The level of quality and care dedicated to business restrooms has a direct impact on the business's performance and profits.
How Restroom Care Drives Business Performance
American consumers value well-kept restrooms--so much so that, according to the results of the latest Bradley Corporation Health Hand Washing Survey, nearly two-thirds of them are willing to shell out more cash for the privilege.
According to the results of the 11th annual survey of more than 1,000 adults and youth, 62% of respondents are more likely to spend more cash at a business after encountering a clean restroom, up from 45% just two years ago.
According to Jon Dommisse, Director of Strategy and Corporate Development for Bradley Corp.;
Increasingly, our survey underscores that clean restrooms attract business.
Even posting and maintaining a cleaning schedule in restrooms helps reassure customers the facility is clean.
Over half who have observed such a schedule say it makes them feel more positive about the business.
However, according to the survey:
- 76% of respondents reported having a bad experience in a public restroom, and;
- Approximately 60% of those who had a bad experience stated they would leave immediately and would be unlikely to return.
Dirty Restrooms and Health Concerns
As it turns out, dirty public restrooms aren't just bad for business, they're also bad for our health.
One of the most significant factors contributing to the overwhelming number of recent outbreaks is the absence of consistent hand hygiene, especially after using a public bathroom.
Restroom conditions correlate strongly with hand hygiene, especially:
- The condition and functionality of the sinks, as well as;
- The availability of soap and paper towels.
According to Facility Executive;
Poor conditions are the main culprit behind people skipping hand washing during a restroom visit.
Lack of soap and/or paper towels and dirty and/or non-functioning sinks are the two most common reasons for not washing hands.
How Dirty Are Public Restrooms?
It is well understood that the average public restroom is pretty gross.
How gross?
A recent study found genetic traces of more than 77,000 distinct types of bacteria and viruses in restrooms.
The most prevalent include: fecal bacteria, influenza, streptococcus, E. coli, hepatitis, MRSA, salmonella, shigella and norovirus.
Some of the worst offenders include:
- Airblown hand dryers, which studies have shown can hold up to 27 times the levels of bacteria present in restroom paper towel dispensers.
- Toilet water, regardless of the number of times you flush.
- Toilet seats--the covers aren't really helping.
- Soap dispensers which, according to Dr. Chalres Gerba contain "so much fecal matter that you’re almost better off washing your hands in the toilet after you flush it," and;
- The door on the way out of the bathroom, due in part to the poor hand hygiene of a good number of prior occupants.
References & Resources
Takeaway
Restroom cleanliness and hygiene have an enormous and increasing impact on a business's bottom line, now and into the future.
Younger consumers represent the largest demographic demanding healthy public facilities due, in large part, to the increasing media coverage and public awareness of viral outbreaks and the part public facilities, restrooms, and hand hygiene play in the spread of infectious disease.
However, cleaning urine and feces from hard surfaces is the least desirable job in the custodial industry, and keeping the restroom odor-free is often cited as the most difficult task.
The solution to these challenges requires adherence to stringent cleaning schedules and policies by highly skilled service providers equipped with the latest in cleaning technologies, specifically:
- No-touch cleaning equipment.
- Electrostatic disinfection, and;
- Cleaning procedures that eliminate surface cross-contamination.
These services should be combined with:
- Low-flow toilets and urinals.
- No-touch fixtures and dispensers.
- Packet-loaded foaming soap dispensers.
- No-touch hand sanitizer dispensers outside of the restroom, and;
- IoT device monitoring to ensure timely and cost-effective maintenance.
Due to the high costs associated with the acquisition and training of custodial personnel combined with the incredibly high turnover rates for in-house facilities maintenance and cleaning staff, the most cost-effective method for implementing these increasingly necessary services is to outsource to an experienced service provider.
If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation onsite assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Palmdale CA, or Lancaster CA, call (661) 371-4756
