University residence halls are constantly evolving to meet the demands of modern student life, especially when competing with off-campus housing options. Restroom facilities play a crucial role in this effort, especially as cleanliness and hygiene become top priorities. In response to these needs, Clemson University has embarked on an initiative to transform its residence hall restrooms into fully touch-free environments, enhancing both convenience and safety for students.

The Push for Hygienic Standards

The rise of public health concerns, including the spread of viruses, has highlighted the need for enhanced restroom hygiene. Clemson University has embraced this challenge, beginning with the installation of auto-flush toilets, hands-free faucets, and touchless soap dispensers. However, the university wanted to go further, seeking a more comprehensive solution that could improve restroom cleanliness while reducing contamination risk. After evaluating the available options, Clemson's Facilities Department, in partnership with Southeastern Paper Group, chose to implement a selection of products from Hospeco Brands Group. These products, including toilet seat cleaner, toilet seat covers, and Scensibles® personal disposal bags, were introduced to create a more hygienic and hands-free restroom experience for students.

The Hospeco Brands Group Product Bundle at Clemson

Clemson's restroom upgrades feature the following Hospeco products:

• Health Gards® Toilet Seat Cleaner Dispenser (500 ml SC500DIS): This cleaner is sprayed onto toilet paper and used to wipe the toilet seat, ensuring a hygienic surface for the following user.
• Evogen® High Capacity No-Touch Toilet Seat Cover Dispenser (EVNT1-HCW): With a simple hand motion over the sensor, an unfolded seat cover drops from the dispenser, offering a clean and easy-to-use cover.
• Scensibles® Personal Disposal Bags (SBX50): These single-use bags, dispensed from stall-mounted units, provide a safe and sanitary method for disposing personal care products such as sanitary pads, tampons, and wipes.

Launching the Hands-Free Restroom Program

Clemson University piloted this hands-free restroom solution in three new dorm-style residence halls at Douthit Hills, covering 150 stalls. Additionally, the bundle was installed in common area restrooms within four apartment-style residence halls in the same area.

"We chose Douthit Hills because the new construction meant students wouldn't have pre-existing expectations about the restrooms. This allowed us to gather feedback based solely on their experience," explained Brian Davidson, Clemson's Associate Director of Custodial and Building Support. The pilot launched in August 2020 and ran for the entire fall semester.

Positive Feedback from Students

The pilot program coincided with increased dormitory usage due to the pandemic, as most students attended online classes from their rooms and took meals back to their dorms. This provided ample opportunities for students to engage with the new restroom features, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

Students appreciated the touchless restroom experience for its convenience and the added sense of safety it provided during uncertain times. Products like toilet seat covers and Scensibles disposal bags gave them more control over their hygiene, reducing potential exposure to germs.

The hands-free system also improved the efficiency of Clemson's cleaning staff. Automated dispensers helped minimize product waste and prevented overflow or litter, which was a problem with previous restroom systems.

A Successful Pilot and Future Expansion

Following the pilot's success, Clemson University quickly moved forward with plans to roll out the Hospeco Brands Group product bundle across its 31 residence halls, covering around 700 restroom stalls.

Clemson's facilities team intends to extend the hands-free products beyond residence halls, bringing the same hygienic standards to common areas across campus. The system is already used in administrative office restrooms, providing university leaders with firsthand experience of these products' benefits.

By choosing Hospeco Brands Group's innovative, touch-free restroom solutions, Clemson University has set a new standard for cleanliness and convenience in student housing.