Fresh & Functional: 4 Strategies for Maintaining Waterless Urinals

A waterless urinal saves water only when it is maintained properly. The technology removes flushing from the equation, but it does not remove the need for good housekeeping. In fact, the cleaning routine becomes even more important. The right maintenance approach keeps the urinal clean, controls odor, protects the drainage system and helps the fixture perform reliably for years. For housekeeping teams, the good news is that waterless urinal maintenance does not have to be complicated. A consistent routine, the right cleaning products and a few simple checks can prevent most common problems.

Here are four practical strategies that housekeeping teams can follow.

1. Clean the Urinal Regularly, Not Just When It Looks Dirty

One of the biggest mistakes in restroom maintenance is waiting for visible dirt or odor before cleaning. Urine residue can build up around the bowl, outlet and surrounding surfaces even when the urinal looks relatively clean. Over time, mineral deposits and organic residue can affect cleanliness and contribute to unpleasant odors.The best approach is a scheduled cleaning routine based on restroom usage. High-footfall restrooms may need more frequent cleaning than low-occupancy office restrooms. Housekeeping teams should pay particular attention to the urinal bowl, splash areas, floor around the fixture and the surrounding wall.

The basic process should include removing visible debris, cleaning the bowl and surrounding surfaces, wiping the exterior and checking the outlet area. The objective is not to flood the fixture with water. It is to clean the surfaces effectively while preserving the water-saving function of the system. For facilities with multiple restrooms, a simple checklist can help housekeeping supervisors ensure that every fixture receives the same level of attention.

2. Use the Right Cleaner

A waterless urinal does not need to be treated like a conventional flush urinal. Using aggressive chemicals without checking their compatibility with the urinal system can create unnecessary maintenance problems. Some conventional restroom products are designed around heavy flushing and may not be appropriate for components used in waterless systems. Housekeeping teams should follow the manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedure and use compatible cleaning products.

This is particularly important around the valve or barrier mechanism. The component is responsible for allowing liquid to pass into the drainage system while helping prevent sewer gases and odour from travelling back into the restroom. A cleaner should remove urine residue and mineral deposits without damaging the components that make the waterless system work. For organisations looking to reduce chemical exposure as well as water consumption, bio-based or bio-enzymatic cleaning products can also be considered where appropriate.The important point is simple More chemical does not mean better cleaning. The right product, used at the right frequency, is far more useful than repeatedly applying strong chemicals.

3. Keep the Outlet and Surrounding Area Clear

A waterless urinal still depends on an unobstructed drainage path. Paper, plastic, cigarette waste, cloth, sanitary products and other foreign objects should never be put into the urinal. Housekeeping teams should remove visible debris immediately and report recurring misuse to the facility supervisor. Mineral deposits can also develop around the drainage area, particularly in locations with hard water or high urine concentration. Regular inspection helps identify these problems before they become blockages. A useful housekeeping routine is to look for three things during every cleaning round:

Flow: Is liquid draining normally?

Surface: Is there visible scale, residue or buildup?

Odour: Is there an unusual smell coming from the fixture or drainage area?

These three observations can provide an early warning before a small maintenance issue becomes a restroom complaint.

4. Check the System Instead of Masking the Odor

Odour is one of the first signs that something needs attention. A common response is to add more fragrance, deodoriser or urinal blocks. That may make the restroom smell different for a short period, but it does not necessarily address the source of the problem. In a well-maintained waterless urinal, odour control depends on the complete system: the fixture, drainage, valve or barrier mechanism, cleaning routine and surrounding restroom conditions.

If an unusual odour appears, housekeeping teams should first inspect the fixture rather than simply increasing fragrance. Check whether the urinal is draining correctly. Look for residue around the bowl and outlet. Inspect the surrounding floor and wall. Check whether the valve or other system component requires cleaning, servicing or replacement according to the manufacturer's instructions. This approach turns odour from a recurring complaint into a maintenance signal.

Zerodor: Making Waterless Urinal Maintenance Practical

Zerodor by Ekam Eco Solutions is designed around a simple principle: eliminate unnecessary flushing while maintaining effective odour control. Zerodor uses a mechanical one-way valve. Urine passes through the valve into the drainage system, while the valve helps prevent sewer gases from travelling back into the restroom. This means there is no flushing water involved and no need to depend on fragrance to cover up urine odour. For housekeeping teams, the maintenance focus remains straightforward: keep the urinal bowl and surrounding surfaces clean, prevent foreign objects from entering the fixture, monitor drainage and follow the recommended maintenance procedure for the valve.

