New research examining more than 350 real-world handwashing experiences shows why plumbing performance must be considered as part of the complete public handwashing system
The newly released 2026 Clean Hands Index examined more than 350 public handwashing experiences across 240 public facilities and surveyed more than 2,800 people.
Although 93% of Americans say handwashing is important to their overall health, only 76% say they always wash their hands after using a public restroom, and 77% have witnessed someone leave without washing.
86% say restroom quality reflects the quality of a company’s goods and services.
The annual Healthy Handwashing Survey from Bradley queried 1,020 American adults Jan. 5 -16, 2026. Conducted annually since 2009, the survey tracks attitudes and habits around handwashing, hygiene, and restroom perceptions in public facilities.
Heightened concern over H3N2 and seasonal viruses drives better hand hygiene, yet lapses in public restrooms persist.
According to the 2026 Healthy Handwashing Survey™, 70% of Americans are very or somewhat concerned about contracting the flu compared to 59% who felt that way just three years ago.
84% say dirty restrooms hurt a business’s image — 71% reward clean ones with return visits.
Bradley Company’s 2025 Healthy Handwashing Survey reveals how public restroom design directly shapes customer behavior, providing important insights for plumbing specifiers, engineers and contractors.
With top-fill functionality for easy refilling and a sensor-activated system promoting hand washing, WaveCrest dispensers ensure both hygiene and convenience.
The donation included gallons of hand sanitizer gel, a pallet of stainless steel hand sanitizer dispensers —
with stand-alone and wall-mounted units —
and batteries to operate the dispensers.