Cheng Changlan and Zou Fujian at the public toilet they look after in Shanghai's Huangpu district. (Photo: HE QI/CHINA DAILY)
Cleaners create cozy environment by adding a fish tank and music
Zou Fujian and his wife, Cheng Changlan, both 34, have been cleaning public toilets in Shanghai's Huangpu district for more than five years and were recently recognized as one of its 10 "most admirable" families for their efforts.
The couple, from Xinghua, Jiangsu province, look after a public toilet, under the city's landmark Nanpu Bridge, that has impressed locals and tourists from the nearby long-distance bus station because of the personal touches they have added to make it more convenient.
They maintain the public restroom much like their own living room, decorating it with green plants, an aquarium, a bookshelf complete with newspapers, magazines, travel guides and a first-aid box, a music player featuring pop and classical music, and a ventilation system to dispel unpleasant smells.
"This washroom is like another home for us, as we spend most of our time here," said Cheng, who moved to the city to work as a public washroom cleaner in 2010 when Shanghai hosted the World Expo.
Cheng said she and her husband work six days a week, meaning they spend over 300 days a year at the restroom.
"So we make the place clean and cozy to create a comfortable workspace, and people will also try to keep it clean when they see how tidy the place is," she said.
It all started with a fish tank the couple recycled in 2015. They cleaned and restored the tank, filled it with water and fish, and placed it at the entrance of the toilet.
"It made a clear difference to the feel of the place," Cheng said. "So we thought, 'Why don't we recycle more to make the place even better?'"
