the early toilet deodorizers mainly contained formaldehyde. This substance played an integral role in covering waste, masking foul smells, and keeping restrooms fresh. While it was relatively effective, it was harsh on the environment and toxic to human health.
Is the Blue Porta-Potty Liquid Toxic?
The blue liquid is not toxic when in diluted form and before usage in the portable restroom environment. Before dilution, the biocides in the deodorizer contain some degree of toxicity.
Therefore, as a porta-potty provider, you should exercise caution when diluting and applying your deodorizer. Toxicity levels usually vary between various types of deodorizers. It is advisable to check with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals Safety Data Sheet (GHS SDS) for the deodorizer you are using.
Related: How To Keep A Porta Potty From Smelling
Need High-Quality Porta-Potty Rentals?
If you have been wondering, “why is a porta-potty blue?” or “why is porta-potty water blue?” you now have the answer. The blue liquid is a deodorizer that ensures you have a pleasant porta-potty experience. It achieves that through four primary ingredients: dye, biocides, fragrance, and detergents.
If you are looking for high-quality porta-potty rentals, you want to choose a company that knows how to keep its porta-potties clean and fresh. In that case, you can’t go wrong with Wilkinson Portables. We are a trusted supplier of high-quality porta-potties serving El Dorado County, Folsom, Plymouth, and Placerville.
