According to a survey that tracks Americans’ attitudes toward restroom facilities, almost 70% report that they’ve had a particularly unpleasant experience in a public restroom due to the condition of the facilities—a nearly 20% increase since 2012.
That’s bad news for businesses, since Americans say they judge establishments based on the state of their restrooms. According to the 2016 Healthy Hand Washing Survey, conducted by Bradley Corporation, most consumers believe a bad restroom indicates poor management, lowers their opinion of the company, shows the business doesn’t care about customers, and makes them think the company is lazy or sloppy.
Bradley also delved into what factors makes restrooms so unappealing. Chief restroom grievances include toilets that are clogged or not flushed; a really bad smell; an overall appearance that’s dirty, unkempt, or old; and partition doors that don’t latch closed.
Key restroom improvements Americans would most like to see include improved cleanliness, a completely touchless experience, better stocking of restroom supplies, and a never-ending supply of paper towels—even if there are dryers.
Inforgraphic: Bradley Corporation
As for restroom improvements they’ve seen over the past two to three years in specific types of facilities, respondents gave the highest marks to medical buildings, airports, restaurants, and higher education facilities. At the other end of the spectrum, restrooms in convenience stores, gas stations, and truck stops deteriorated the most.
Americans make no secret about their disdain for coming into contact with germs in public restrooms. Restroom entrance door handles, stall handles, and faucet handles are the surfaces that make them the most squeamish. Almost 60% of respondents say they operate the toilet flusher with their foot to avoid germs. More than half use a paper towel to cover the door handle, while others use their back side to open and close doors.
The Healthy Hand Washing Survey queried 1,062 American adults online December 10-13, 2015, about their handwashing habits in public restrooms and concerns about germs, colds, and the flu. Participants were from around the country, were 18 years and older, and were fairly evenly split between men and women (47% and 53%).
Inforgraphic: Bradley Corporation
Related Stories
Industry Research | May 25, 2017
Project labor agreement mandates inflate cost of construction 13%
Ohio schools built under government-mandated project labor agreements (PLAs) cost 13.12 percent more than schools that were bid and constructed through fair and open competition.
Market Data | May 24, 2017
Design billings increasing entering height of construction season
All regions report positive business conditions.
Market Data | May 24, 2017
The top franchise companies in the construction pipeline
3 franchise companies comprise 65% of all rooms in the Total Pipeline.
Industry Research | May 24, 2017
These buildings paid the highest property taxes in 2016
Office buildings dominate the list, but a residential community climbed as high as number two on the list.
Market Data | May 16, 2017
Construction firms add 5,000 jobs in April
Unemployment down to 4.4%; Specialty trade jobs dip slightly.
Industry Research | May 4, 2017
How your AEC firm can go from the shortlist to winning new business
Here are four key lessons to help you close more business.
Engineers | May 3, 2017
At first buoyed by Trump election, U.S. engineers now less optimistic about markets, new survey shows
The first quarter 2017 (Q1/17) of ACEC’s Engineering Business Index (EBI) dipped slightly (0.5 points) to 66.0.
Market Data | May 2, 2017
Nonresidential Spending loses steam after strong start to year
Spending in the segment totaled $708.6 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis.
Market Data | May 1, 2017
Nonresidential Fixed Investment surges despite sluggish economic in first quarter
Real gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 0.7 percent on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate during the first three months of the year.
Industry Research | Apr 28, 2017
A/E Industry lacks planning, but still spending large on hiring
The average 200-person A/E Firm is spending $200,000 on hiring, and not budgeting at all.