Environmentally Friendly Commodes - Reducing water wastage

So last month I posted about creating your own compost for your gardens through commodes, building upon this subject as it's especially important to be as environmentally friendly as we can these days. It's good to see that a growing number of schools and community projects solving solutions to problems such as water wastage and coming up with creative approaches to build awareness and encourage others to implement similar projects in their schools. Whereas, before I think it was a bit of a sensitive subject to talk about human waste and how to improve efficiency of its removal, I think nowadays people are slowly catching onto just how wasteful and inefficient traditional and indeed many modern systems can be, and it's only through awareness and schemes like these that is prompting a reevaluation and changes to be implemented.

Do you have any projects or schemes that have been recently implemented by community projects or local governments? If so please share by commenting on this post and letting us know if they were successful.

Its finally here the toilet that creates your own compost for you

A fantastic idea has finally been implemented, which certainly has some great environmental benefits - creating compost from your toilet - how good is that?

http://www.thisdishisvegetarian.com/2011/08/1868create-compost-for-your-garden-with.html

Bill Gates Foundation Looking For New Ideas For Toilet Design

Was surprised to come across this story today: http://consumerist.com/2011/07/bill-gates-foundation-dumping-on-the-old-toilet-design.html Well this has certainly made my morning. It's good to see the Gates Foundation appealing to a broader range of people, and plus this challenge will have great environmental benefits which I'm all for. To all desingers and engineers entering the challenge, Commodo Dragon wishes you the best of luck!

Summer Commodes

My pick of the summer lighter commodes around:



A crazy Japanese commode toilet design:

Differences between commodes and toilets

I often receive this question and many people will equate commodes to the same as toilets - but they are not. Although, you don't often hear people say where can I find the nearest commode (unless they've happened to learn all their English from an 19th century book).

As discussed in earlier posts a commode in Victorian times (and even today) is used to refer to a low-lying set of drawers or a portable washstand with a cupboard hidden beneath the counter top. However, for the purposes of this discussion we shall take the definition of the most commonly referred to definition a piece of portable toilet apparatus to collect stool and/or urine. The commode is basically a boxy structure which hides and supports a seat over a removable chamberpot or bedpan. It's often used for old age people who have perhaps mobility problems and can't get to a toilet or people with disability problems.

Do you think this blog needs a design overhaul? Celebrating Over a Year Blogging

So I've noticed that blogger now has some pretty cool template designs that you can easily switch to, which I've done for some of my other blogs. But, I've kinda grown attached to this template, after more than a years worth of blog posts.

Anyway I'd be interested to know what my readers think, (if they're still visiting my blog, I know I know I've been a bit slack on the updates last few months), so if you have any recommendations for which template designs I should use for my commode blog I'd love to hear from you. Put a comment and a link to your site, showing what design template you're currently using so I can get some ideas of how my blog could look!

Have a nice weekend!

A good article on how to repair a toilet/commode

Actually, i hate it when people use the same word for a commode when in fact they actually mean a toilet. But, this is still a good article for anyone wanting to save a bit of cash, and fix their toilet themself without calling out an expensive plumber:

http://www.wikihow.com/Repair-a-Toilet-/-Commode

Invitation for my readers to write about their commodes

An idea I'd like to test with this blog, is inviting you the loyal reader, to write about commodes you have, purchased, plan to purchase or commodes you have seen out and about that have got your attention. The stories you write can be based on modern commodes or the French meaning of commodes - i.e. chest with drawers. I'd like to engage my readers a bit more, and add some more interesting content to the blog as well. I'm going to keep this invitation open until the 30th March, and there will be an Amazon voucher prize for the best submission. Please send your submissions via email, and keep images under 50K - Thanks: Email me

Designing a Commode

To look at the commode on first glance, its seems a relatively simple design, and too many extents and purposes it is. But when one bears in mind, the extreme functionality of the commode has to have: it has to be hygienic - easy to clean, the components must be strong and durable, ideally materials should be used that don't rust easily, components must be adjustable to suit the user and so on. The problem with many commodes is that many commodes are made up of several parts, with tough to remove joints, and this makes them harder to take apart for dismantling or cleaning.

