Budget-friendly bathrooms for small businesses
While running a small business has lots of perks like independence and flexibility, it also comes with its own set of unique challenges. From the financial risk and workload to legal complexity and limited resources, it’s tricky to find a balance that keeps your customers happy and your bottom line healthy.
An often-overlooked pressure is providing restroom essentials your employees and guests need, all while being mindful of costs. But a limited budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality. Whether you run a cosy café or a small office building, we'll walk you through what you need to know to make the most of your restroom budget.
Why should you prioritise bathrooms when you’re on a budget?
For a small business owner or manager like you, it can be easier to prioritise more obvious value drivers at your facility, like front-of-house, than the silent heroes that are restrooms. When you must spend every dollar carefully and thoughtfully, it seems straightforward.
However, this approach can backfire. Even though bare-bones fixtures and products may seem like a smart financial decision in the short term, they might do more harm than good. 90% of commercial restroom users agree that their bathroom experience has an impact on whether they return to an establishment. [1] In other words, since it’s likely most people at your facility will use the toilets, it’s worth making every impression a great one, instead of trying to cut corners.
The good news is, with durable and reliable products paired with efficient processes, you can create or upgrade to bathrooms that offer a better experience. What’s more, you can do this while being mindful of your budget.
How to keep high-quality restrooms within budget
Whether you're undertaking a restroom refurbishment or starting from scratch, let's find what you can do with our budget-friendly small business bathroom ideas:
Reduce overuse and waste
In order to make the most of the money you spend, it’s essential to choose effective solutions. Relying on lower quality dispensers that release more product than needed for a single use can slowly eat away at your budget without you even realizing it. Not to mention the impact such overconsumption can have on our planet.
If you're looking to create a more sustainable, efficient, and profitable business through reducing waste in your commercial restrooms, there are some essential steps you can take to achieve this.
Switch to commercial soap & sanitiser dispensers and refills
Instead of filling your restroom cabinets with endless little supermarket bottles of hand soap and hand sanitiser, consider switching to a commercial dispenser and refill system. This approach not only benefits your finances by cutting down on restocking costs, but considers the planet too, since durable units will rarely need to be replaced.
Install dispensers with waste reduction features
To take waste mitigation to the next level and make your budget go further, units designed to get the most out of your supplies are a great way to go.
Dose-controlled hand soap & sanitiser dispensers and low-flow fixtures
For example, dose-controlled soap dispensers release only a specific amount of product per use. This can help reduce overconsumption in your establishment without compromising on hygiene standards. Some Tork soap and sanitizer dispensers even allow you to choose between product quantity sizes, so you can deliver the right dose every time.
Being mindful of how much gets used goes beyond product level — natural resource conservation is just as important. So, think about also installing low-flow fixtures such as toilets and sink faucets. Not only does this care for the planet by optimising water use, but it can cut your bills down too. In fact, you could see a reduction of up to 30% in consumption. [2]
One-at-a-time paper hand towel and toilet paper holders
Another commonly overused product in commercial bathrooms is paper hand towels. Whether some dispensers get jammed or are particularly sensitive, it can be easy for users to pull too hard, causing multiple unnecessary sheets to come tumbling out. In contrast, Tork paper towel dispensers are designed to avoid those issues and many even feature one-at-a-time dispensing. Similarly to dose control, this mechanism allows people to only take what they need to dry their hands effectively, reducing waste as a result.
The same also goes for toilet paper holders. High-quality dispensers offering single-sheet delivery are the ideal solution to toilet paper overconsumption, as they encourage users to take only what they need. Less product used means less time and money spent on unnecessary restocking and a longer yielding budget for your business.
Invest in quality now to save more later
In dealing with business expenses, it can be difficult to justify what seems like a higher upfront cost. However, investing in robust fixtures and quality supplies can offer incremental savings that become more and more apparent over time.
For instance, basic dispensers made of less durable materials and with inferior mechanisms could be more prone to damage and malfunction. This would lead to an increase in your upkeep expenses or even force you to replace the units altogether, doubling up the cost. Additionally, if they’re not designed with your business needs in mind, they could be difficult to top up and require constant restocking, taking more time and effort from your staff. When it comes to choosing dispensers that are up to the task, high-capacity and good quality models are the way to go. Tork restroom dispensers are designed to withstand frequent use while holding big volumes of hand soap, paper hand towels, or toilet paper, reducing the need for constant refilling and maintenance. This not only makes your cleaning processes more efficient but also helps prevent product runouts, ensuring your customers and employees have access to what they need. Over time, high-quality durable units can help lower operational costs by cutting down on constant refills and maintenance.
Additionally, prioritising quality and durability is unlikely to get overlooked by your guests and visitors. Keeping your restrooms clean and equipped with modern, well-maintained and stocked units not only enhances your establishment’s appearance, but also shows them that you value their hygiene, comfort, and user experience.
Be mindful that upkeep is key for long-lasting fixtures. That’s why we’ve created simple, easy-to-follow tutorials for taking care of our hand soap and toilet paper dispensers.
Lastly, try not to worry if you're working with a particularly small bathroom. Many Tork dispensers feature a sleek and compact design, allowing you to make the most of the space you have.
Make cleaning more efficient
Your employees, customers, and visitors expect high hygiene and cleanliness standards in your facility’s restrooms. But that doesn't mean your staff has to use excessive amounts of products to achieve sparkling toilet seats, sinks, and furniture. With Tork, it’s quite the contrary! Many of our cleaning cloths pick up and release solvents more efficiently than textile products, which reduces consumption. When it comes to choosing small business cleaning supplies, this kind of quality and efficiency is fundamental. That, together with training your staff to use the right chemical concentration, will go a long way in getting the most out of your products and therefore your budget.
Budgeting effectively plays a huge part in running a thriving and successful small business. When it comes to your restrooms, smart choices like investing in durable fixtures and cutting down on waste can make a world of difference. These decisions help you save money in the long term while also potentially leading to more efficient ways of working and enhanced employee satisfaction, plus better facilities for your customers and guests. A bit of strategy can have a big impact, and with the right approach, even your bathrooms can become a quiet win for your bottom line.
Just because you're working with a smaller budget, it doesn't mean you can't go the extra mile to provide your patrons and visitors with a superior restroom experience. To add a special touch in your establishment, check out our guide to adding finishing touches with commercial washroom accessories.
References:
[1] https://www.idealspec.co.uk/Uploads/BrochureFiles/Creating_Better_Washrooms_Report.pdf