Public Restroom Users Would Like More Privacy
Restroom survey reveals stalls lack sufficient coverage for users February 28, 2024
By Dave Lubach, Executive Editor
Public restrooms are exactly what they say they are – available to the public for building occupants to use. That doesn’t mean the users still do not wish to maintain some level of privacy.
In its 2024 Healthy Handwashing Survey, commercial restroom systems supplier Bradley Corp., revealed that a majority of Americans want more privacy when using public restrooms. In a survey of more than 1,000 adults in early January, 70 percent of respondents said that public restroom stalls lack sufficient “coverage.” Of that group, 58 percent say they would prefer the gaps around the stall doors and walls were eliminated.
When looking for improvements, respondents suggested overall cleanliness, better stocking of soap and towels and more touchless fixtures.
Some other interesting results from the poll:
- 40 percent of respondents choose the stall that’s furthest from the entrance
- 35 percent are annoyed when someone selects the stall next to them, despite others being available
- 45 percent would appreciate stall doors extending all the way to the floor
- 74 percent have used the gap under the door to determine if the stall is occupied
- 96 percent think it would be helpful if visual indicators on the stall doors show if the stall is occupied.
The poll also revealed some of the top complaints of restroom users:
- Used paper towels left on the floor or around the sink (62 percent)
- Splashed water on countertops and floors (46 percent)
- Careless or reckless behavior damaging the facility (41 percent).
A couple of other interesting findings:
- 74 percent of women say they’ve had to use their foot to keep a non-working stall door closed
- 25 percent of adults have dropped their phone, keys, wallet or a purse in a public restroom toilet.
Dave Lubach is executive editor of the facilities market.
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