However, the design council has addressed this problem with some of their latest designs of commodes:

http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/Design-Council/Files/Landing-pages/Design-Bugs-Out/Commode/

The fact that there are fewer touch points between the patient and the commode is a particular attractive feature that reduces cross infection of nasty germs and bacteria. Its good to see that there's always scope for improving existing modern designs of commodes in line with functionality and health and safety aspects as well.

Happy New Year Year To All readers

Thanks very much for your blog comments, and all hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Now the turkey has well and truly been stuffed, and our waistlines have expanded, and we begin to think about how we're best going to implement our new year's resolutions, I thought for 2010 we'd start by looking at some of my resolutions for blogging generally:

1.I will try and provide more useful content for the readers, but you guys have got to help me out a little as well, and send me stuff you want to read about so I can get an idea if Im on the right track.
2. I will not be blogging as frequently due to starting at a new company and ha ving to work insane hours, thus my blogging alloted slots are somewhat limited. This shall mean few more infrequent posts, but hopefully ones of good quality rather than ones of rubbish quality.
3. Finally, I'm all for SEO and getting higher ranking in the search engines. This used to be my last job, so I know a bit about it. However, frankly time is a big factor, and I just dont have any of it these days even this early on. So if you want to help me out by linking to useful content on my post please do, and slip in a relevant keyword or two I'd be very grateful. Email me if you choose to do this, and Ill do something in return for you.

So here's to a great year ahead, and hope it's all you wish for and more!

Yahoo answers: Does putting a brick in your commode reduce EC/WC

With climate change talks happening in Copenhagen this week, I'd thought i'd have a little search and see what comes up with conserving water consumption when it comes to commode toilets and found this funny question:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070727053152AAuSvbW

I can't really imagine anyone doing this, actually putting a brick in their commode toilet, to reduce water consumption, lol. What about all the residues from the brick totally ruining your stylish commode. As pointed out in some of the answers, perhaps this was done in the 70's - but common it's 2009. The mind boggles. A far better solutions as offered by one of the readers is to install an adjustable flapper valve, which is very cheap and certainly less messy than putting a brick down there.

Commode seats

The seats of commodes, are a very important constituent of the whole commode. When choosing commodes, one should always select a seat which is both comfortable for the user and easily to clean with antiseptic wipes and other cleaning agents. A lot of the plastic commodes will come with cushioned seats which serve both purposes well.
The cushioned seats can easily be cleaned with antiseptic and anti-bacterial cleaning agents and what's more is that they provide a comfortable solution for the user of the commode. However, if you buy a commode and find that it's uncomfortable or can't be cleaned easily you can always buy replaceable seats or customize the seats: perhaps add a plastic cover for the seat making it more hygienic or add extra comfort padding to it.

Commodes for Chirstmas

With the festive season fast approaching us, now is the perfect time to start looking to either modern day mobile commodes, or perhaps fixed antique commodes for the Christmas break. Even if you don't plan on using the commodes during the festive season, it makes sense to by whilst many online retailers are having sales on not only their commodes, but all disability and elderly domestic products. Of course if you wanted to decorate your commodes and make them more christmasy there's many ways to do this, perhaps fairy lights around the handles and base? Or a bit of a christmas tinsle to really get the person sitting on the commode in the festive mode. Although, a somewhat novel idea, it could be a lot of fun, brightening up those plain and mundane toilet commodes and giving them a festive makeover!

If you decide to get into the spirit of things with your commodes, bidets, and other toilet units please send us some pics and we might even give a prize to the best one again!

Automatic washing systems versus manual bidet washing

Depending on what country or even continent you live in, you may be more familiar with automatic bidets rather than manual bidets. It also boils down to personal preference, and what you've been accustomed to. There are those who prefer manually scooping a pan full of water to wash their derrière, and there are those people who find the automatic fan jets cleansing their behind perhaps more therapeutic. The automatic washing systems generally tend to set you back a pretty penny as well, anywhere from $300-$1000 depending on the features and functions. Whereas a manual bidet, is perhaps more affordable at around the $150-$200 mark. Its better to go with the large ceramic bidets with ample coverage area when it comes to manual washing bidets, and go for a well known manufacturer as oppose to a cheap and cheerful one.

The range of features and functions that come with many automatic bidets can be somewhat lavish, so its fundamental to do your research before buying and get the most bang out of your buck. A lot of them, nowadays, will come with therapeutic spa jets as standard making for a very clean, and comfortable experience.

