About 60% of Americans use a public restroom one to five times a week, according to the latest annual hand washing survey conducted by Bradley Corporation.
Besides using the toilet and washing their hands, the top five things Americans do in a public restroom are: check their appearance, blow their nose or cough, get away, use their cell phone and change clothes. By far, 18-34 year olds use public restrooms the most frequently with three to 10 stops a week.
“When we looked at how people ‘get away’ in a public restroom, we found 27% use it as a place to take a mental health break, avoid someone, hide, and even cry,” says Jon Dommisse, director of strategy and corporate development for Bradley Corp. “Almost a third of the population go to the restroom for respite.”
That begs the question about whether designers of public restrooms should build in space and benches for people to recompose themselves. This may be happening already, with family restrooms having grown in popularity in the past decade. Some 76% of parents have availed themselves of a family restroom to, among other things, change a diaper, change clothes, wash a child’s face, and calm a child.
Related Stories
Wood | Jul 8, 2019
Campaign launched to promote ‘climate-smart wood’
The Forest Stewardship Council and other groups aim to help buyers understand and make it easier to locate lumber that meets sustainable forestry standards.
Urban Planning | Jul 8, 2019
U.S. cities experience ‘Doppler shift’ in walkable urban development
The walkability trend is spreading to urbanizing suburbs.
Codes and Standards | Jun 27, 2019
Construction workers need continuous skills upgrades
A report by Autodesk and Deloitte focuses on how workers can succeed in an automated world.
Codes and Standards | Jun 27, 2019
Updated standard for liquid applied flashing for exterior wall openings released
AAMA document establishes minimum performance requirements.
Codes and Standards | Jun 21, 2019
Green Globes 2019 accepted as a revised American National Standard
Advances include language on resilience, life cycle cost analysis, moisture control analysis, health, and effectiveness.
Codes and Standards | Jun 14, 2019
Reports from Intl. Code Council focus on expanding use of shipping containers as building materials
Three companies show compliance for using containers for housing.
Codes and Standards | Jun 13, 2019
Report explores potential for rope-less and multidirectional elevators in tall buildings
Technology can enable cities to be more interconnected, efficient, and accessible.
Codes and Standards | Jun 12, 2019
USGBC-LA launches Net Zero Accelerator
Goal is to enable building tech market adoption for a net positive future.
Codes and Standards | Jun 11, 2019
BREEAM USA In-Use standard to be released this fall
Will expand to include residential and multifamily for assessment and certification.
Codes and Standards | Jun 10, 2019
Intl. Code Council releases Natural Disaster Preparedness Guide
Provides tips for staying safe during and after a hurricane or severe weather.