The 2023 Healthy Handwashing Survey from Bradley Corporation found that Americans are still concerned about germs in public restrooms, and many are taking steps to avoid contact with contaminated surfaces. The survey also found that Americans are increasingly in favor of touchless fixtures in public restrooms.

Here are some of the key findings from the survey:

• 62% of Americans use a paper towel as a barrier to avoid touching flushers, faucets, and doors. Women are more likely to do this than men (67% vs. 57%).

• 43% of Americans use their foot to flush toilets.

• 31% of Americans do not sit on toilet seats; they hover over the seat.

• 27% open and close doors with their backside to avoid germy contact. Women are significantly more likely than men to do this (35% vs. 19%).

• 82% of Americans believe having touchless fixtures in a public restroom is essential. This percentage has remained high in the survey since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.

• Half of Americans say they would feel safer from germs in public restrooms if they were equipped with touch-free technology.

• Having touchless restroom fixtures is among the topmost requests, along with keeping restrooms cleaner and better stocked and always providing paper towels, even if there are hand dryers.

• The survey also found that the restroom features considered most essential to be touchless are faucets, flushers, soap dispensers, and paper towel dispensers.

• The 2023 survey found that three in four Americans remain in an elevated state of germ consciousness triggered by the pandemic.

• Specifically, Americans are most concerned about germs in stores (48%), medical facilities (44%), gas stations (37%), restaurants (34%), and schools (25%).

Takeaway:

“When we first introduced waterless urinals, one of the benefits we promoted was that they did not require touching,” says Klaus Reichardt, CEO and founder of Waterless Co., Inc.

“It’s always been a concern among [public] restroom users, but today, after the pandemic, that concern has grown tremendously.”

Reichardt offers other tips for staying safe in public restrooms:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after using the restroom.

• Avoid touching any surfaces in the restroom that you don't need to touch.

• Use a paper towel to open and close doors, flush toilets, and turn on faucets.

• If there are no paper towels available, use your elbow or a clean cloth to touch these surfaces.

• If you don't have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• Be sure to dry your hands thoroughly before leaving the restroom.