Whatever, bidet you choose, make sure its kept clean after use with the use of anti-bacterial sprays and clothes - ensuring that your bidet will keep you clean and healthy. Get a few quotes before, committing to a particular one, and find out what the manufacturer's warranty is.

Why isn't there much information on the net about commodes

As I've run this blog for quite a few months now, I've noticed in my research that there really isn't much information out there on commode toilets especially modern commodes. Just product catalog pictures with some brief information about the specifications of the commode chair. There is occasionally, the odd novel design from creative designers either real or imagined which have their unique designs and are often implemented in upmarket condos, hotels, and so forth. If one really wants to find out some substantial facts about commodes, and a bit about the history the library is as good as any other place to start. Simply go to your local library and they will be able to tell you exactly what informational resources they have on commodes.

Where are the best places to buy commodes?

It can be difficult to find good deals nowadays on both modern and antique commode toilets, especially the latter as over the years more value has been placed on having antique French styles of furniture. Of course the obvious places that spring to mind are auction places, as well as car boot sales for getting some of the best deals. And with the season coming up for car boot sales, antique commode furniture and toilets are bound to be in abundance here. When going to car boot sales, try and haggle a little to see if the seller will offer a bit of a discount. This all adds to the fun.

For modern commode toilets, the best places to buy is generally online or at disability shops. Often the online stores will offer postage discounts for buying their commodes, perhaps enhanced if you buy other products from them. You may also be able to pick up some modern styles of commodes at car boot fairs as well, but these will be few and far between.

If you like toilet humour you're gonna love this...

Here's a great Ebook I've found which is great for training your cat(s) to use the toilet; potty training for cats essentially. Click on the link below for a good laugh and to get your cats potty trained at home!!!

Potty training for cats

Commode furniture

It's a reminder of perhaps the decadent times of the past, in the 17th century commode furniture was all the range and had to be displayed in people's homes. Then the first commodes had marble tops, fitted with pairs of doors. Moving towards the 18th century the commodes took on a slightly different appearance shifting towards a more convex shape, and long cabriole legs. The method of lacquering used East Oriental techniques such as japanning or marquetry. The style further changed during Louis XV reign to extravagant Rococco curves became the order of the day, thus contributing to a more lavish style than previously. The French commode was immitated all throughout Europe, but many countries including the Italians reproduced a slightly exaggerated and grotesque version of the French commode. English furniture makers, however, were able to reproduce the elegant French style and add some subtlety to it, it became a common piece of furniture in houses. The term commode up until the late 18th century was used to term low cabinets with chest draws and serpentine fronts, but reaching the late 18th century it was also used to refer to a night table containing a small chamber pot for waste - as we know it today.

Asia paving the way for more modern toilets

So last week I featured a post from a new novel design from Korean designer living in Italy: Young Sang Eun. It seems on my travels around Asia that some countries are light years ahead of clean, modern and fully functional commode toilets, whilst other countries are still relying on the hole in the ground toilets - which are undoubtedly a playground for all kinds of germs, bacterias and even diseases. When one thinks about the more modern and sophisticated designs in regards to toilets and commodes, invariably they're usually coming out of the richer Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, Singapore etc. But also we shouldn't neglect the designs that are coming out of some parts of Europe, especially the Scandinavian countries which seem to always have a firm handle on the edgiest and most modern designs.

However, it's all very well having these snazzy and multi-factional commodes, but what good are they if they out of many peoples' price ranges? It is my hope that one day even the most modern of designs are affordable for everyone, and that we can help improve the sanitation and hygienic practices of even the poorest countries.

A solution to unhygienic toilets

Using public toilets can be sometimes a nightmare, especially for someone who values hygiene. Although, at present it's just a concept at the moment, Young Sang Eun - a designer from Milan, Italy has come up with the perfect solution for shared toilets in public places. It's a unique contemporary design that changes from a urinal to a toilet commode at the press of a button. Furthermore, it self sanitizes leaving a nice clean and hygienic commode after its use. This is activated by a UV triggered sterilization system. What's more is that it can be used by both males and females. As you can see form the pictures below, it's pretty high-tech, and got a great design to it. Let's hope it's not too long before we can see this product in our public toilets: