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Healthy Hand Washing Survey 2011

Bradley?s Healthy Hand Washing Survey queried 1,053 American adults about their hand washing habits in public restrooms. Participants were from around the country, ranged in age from 18 to 65 and older, and were fairly evenly split between men (48%) and women (52%)

Americans are becoming more diligent about washing their hands after using a public restroom, according to our third annual Healthy Handwashing Survey, Americans said they wash up 90% of the time after using a public restroom – that?s up from 87% in the 2009 Handwashing Survey.

In addition, more parents plan to talk to their children about the importance of hand washing as part of their child?s back-to-school preparation. In the 2011 survey, 89% of parents were planning a hand washing talk, compared with 83% in 2010. (The question was not asked in the 2009 survey.)

Hand Washing Habits

The online survey of 1,053 respondents was conducted August 1-3, 2011, and revealed:

  • 64% of Americans always wet their hands before adding soap
  • 13% always wash their hands for a specific amount of time
  • 4% prefer to use cold water to wash their hands
  • 26% use a towel, sleeve or other material to open the restroom door after washing their hands
  • 11% admit they are a germaphobe ? someone who is obsessed with cleanliness and has a fear of germs or unsanitary surfaces
  • When respondents were asked what three surfaces they dislike touching the most in a public restroom, stall door handles, restroom entrance doors and faucet handles came in first, second and third, respectively
  • When taking a car trip, 26% prefer to stop at a fast food restaurant for a restroom break (McDonald's was mentioned most frequently), while another 25% prefer a state rest area
  • 91% of respondents say an unclean restroom gives them a negative perception of a business

Hand Washing & Health

When asked what impact seasonal flu virus outbreaks have had on their hand washing habits when using public restrooms, 59% of Americans say they now wash their hands more frequently or more thoroughly or longer ? a 9% increase compared to last year?s response of 50%.

"It's a significant move in the right direction. It?s good to see more and more Americans seem to understand the importance of hand washing in illness prevention because hand washing is one of the easiest things to do to keep well."
- Michael McCann
Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology
Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is unequivocal about the benefits of hand washing, calling it critical in preventing infection and illness:

"Hand washing is a simple thing to do and it´s the best way to prevent infection and illness,"
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

And by ?washing your hands,? the CDC notes that nothing beats good old soap and water.

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, adults average two to four colds a year and children have about 6 to 10. In fact, the common cold is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work.

In addition, each year 5 to 20% of the population gets the flu each year and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized for seasonal flu-related complications, says the CDC. Studies show that most healthy adults may be able to infect others one day before becoming ill and for five to seven days after they first develop symptoms.

"Since hand washing is the first defense in fighting off cold and flu germs, it's important to educate the public. We hope our Healthy Hand Washing Survey calls attention to this important practice and the benefits of hand washing."
- Jon Dommisse
Director of Marketing and Product Development
Bradley Corporation