Survey: COVID-19 accelerates consumer demand for touchless fixtures in restrooms
Americans have reordered their priorities as to how facilities should improve their restrooms.
According to a survey from Bradley Corp., 60% of Americans said that their preference for touchless handwashing fixtures in public restrooms has risen a great deal since the pandemic; 30% said their preference has increased somewhat. In addition, 91% of Americans said they believe it’s extremely or somewhat important that public restrooms are equipped with touchless fixtures.
“Making everything touchless is now the most-requested improvement,” says Jon Dommisse, director of strategy and corporate development for Bradley Corp. a manufacturer of commercial plumbing fixtures, washroom accessories and more. “Just months ago in December 2019, the most desired upgrade was keeping restrooms cleaner and better stocked. In both cases, it’s clear that Americans have grown more adverse to germ hot-spots in restrooms.”
The findings are from Bradley Corporation’s latest Healthy Hand Washing Survey, conducted April 6-7, to examine the impacts of the coronavirus on consumers’ hand hygiene behaviors and preferences, particularly in public restrooms. Retail stores give Americans the most trepidation about coming into contact with germs, followed by hospitals/health care facilities, restaurants and workplaces.
In the wake of coronavirus, the Bradley survey also showed how Americans have altered their handwashing habits, with findings below.
- Ninety percent said they are washing their hands more frequently or more thoroughly or longer.
- Seventy-eight percent are washing their hands six or more times a day – only 37% washed up that often prior to the outbreak. Out of all age groups, Gen Xers are the most likely to wash their hands that frequently.
- Seventy-seven percent are washing their hands for at least 20 seconds.
“Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 outbreak has had a dramatic effect on Americans’ handwashing behavior – and it appears those shifts will stick around for a while,” says Dommisse. “In fact, 88% believe they are extremely or somewhat likely to maintain their increased handwashing regimen once the virus has passed.”
Bradley Corp. is a leading manufacturer of commercial plumbing fixtures, washroom accessories, restroom partitions, emergency fixtures and solid plastic lockers.