Why Put a Black Light in a Bathroom?

UV black lights identify a wide variety of substances.

A variety of professionals, from prison guards to bankers and antique dealers, use black light technology to identify chemical substances. Cleaning crews use black lights to identify certain fluid stains in hotel rooms and bathrooms.

Black Light

True black light bulbs use long wave, ultraviolet light to illuminate substances practically invisible under ordinary light. Black light blue light bulbs mimic black light for decorative purposes but use no UV rays. The former serves a practical purpose while the latter only creates an effect.

General Uses

UV black light identifies a number of chemicals in various settings. Professionals who handle currency use black lights to identify counterfeit bills. Night clubs, prisons and other establishments sometimes use invisible ink only identifiable through black light use to prevent unauthorized visitors. Hotels use black lights to identify possible stains left in hotel rooms.

Bathrooms Use

For a thorough bathroom cleaning, use a fluorescent black light in a dark bathroom to find urine salts missed during any previous light cleaning. Urine salt stains appear dull yellow when viewed underneath a black light.

References

• Toiletology 101: How to Really Clean a Toilet
• Humane Society: Removing Pet Stains and Odors