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International news
Majority of adults won’t return to
a business with dirty restrooms
Bradley’s 2017 Healthy Hand Washing Survey also found that almost all
Americans (92%) see a direct relationship between the quality of a company’s
products and services and the quality of its restrooms.
By Plumber magazine, US
The survey queried 1 042 American adults online from 12 to
15 December 2016 about their hand washing habits in public
restrooms and their concerns about germs, colds, and the flu.
Participants were from around the country, were 18 years and
older, and were evenly split between men and women (49 and
51%, respectively).
Public hand washing habits
Nearly all Americans (97%) believe it is important to wash one’s
hands after using a public restroom and this number has grown over
the past year. As observed in previous years, men are also far more
likely to simply rinse (without soap) than women.
The most common reasons for not washing hands after public
restroom use is the lack of soap or paper towels, use of hand
sanitiser instead, or sinks that are out of service.
Influence of peer pressure on hand washing habits
More than half say the presence of other people causes them to adjust their
actions in one of two ways: they will either make sure they wash their hands or
they will wash longer or more thoroughly. The survey also found that a written
reminder posted in a restroom could influence behaviour. Almost 40% of Americans
admit they are more likely to wash their hands after seeing a sign that requires
employees to wash before returning to work.
Restroom encounters of the worst kind
Public restrooms are everywhere but they are not all created equal. Nearly 70% of
Americans say they have had a particularly unpleasant experience in a restroom
due to the condition of the facility.
“Almost everyone has had a bad restroom experience and, unfortunately, it’s
usually something you don’t forget. The good news is that manufacturers, like
Bradley, do listen to consumers’ concerns and work to address them by creating
new and innovative products,” said Jon Dommisse, Bradley director of Global
Marketing and Strategic Development.
Impact of clean restrooms in the workplace
Unclean restrooms can also negatively impact a business. Almost all Americans
(92%) see a direct relationship between the quality of a company’s products and
services and the quality of its restrooms. This is further supported by the fact that
88% believe that if a restaurant has unclean restrooms, the likelihood is that the
kitchen is also unclean.
Half of US adults believe that unclean restrooms at a company give a number of
negative messages about how the company is run or how it treats its customers.
As a result, 56% say that if they encounter an unclean or unpleasant restroom,
they either will not return to that business or will think twice about doing so.
Editor’s comment
We publish this in the interest of the plumber who essentially is the protector of the
nation’s health. Some of the restrooms in malls in South Africa are nothing short
of disgusting. Plumbers serving these customers are entitled to encourage their
customers to have clean restrooms. We won’t even mention garages! PA
Direct relationship between the quality of a
company’s products and services and the quality
of its restrooms.
June 2017 Volume 23 I Number 4