Handwashing is an motion that’s performed tens of millions of occasions day-after-day in properties, workplaces, faculties, shops and a mess of different areas throughout the nation. To delve deeper into this each day behavior, the 2026 Wholesome Handwashing Survey™ from Bradley Firm posed a collection of inquiries to U.S. adults and uncovered some fascinating findings.

Within the “What would you do?” class,

• 59% will shake their arms dry if hand dryers or paper towels aren’t accessible in a public restroom however 12% will blow on them and 11% will resort to working their arms by means of their hair. 
• 57% will keep away from ingesting liquids earlier than leaving house with the intention to skip utilizing a public restroom.
• 45% will complain to administration in the event that they encounter an unclean or disagreeable restroom at a enterprise.
• 20% will skip washing their arms after utilizing a public restroom in the event that they assume nobody is round. 

The insights are from the annual survey performed by Bradley, an organization that manufactures industrial washroom tools. Since 2009, the corporate has queried adults about their handwashing habits, use of public restrooms and issues about seasonal viruses.

“On the one hand, public restrooms are broadly accessible all through the US,” mentioned Jon Dommisse, vice chairman of enterprise growth and technique for Bradley Firm. “However, the cleanliness and high quality of public restrooms varies broadly so folks generally take evasive measures, like limiting how a lot they drink to keep away from utilizing them.”

Room for Enchancment

When requested what enhancements they’d most prefer to see in public restrooms, the highest three responses are comprehensible – cleaner amenities, higher stocking of bathroom paper, paper towels and hand cleaning soap and touchless fixtures, together with bogs, taps and cleaning soap and towel dispensers.

One other want checklist merchandise is extra stall privateness. In actual fact, almost 70% of respondents really feel restroom stalls ought to present extra protection. Particularly, 52% would really like the gaps round stall doorways eradicated and 43% would respect an “accessible” or “occupied” indicator on every door.

When it comes to “aspirational” gadgets respondents would really like, thick foaming cleaning soap, heat sink water and high-quality bathroom paper high the checklist.

Restroom Etiquette

Since a restroom is a public place, most customers observe primary etiquette. 76% at all times wash their arms after utilizing a public restroom. The highest causes folks skip washing their arms? There wasn’t any cleaning soap or paper towels, there have been too many individuals, or the sinks have been unclean or damaged. 22% mentioned they “didn’t really feel the necessity” to scrub their arms.

Sadly, there are circumstances when restroom customers don’t observe societal guidelines. The highest annoyances embody unflushed bogs and used paper towels and trash mendacity round.

Whether or not it’s thought of good etiquette or not, adults make use of all kinds of measures to keep away from touching restroom surfaces. 65% use a paper towel or their clothes as a barrier to remove contact with fixtures. 42% function the bathroom flusher with their foot and 35% hover above the bathroom seat.

Restroom Site visitors

High quality restrooms are one thing U.S. adults respect. Practically 70% say they’ll make a degree to cease – and 60% will spend extra money – at a enterprise that they know has clear, well-maintained restrooms. In actual fact, some even take their restroom vigilance a step additional. 40% will try a retailer or restaurant’s restroom earlier than deciding whether or not to remain or not.

Lastly, high quality issues. 86% say they count on a enterprise with high-quality services or products to have well-appointed restroom amenities.

“The situation of a restroom can considerably affect how shoppers really feel a couple of enterprise,” mentioned Dommisse. “Our survey discovered that almost all of individuals assume an unclean or disagreeable restroom signifies poor administration. On the flip facet, areas with clear and nice restrooms can count on extra return enterprise and a greater public notion.” 

The annual Wholesome Handwashing Survey from Bradley queried 1,020 American adults Jan. 5 -16, 2026. Contributors have been from across the nation and have been pretty evenly cut up between ladies (55%) and males (44%); 1% chosen different.

For extra data, go to www.bradleycorp.com/handwashing.