---
description: Explore the pervasive nature of germs, the importance of hand hygiene, and the role of portable sinks in preventing diseases in various settings.
title: How Portable Sinks Stop Germs
image: https://theportablesink.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/germs_on_hands-1024x849.jpeg
---
# How Portable Sinks Stop Germs
### By Ozark River Manufacturing
### August 6, 2025
### [Germs](https://theportablesink.com/category/germs/), [Public Health and Safety](https://theportablesink.com/category/public-health-and-safety/)
Germs, also known as microbes, are tiny but mighty organisms that are everywhere! They’re in the air, on surfaces, and inside our bodies, playing a complex role in our environment and health. While not all germs are bad, they aren’t all good either, and one of the best ways to stop the spread of germs is through frequent and proper hand washing.
However, knowing you should wash your hands and being able to wash your hands are two different things. Getting to a sink with [hot and cold running water](https://theportablesink.com/hot-cold-water-wash-hands/) isn’t always practical or even an option.
That’s where portable sinks come in. These mobile handwashing stations can go just about anywhere you need access to safe, clean running water for hand washing, especially in places where there is [no plumbing](https://theportablesink.com/sink-without-plumbing/).
[](https://theportablesink.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/germ_spread.jpeg)
## What Are Germs?
You’re probably familiar with several types of germs. While many are harmless and some are even beneficial, others are pathogenic and can lead to diseases.
- **Bacteria** are single-celled organisms. Some are harmless, while others can cause infections, like strep throat.
- **Viruses** need a living host to survive. They’re known for their rapid spread and cause anything from the common cold to viral infections like COVID-19.
- **Fungi** are things like mold and yeast. Some fungi are harmless, while others cause infections like athlete’s foot (and spoil long forgotten leftovers!).
- **Protozoa** are often found in water and soil and can cause serious disease in humans.
The balance between beneficial and harmful germs is crucial for maintaining health. Effective disease control and prevention methods, such as regular hand washing and using hand sanitizer, are essential in managing the risks that harmful germs pose to us.
## How Germs Spread
Germs have three main methods of spreading:
- Contact with infected surfaces, like a doorknob
- Person-to-person, like when a sick person coughs or sneezes
- Eating food or water that’s contaminated
While there isn’t a lot you can do about some types of person-to-person contact or consuming contaminated food, you have more control over your contact with infected surfaces.
When you touch a contaminated surface, like an elevator button that hasn’t been disinfected recently, then touch your face, mouth, or nose, any germs that transferred from the button to your hand can potentially infect you. Using hand sanitizer or proper hand washing after touching the button and before touching your face or another surface reduces the risk to you and the spread of germs.
[](https://theportablesink.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC09575-scaled.jpg)
## How Portable Sinks Support Personal and Public Health
In the battle against germs, public spaces pose the most risk to our personal health. Germ transmission is more likely to happen in crowded areas and on high-touch surfaces that haven’t been sanitized.
Proper hand washing goes a long way toward stopping the spread of these germs, but placing handwashing stations everywhere they’re needed isn’t always practical. Adding or extending plumbing and sewer lines can be messy, expensive, and not always possible. But portable sinks make it possible for people to wash their hands whenever and wherever they need to.
### Enhance Accessibility
Portable sinks can be placed whenever adding permanent handwashing stations is impractical. Outdoor events, temporary medical sites, and [disaster relief areas](https://theportablesink.com/emergency-sinks/) are all examples, but you can also add a portable sink to permanent campsites, daycare facilities, and [animal shelters](https://theportablesink.com/portable-sink-animal-shelter/) to ensure proper hygiene for staff and customers.
### Public Reassurance
While many people carry hand sanitizer, seeing a portable sink reminds them that proper hand washing is crucial to overall health and hygiene. What’s more, seeing a portable sink reassures them that your facility takes their health and safety seriously.
### Adapt to Change
Portable sinks also allow your company to be nimble, flexible, and adaptable when conditions or regulations change.
For example, during cold and flu season, it’s easy to place a portable sink wherever you need it, giving more people more access to proper hand washing stations. And when [state regulations](https://theportablesink.com/state-handwashing-sink-regulations/) regarding hand washing sinks change, a portable sink with soap dispensers and paper towels makes it more likely that you can quickly and easily comply with the changes — often for a fraction of the cost of a plumbed sink.
### Complements Sanitizers
Even if you have dispensers throughout your business, hand sanitizers aren’t the most effective method of removing germs from hands. [The CDC says](https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/hand-sanitizer.html) that the best way to get rid of germs is to wash hands with [soap](https://theportablesink.com/handwashing-soap/) and running water. [Sanitizer should be used when soap](https://theportablesink.com/soap-vs-hand-sanitizer/) and running water aren’t available. However, the sanitizer needs to be at least 60% alcohol to work, which may not always be the case.
Having portable sinks available throughout your company or at your event ensures people have a safe, effective alternative to sanitizer.
