Mumsnet users share their experiences of public loos with Domestos

[EllieMumsnet]

This activity is now closed

Trying to find a loo when you’re out and about with your kids can be challenging. How many times have you asked if your DCs need to go before you leave the house and then they are demanding a toilet not even five minutes into your outing? We’ve all been there! Which is why at Domestos we want to know about your experience of public loos.

How often do you need to locate a loo when you’re out with your family? And how difficult are they to find? How do you feel when you have to go in and ask staff to use the loo in a pub? Or a café you weren’t planning on buying a coffee from? Or do you even ask? Are you ever met with resistance from staff when you ask to use their loo? What would you change to make this experience easier?

Here’s what Domestos have to say: “Domestos believe everyone deserve access to a clean, safe toilet. In the UK the problem is locating a public toilet when we’re out and about, in other countries the problem is far more serious. Domestos is committed to providing solutions, and have an ambition to help 25 million people around the world get cleaner, safer toilets by 2020.”

Whatever your experience is with public loos, post them on the thread below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

[rocketriffs]

The state of public toilets can be really disgusting. If I can .I'll take the kids to a restaurant or café for the loo, or a department store. I've even taken them to a local hospital to use the loo there, or a GP or Dental surgery.

[howling]

my son is currently being potty trained and training to use the loo. Out in public the toilets are rarely clean and i worry about needles or filth on the toilet seats. The smell normally puts him off. Off course the problem everywhere is trying to find a toilet and on several occasions my son has wet himself due to no toilet facilities.

[meepmoop79]

This can be a bit hit and miss. But generally they are not too bad. We have just come back from the Isle of Wight, and all of the public toilets we used there were excellent.

[cheryl100]

I have a phobia of public loo's anyway because I feel that everyone can hear me! I prefer fully enclosed ones!

[katieskatie82]

i try not to use public toilets if i can help it. So few are actually clean and tidy these days!! Always make sure my little one washes his hands after going if we do use one though x

[otter099008]

Where I live the public toilets are absolutely terrible. Metal toilets with no toilet seats and metal walls and doors. They don't appear to be cleaned very regularly at all, I try to avoid them at all costs

[suewilly]

I'm very disappointed with our local council because they've recently announced that they are intending to knock down public loos in my home town and the nearby town linked under the same council. Not only are these public loos desparately needed but the buildings they are in are also lovely so it seems such a shame.
We have very few public toilets in our town so going in an emergency means nipping into the supermarket to use theirs.
Recently a teddy bears picnic was hosted in the park nearby and when they children needed the loo the only place available was the local pub. The landlady has recently commented on facebook saying that if this event is held again next year she doesn't want people using her facilities unless they buy a drink!

[Proclib]

Really don't use public loos anymore.
The SatNav has been programmed with all the supermarkets so when on the road the SatNav provides directions to the nearest supermarket for a biological break, lunch and cheaper fuel if required which also avoids the thronging crowds and that unnecessarily long walk past all the fast food outlets to the loos located at the furthest point from the entrance as motorway service areas.

[Doodygirl2009]

I try not to use public toilets as most of them I’ve been in I’ve walked straight back out again. If my children need to go I wash their hands and put hand sanitizer on as well

[Pmliu]

I once went to a B&Q toilet and it was in such a disgusting state I decided not to use it even though I was busting to go. Someone had pooped on the toilet seat and just left it there, it was so gross.

[Lasplin84]

My little boy is really scared of the hand driers as they are so noisy now. It is really hard to encourage him to go to the toilet when we are out. I have to take him in the disabled normally so that I know no one will put the hand drier on

[Leanfun]

Hate when toilet not flushed and paper all over the floor. So unnecessary.
It’s sad but I’m delighted when I go in a restaurant and find a clean well presented loo.

[IKnowWhenThatHotlineBling]

I dont ever seem to have a problem finding public loos. If i have to use an establishment that im not actually buying anything from, such as, a cafe etc, then i do feel guilty and cheeky but i go ahead anyway as desperate times and all that!!

Public toilets are the worst though so id rather use somewhere nice and not open to just anyone as they may be a bit cleaner - one can hope! xx

[luijo]

It's a subject that's always irritated me, as there aren't enough family or larger toilet facilities in the UK. I always feel awkward using the disabled toilet as I feel that I'm stopping someone else in need using it. I hate asking for keys as some cafes seem to keep all their toilets locked. Queues are also a big problem as female toilets are terrible for that, but my husband also has an issue when taking our daughter to the toilet on his own. which is why more family friendly toilet facilities are needed. Cleanliness is also my big worry as some of the toilets in smaller cafes and supermarkets are disgraceful, even though they clearly identify when they were supposedly last cleaned.

[Bellroyd]

Like most, I hate using public loos. In my case it stems form being locked into one on holiday and have people who didn't speak my language try to help me out. This involved getting out over the top of the door and, in a short skirt, trying and failing to hide my modesty and assorted other bits.

The only saving grace was that I hadn't done a big smelly poo!

[Shesawinner1989]

I will do my best to avoid public toilets but sometimes your child will need to go. If we do have to do this I will be on repeat saying “don’t touch anything!!!” as they’re always dirty and smelly.

[grantd1]

Never had anything but positive experiences.

[lorrainej162]

I try to avoid public toilets whenever possible. Some of them are disgusting and it makes me wonder what some peoples homes are like.

[wef1984]

Many a time have I been refused toilet facilities in shops, the worst was at a seaside town in North Wales my baby needed changing while we were eating in a cafe, they had no baby changing facilities so sent me to the public conveniences they also had no facilities so I ended up changing him in his pushchair in full view of everyone.

[MillyVanilli222]

There are never enough public toilets around, and when I find one that's not closed, it's not usually in great condition. We mainly use supermarket and pub toilets, as they're usually at least clean and accessible!

[Ferryfairy]

We could learn a lesson from New Zealand, we found many public loos on country roads - clean, free and with loo roll and soap!

[baconbap]

It's ok to find somewhere in your local area, but much harder travelling somewhere else in the country

[samanthab870]

Everytime were out we usually have to go to a public toilet to use it as my son is toilet training. I do find that sometimes I ask and sometimes I don’t. Depends where it is and if it’s busy or not,l. I do feel like the public toilets could be cleaner and smell better. All public toilets should also have have gel! Germs give me the fear! Toilets are usually easy to find but some I have been to where extremely busy. I’ve never been refused to use toilet thankfully.

[myboycraig]

Was recently in Benidorm for a holiday, being pregnant was desperate for the loo. The only public toilet was a metal building close to the beach. When I went in was horrified that the door automatically locks as soon as you go in and it was the most disgusting place I have ever seen. Pee everywhere, no toilet roll, no soap to clean hands. Needless to say I panicked to get back out and went for McDonalds instead. Had to have receipt to use toilet.

[Jocelynne123]

I find that some places can be quite rude about letting your little one use the toilet if you aren't a customer. But when a toddler has to go they have to go. I would be unsure of asking for myself but I have no problem taking a child in. I never sit on the seat or let them and I hate touching door handles because so many people are bad at washing their hands xx