If high school students were handing out grades for the restroom conditions in high schools, the restrooms would barely be passing.
In its annual Healthy Handwashing Survey, Bradley Corp., connected with more than 1,000 high school students aged 14 to 18 in January to learn about their restroom experiences. The survey revealed that 70 percent of the respondents had a particularly unpleasant experience due to the condition of the restrooms, citing bad smells, crowdedness, clogged and unflushed toilets and stall doors that don’t latch or close properly.
More than half, 57 percent, have simply left the restroom without using it due to the poor conditions. No soap or paper towels rank as the top reasons students don’t wash their hands at school.
On a grading scale, 48 percent of the students gave their schools’ restrooms a “C,” and 26 percent downgraded their restrooms to a “D.”
On an encouraging note, students believe handwashing and good hygiene is important. 97 percent believe handwashing is important to maintaining overall health, and 86 percent do wash their hands before leaving the restroom.
When asked how their restroom experience could be improved, 56 percent of the students say they would like cleaner conditions and dispensers stocked more frequently. They also prefer more privacy with taller doors and no gaps between panels along with more deodorizing or air freshener.
“Unfortunately, poor restroom conditions lead teens to think less of their school and cause them to believe it’s poorly run,” says Jon Dommisse, vice president of marketing and corporate communication for Bradley. “Our research shows that restroom conditions speak volumes about public establishments, including schools, so restroom cleanliness and maintenance is a must.”
Dave Lubach is the executive editor of the facilities market.