### Protects Vulnerable Populations
Health care settings are more likely to have proper hand washing stations throughout the facility, but often they’re only available to staff. Adding portable sinks to public areas where the spread of germs is likely to occur protects patients and residents who may have weakened immune systems and are more vulnerable to infections.
[](https://theportablesink.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/action_shot.jpeg)
## The Power of Portable Sinks
Understanding how germs spread is the first step in containing them, and proper hand washing is often the key to success. When a permanent hand washing station is impractical or even impossible, a portable sink fills that gap, allowing you to provide a safe and effective hand washing solution everywhere you need it.
Ozark River Manufacturing’s portable sinks come fully assembled and are ready to go right out of the box. Simply plug it into any standard outlet, connect the [fresh](https://theportablesink.com/product/fresh-water-tank/) and [waste water tanks](https://theportablesink.com/product/waste-water-tank/), and you’ll have instant access to hot and cold running water that’s perfect for all your hand washing needs.
Our portable sink solutions are perfect for a wide range of industries, including:
- [Bars](https://theportablesink.com/application/bar/)
- [Beauty, Day Spas, & Wellness](https://theportablesink.com/application/beauty-wellness/)
- [Commercial](https://theportablesink.com/application/commercial/)
- Concession Stands
- Construction Sites
- [Daycare](https://theportablesink.com/application/daycare/)
- [Classrooms](https://theportablesink.com/application/education-classroom/)
- Concerts
- Fairs and Festivals
- Farms & Barns
- [Farmer’s Markets](https://theportablesink.com/portable-sink-farmers-market/)
- Food Trucks
- Garages & Workshops
- [Healthcare & Clinics](https://theportablesink.com/application/healthcare/)
- Job Sites
- Outdoor Events
- Patio & Home Use
- [Restaurants & Food Service](https://theportablesink.com/application/food-safety/)
- [Retail Stores](https://theportablesink.com/application/retail/)
- [Science Labs](https://theportablesink.com/application/science-lab/)
- Summer Camp
- [Tattoo and Body Art Shops](https://theportablesink.com/application/tattoo-parlor/)
- Weddings
Contact us today to learn how Ozark River Manufacturing can support your business or browse our [full line of portable sinks](https://theportablesink.com/shop/) and [accessories](https://theportablesink.com/product-category/accessories/).
### Ozark River Manufacturing
Ozark River Manufacturing designs and delivers top-quality, NSF-certified portable sinks. Since 2006, our inventive and bold team has ensured health compliance with quick-connect tanks and instant hot water. With over 55 models, we provide solutions for every need, backed by exceptional customer support and timely delivery. Healthy people matter, and we make a positive impact every day.
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Shipping and Order Information
[Code Compliance](#Code-Compliance)
[Order Cancellations or Modifications](#Order-Cancellations-or-Modifications)
[Delivery](#Delivery)
[Damages and Replacements](#Damages-and-Replacements)
[After-the-Sale Support](#After-the-Sale-Support)
[Contact Information](#Contact-Information)
**Code Compliance**
We have designed our portable sinks to be compliant with most state and local handwashing codes. Please check with your local or state health official before purchasing this product if the intended use is handwashing compliance. Ozark River Manufacturing takes no responsibility for compliance to each and every code.
**Lead-Times**
Our goal is to get you your portable sink in the fastest, most economical method possible. All orders are shipped from our Assembly Plant in Murfreesboro, TN 37129 with a truck carrier (LTL) to the 48 contiguous states. Lead-times vary by product, are demand-driven, and are updated on the product detail pages. Large orders may increase lead-times. Expedited or shipping outside of the 48 contiguous states is also available and may incur additional costs. Please call [866.663.1982](tel:866-663-1982) for availability.
Order confirmations include estimated ship dates and are subject to change without notice.
**Order Cancellations or Modifications**
You can cancel or modify your order in writing before the product has shipped from our location. Cancelations may incur a 5% processing fee if paid by credit card. Please call [1.866.663.1982](tel:866-663-1982) or email us at [Orders@ozarkriver.com](mailto:Orders@ozarkriver.com).
Orders that have left our dock will incur a 30% restocking fee, as well as all incurring freight and/or damage charges. The customer is responsible for all damages, so please follow all provided return instructions carefully. Absolutely no changes or cancellations are allowed on custom or large orders.
**Delivery**
All of our portable sinks ship to you via a freight carrier or truck and you will be sent Receiving Instructions prior to your delivery. You are required to be at the location at the time of delivery or you may incur re-delivery costs from the freight carrier. Please make sure you have at least two people to lift and unpack the sink and put it into place where you want it. Drivers from the freight carriers are for delivery only and are not obligated to help with installation. You will have time to inspect your package. Please call 866.663.1982 if you have any concerns or questions about the delivery condition.