Ekam Eco Solutions reports 85,000+ Zerodor installations across 800+ organisations and more than 3.5+ billion litres of water saved through its installations. These are company-reported figures based on its installation and water-saving calculations. The larger lesson is that waterless sanitation works best when technology and housekeeping work together. A good waterless urinal cannot compensate for poor cleaning. At the same time, excellent housekeeping cannot fix an incorrectly installed or poorly maintained drainage system. Both have to work together.

A Simple Daily Routine for Housekeeping Teams

A practical routine can be built into the normal restroom cleaning schedule. Start by inspecting the urinal before cleaning. Check for visible residue, blockage, unusual odour or foreign objects. Clean the bowl and surrounding surfaces using the recommended compatible cleaner. Pay attention to splash areas and the floor immediately around the urinal.Inspect the outlet area without disturbing the valve or internal components unnecessarily. Check that liquid is draining normally. Finish by cleaning the surrounding floor and ensuring that the restroom is ready for the next round of users. For high-traffic facilities, supervisors can add a quick inspection to every housekeeping round and record recurring problems. This makes it easier to identify whether an issue is caused by cleaning frequency, user behaviour, plumbing, drainage or the waterless urinal system itself.

Weekly and Periodic Checks Matter Too

Daily cleaning handles surface hygiene. Periodic inspection handles system performance. Housekeeping supervisors and maintenance teams should periodically check for scale buildup, drainage issues, damaged components and unusual odour patterns. The exact servicing interval should follow the manufacturer's recommendations and the actual usage level of the facility. A urinal in a railway station, stadium or shopping centre may experience dramatically higher usage than one in a small office. Maintenance schedules should reflect that difference.The goal is not to create unnecessary maintenance work. The goal is to prevent avoidable maintenance work.

Training Makes the Difference

Even the best waterless urinal can perform poorly if the housekeeping team has never been trained on it. Traditional urinals are usually cleaned with a familiar routine apply cleaner, scrub, flush and rinse. Waterless systems require a slightly different mindset. Housekeeping staff should know what they can clean, what they should not disturb, which products are compatible, how to identify unusual odour and when to call the maintenance team. A short training session at installation can prevent months of confusion. A simple laminated checklist inside the housekeeping store or cleaning trolley can also help maintain consistency across shifts.

Waterless Does Not Mean Maintenance-Free

This distinction is important. Waterless means the urinal does not require flushing water for normal operation. It does not mean the urinal never needs cleaning or maintenance. Every restroom fixture needs cleaning. The advantage of a well-designed waterless urinal is that the cleaning team can focus on hygiene and system performance without spending time managing repeated flushing. For facility managers, that creates an opportunity to standardise restroom maintenance around simple, measurable routines. Clean the fixture. Keep the drainage clear.Use compatible products. Inspect the system. Respond to odour at its source. These four habits can keep waterless urinals fresh, functional and ready for everyday use. And when the housekeeping team, maintenance team and facility manager all follow the same process, waterless sanitation becomes much more than a water-saving fixture. It becomes a reliable part of the building's everyday operations.

FAQs

Q1. How often should a waterless urinal be cleaned?

Cleaning frequency should depend on usage. High-footfall facilities generally require more frequent cleaning than low-occupancy offices. The manufacturer's cleaning recommendations should always be followed.

Q2. Can regular toilet cleaners be used on waterless urinals?

Not automatically. Cleaning products should be compatible with the specific waterless urinal and its internal components. Housekeeping teams should follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Q3. Why does a waterless urinal smell?

Unusual odour can result from residue buildup, drainage problems, an incorrectly functioning valve or inadequate cleaning. Adding fragrance may mask the smell temporarily without addressing its source.

Q4. Does Zerodor require flushing?

No. Zerodor is designed as a waterless urinal system and uses a mechanical one-way valve to allow urine to drain while helping prevent sewer gases and odour from returning through the drainage system.

Q5. Does waterless mean maintenance-free?

No. Waterless refers to the elimination of flushing water. Regular cleaning, inspection and periodic maintenance are still necessary for reliable performance.

Q6.What should housekeeping staff check during cleaning?

They should check the bowl and surrounding surfaces, drainage, visible residue, foreign objects, unusual odour and the general condition of the fixture. Any issue involving internal components should be handled according to the manufacturer's maintenance instructions.