Public washrooms are one of the key areas in which facility visitors and residents want to see enhanced standards of cleaning and hygiene in 2022.
Bradley Corp’s recent Healthy Handwashing Survey found that despite ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks, most Americans have not been deterred from using public bathrooms. In fact, 41 per cent of Americans report using public washrooms as often as they did before COVID-19 came on the scene. Interestingly, 27 per cent say they use them more now than previously.
“Thanks to the pandemic, more people are paying closer attention to various elements in public restrooms – how clean they are, how easy they are to navigate without touching surfaces and how they can be improved,” said Jon Dommisse, vice president of marketing and corporate communication for Bradley Corp., a global manufacturer of commercial restroom equipment.
From the survey results, Bradley Corp. identified five key trends currently being seen around public washroom hygiene:
Washroom maintenance gets approval
Half of the U.S. population now believes public washrooms are cleaner and in better condition than before the pandemic. More men (55 per cent) give a thumbs-up to the cleanliness of restrooms than women (47 per cent).
“Prior to COVID-19, upwards of 70 percent of Americans reported having an unpleasant restroom experience,” Dommisse explains. “Evidently, increased cleaning protocols and stocking of supplies is being observed and appreciated by restroom users.”
Further, 79 per cent think a posted and updated cleaning schedule in a washroom is important. “Signage goes a long way in helping to reassure visitors the facility is taking steps to ensure a clean environment and cares about keeping them safe,” he said.
Unclean washrooms tarnish the overall business
Americans increasingly think poorly of a business when they encounter a messy washroom, with 51 per cent of Americans saying an unclean washroom shows poor management, up from 39 per cent in 2021. Respondents also say neglected washrooms lowers their opinion of the establishment (43 per cent) and shows the business doesn’t care about customers (38 per cent).
Touchless washrooms in high regard
84 per cent of Americans believe it’s important for public washrooms to be equipped with touchless fixtures and 63 per cent say they are more likely to return to a business that offers no-touch capabilities in its washrooms.
“In fact, Americans view touch-free technology as the number one feature that makes them feel safer from germs in restrooms,” Dommisse said. “Touchless features are also Americans’ most requested improvement in restrooms. More cleaning/restocking takes second place.”
Touchless faucets, soap dispensers, flushers, and entrance doors were cited as the four most sought-after touchless features.
Better washrooms = more money spent
Americans are even willing to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to washroom cleanliness. Almost 60 per cent say they are likely to spend more cash at a business with clean, well-maintained washrooms, and a similar proportion (58 per cent) will take washroom breaks at a business they know has “good” washrooms.
Pandemic concerns persist, in general
Finally, the majority of Americans (78 per cent) continue to be in an elevated state of germ consciousness as a result of the pandemic.
“Certain types of facilities cause more trepidation about coming into contact with germs,” Dommisse added. “Specifically, Americans are most concerned about germs in stores (50 per cent), medical facilities (39 per cent), restaurants (34 per cent), and gas stations (28 per cent).”
