ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Research in the UK suggests that fewer people wash their hands after visiting a public washroom now, than in 2018.

The survey of 1,000 people by Initial Washroom Hygiene found that two thirds (66 per cent) of Brits say they always wash their hands after using a public washroom, compared to 74 per cent in 2018. A smaller percentage (54 per cent) say they dry their hands after washing them.

However, outside of the washroom the research suggests that the public is using hand sanitiser to try and help improve hand hygiene. The majority (56 per cent) of those who work in a shared workplace or building state they are likely to sanitise their hands regularly at work in order to help manage hygiene risks.

And the presence of no touch soap, sanitiser and paper hand towel dispensers is likely to boost the public's hand hygiene behaviour. Almost three quarters (73 per cent) of people surveyed indicated they would be more inclined to sanitise their hands if the dispenser is no touch, and 70 per cent of those surveyed said they would be more likely to wash their hands if the soap dispenser provided was no touch.

Jamie Woodhall, technical and innovation manager at Initial Washroom Hygiene commented on the findings. "After so much communication about the importance of handwashing in the past 18 months, it's staggering to see survey results that suggest people's habits are worse now than prior to the pandemic.

"I believe this research shows employers and business owners have an important role to play in encouraging people to practice good hand hygiene. Making it as easy as possible for people to properly wash their hands by providing ample handwashing facilities, touch-free dispensers and signage to act as reminders, can go a long way to helping prevent the spread of bacteria and illnesses."