flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Survey reveals five ways COVID-19 changed Americans’ impressions of public restrooms and facilities

Industry Research

Survey reveals five ways COVID-19 changed Americans’ impressions of public restrooms and facilities

New 2022 research conducted by Bradley Corporation finds data on the current state of public restrooms.


By Bradley Corp | March 9, 2022
Clean Public Restrooms
Entering the third year of the pandemic, Americans show that they are more sensitive to germs in public restrooms.

Upon entering the third year of the pandemic, Americans are not only more sensitive to germs in public restrooms, they now hold higher standards for the cleanliness, condition and technology used in these shared spaces, according to the annual Healthy Handwashing Survey™ from Bradley Corporation conducted in January. 

Despite ongoing Covid outbreaks, most Americans have not been deterred from using public bathrooms. In fact, 41% of Americans report using public restrooms as often as they did before Covid came on the scene. Interestingly, 27% say they use them more now than previously.

Unclean Restrooms
Courtesy Bradley Corp

“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. 

The survey, which has examined the state of U.S. public restrooms and handwashing habits for 13 years, identified key Covid impacts on how Americans view public restrooms – as well as the businesses and establishments that provide them. 

#1 Restroom maintenance gets higher marks

A positive side effect of the virus is that half of the population believes public restrooms are now cleaner and in better condition than before Covid. More men (55%) give a thumbs up to the cleanliness of restrooms compared with women (47%).

“Prior to Covid, upwards of 70% of Americans reported having an unpleasant restroom experience,” Dommisse explained. “Evidently, increased cleaning protocols and stocking of supplies is being observed and appreciated by restroom users.”

Further, 79% think a posted and updated cleaning schedule in a restroom 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.

#2 Unclean restrooms tarnish the overall business

Americans increasingly think poorly of a business when they encounter a messy restroom. In 2022, 51% of Americans say an unpleasant public restroom at a business shows poor management, up from 39% in 2021. Respondents also report that encountering neglected restrooms lowers their opinion of the establishment (43%) and shows the business doesn’t care about its customers (38%). 

#3 Americans place high value on touchless restrooms

84% of Americans believe it’s important for public restrooms to be equipped with touchless fixtures and 63% say they are more likely to return to a business that offers no-touch capabilities in its restrooms.

Touchless Fixtures
Courtesy Bradley Corp

“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.”

Which touchless restroom features are considered most important? Respondents cite faucets, soap dispensers, flushers and restroom entrance doors as their top four. 

#4 Consumers spend more money at a business with pleasant restrooms

Americans are willing to put their money behind restroom cleanliness. Almost 60% say they are likely to spend more cash at a business with clean, well-maintained restrooms. Another 58% say when out running errands they’ll take restroom breaks at a business they know has “good” restrooms.

#5 Coronavirus concerns persist, in general

The majority of Americans continue to be in an elevated state of germ consciousness, triggered by the coronavirus. While 89% of the general population felt more aware of germs in April 2020, that number has fallen to 78%. Northeasterners currently have the highest level of germ concerns (86%) while Midwesterners have the lowest level (72%).

“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%), medical facilities (39%), restaurants (34%) and gas stations (28%).”

The annual Healthy Handwashing Survey from Bradley Corp. queried 1,035 American adults Jan. 10-21, 2022, about their handwashing habits, concerns about the coronavirus and flu and their use of public restrooms. Participants were from around the country and were fairly evenly split between men (46%) and women (54%). For more information, visit www.bradleycorp.com/handwashing.

Related Stories

MFPRO+ Research | Sep 11, 2024

Multifamily rents fall for first time in 6 months

Ending its six-month streak of growth, the average advertised multifamily rent fell by $1 in August 2024 to $1,741.

Construction Costs | Sep 2, 2024

Construction material decreases level out, but some increases are expected to continue for the balance Q3 2024

The Q3 2024 Quarterly Construction Insights Report from Gordian examines the numerous variables that influence material pricing, including geography, global events and commodity volatility. Gordian and subject matter experts examine fluctuations in costs, their likely causes, and offer predictions about where pricing is likely to go from here. Here is a sampling of the report’s contents.

K-12 Schools | Aug 26, 2024

Windows in K-12 classrooms provide opportunities, not distractions

On a knee-jerk level, a window seems like a built-in distraction, guaranteed to promote wandering minds in any classroom or workspace. Yet, a steady stream of studies has found the opposite to be true.

MFPRO+ Research | Aug 9, 2024

Apartment completions to surpass 500,000 for first time ever

While the U.S. continues to maintain a steady pace of delivering new apartments, this year will be one for the record books.

Data Centers | Aug 8, 2024

Global edge data center market to cross $300 billion by 2026, says JLL

Technological megatrends, including IoT and generative AI, will require computing power to be closer to data generation and consumption, fueling growth of edge IT infrastructure, according to a new JLL report.

MFPRO+ Research | Aug 6, 2024

Matrix multifamily report for July shows ‘hopeful signs’

The multifamily market is showing strength in many ways, according to the July 2024 Matrix Multifamily National Report by Yardi Matrix.

MFPRO+ News | Jul 24, 2024

Most popular cities for renters mid-2024

Rental activity in the U.S. continues to grow halfway through 2024. With the work-from-home boom stabilizing, more renters are eying desirable cities to relocate to.

Office Buildings | Jul 22, 2024

U.S. commercial foreclosures increased 48% in June from last year

The commercial building sector continues to be under financial pressure as foreclosures nationwide increased 48% in June compared to June 2023, according to ATTOM, a real estate data analysis firm.

Healthcare Facilities | Jul 16, 2024

Watch on-demand: Key Trends in the Healthcare Facilities Market for 2024-2025

Join the Building Design+Construction editorial team for this on-demand webinar on key trends, innovations, and opportunities in the $65 billion U.S. healthcare buildings market. A panel of healthcare design and construction experts present their latest projects, trends, innovations, opportunities, and data/research on key healthcare facilities sub-sectors. A 2024-2025 U.S. healthcare facilities market outlook is also presented.

Healthcare Facilities | Jul 11, 2024

New download: BD+C's 2024 Healthcare Annual Report

Welcome to Building Design+Construction’s 2024 Healthcare Annual Report. This free 66-page special report is our first-ever “state of the state” update on the $65 billion healthcare construction sector.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




Contractors

Conflict resolution is a critical skill for contractors

Contractors interact with other companies seventeen times a day on average, and nearly half of those interactions (eight) involve conflicts, according to a report by Dodge Construction Network and Dusty Robotics. The study suggests that specialty trade contractors, in particular, rarely experience good resolution from conflicts. 

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021