**Damages and Replacements**
Carefully inspect your delivery and follow all delivery details provided. If a carrier has damaged your product and the package is damaged, refuse the shipment and call us immediately at 866.663.1982. If you open your carton and see any damage to your product, call immediately and follow the instructions provided by our customer care agent. If you delay calling you may be responsible for the damaged product.
**After-the-Sale Support**
We manufacture Ozark River Portable Sinks to the highest quality standards, with repeatedly tested and reliable parts. Our sinks are unsinkable, but should you need it, we have trained technical support staff right here at our facility in the Greater Nashville Area to help you set your sink up, understand operation or maintenance, and keep your portable sink operational and your business or facility code compliant. Please refer to your Owner’s Manual.
**Disclaimer:** Models, styles, colors and availability may change without notice.
**Contact Information**
Office Hours: 8 am to 4:00 pm CST
Office: 1-615-203-3078
Toll Free: 1-866-663-1982
Email: Orders@ozarkriver.com
Web Address: www.OzarkRiver.com
Greater Nashville Area
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BETTER VISION
We believe that it is our personal responsibility to provide clean hands for people and business because, now more than ever, healthy people matter.
From restaurants and food service businesses that gain new convenience and opportunities as a result of our Ozark River Portable Sinks®, to educators and daycare centers that have healthier students and fewer absentees, to businesses that are now in hand wash code compliance due to implementing our portable sinks – lives our improved with every portable hand sink we manufacture.
We love what we do. We win together. We never give up. We don’t cut corners.
We have a vision with a clear focus – improve lives every day with a convenient solution for better personal hygiene, and the ability to comply with state and local hand wash codes – and we’ve maintained that focus since 2004.
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YOU ARE OUR PRIORITY
We love saving your day, and we are ‘all hands on deck’ when you need after-the-sale support.
If you’ve ever been cited by a health code inspector for hand-washing code violations, you know how it feels to be in hot water. When hand-washing compliance calls, we answer. And although our sinks are unsinkable, should you need support, we’re here with happy, helping hands.
Support remains at the top of our priority list. We’re here when you need us, and even when you don’t. Call the hotline for application, operation or general support. We’ll be standing by, ready to help with troubleshooting assistance; warranty parts and service; replacement parts and service.
Our sinks have only a .003% warranty replacement rate, which means a 99.7% success rate! Now, that’s a badass sink.
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AMAZING TEAM CULTURE
Happy, positive people make products that make other people happy. We’re serious about having fun at work. We take our work seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously.
Ours is a team of highly inventive, bold individuals who happen to make portable sinks. We’re the best at what we do, and we know it.
Our culture prioritizes people and positivity because we know that when our team is joyful, we strive even harder to make you happy.
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INVENTIVE and BOLD
We invented a line of portable sinks that are well-made, delivered quickly, and installed in a snap. We build them ourselves because nobody else can do it like we do.
Our sinks comply with the rigorous NSF standards, which means that our products undergo relentless testing and our facilities are inspected unannounced. We don’t mind. In fact, we welcome the challenge to perform because we know that the standards are set for the protection of our customers.
Without the expense of plumbing, each customer gains the hygiene benefits of instant hot water with a portable sink.
Our attention to quality is as pure as the hot water we dispense. All of our portable sinks feature instant hot water technology and convenient quick connect tanks. With a variety of styles, sizes and finishes available, every Ozark River Sink is crafted to sturdy, attractive perfection.
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DISTRIBUTION
We respect your needs and your time. Once you decide to purchase your portable sink, you want to begin reaping the benefits of clean, healthy, happy hands as soon as possible!
Ozark River Manufacturing is uniquely positioned to reach customers and suppliers quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. We have shorter lead times than any competitor, \[simply say, short lead times?] and a robust distribution network, allowing us increased service capabilities for our customers.
Middle Tennessee’s central location connects us to customers faster; home to the busiest cargo airport in the western hemisphere, six Class 1 railroads, more than 1,000 miles of navigable waterways, and immediate access to eight interstate highways.
What do these nifty stats mean to you? It’s simple. We can reach 60 percent of the U.S. population within an 11-hour drive or less.
Bottom line? With reduced shipping times, you’ll enjoy better health and hygiene with your portable sink as soon as possible.
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IT’S ALL WE DO
Remember when someone told you NOT to “put all of your eggs in one basket”? Phooey!Do one thing and do it well. That is our absolute conviction.
Ozark River Manufacturing Co.® is the world’s foremost portable sink manufacturer because this is what we do. In fact, it’s all we do. We design, manufacture, and deliver the finest portable sinks available on the planet. And we proudly believe that is enough.
Hot water hand sinks provide a convenient solution to improve personal hygiene and to comply with state and local codes. Our everlasting commitment to provide a top-quality product that is essential to maximizing health and safety.
Life and business can be challenging. You have a long list of things to do. We are here to make hand washing compliance as easy as possible. Give us a call and check one thing off that list.
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