Americans Skimping on Handwashing Third Year into the Pandemic

When the coronavirus pandemic first began in the U.S. in spring of 2020, Americans reported washing their hands an average of 10.5 times per day. Nearly two years later, that frequency is down 25% to 7.8 times per day, according to the latest Healthy Handwashing Survey™ from Bradley Corp.

The annual survey questioned more than 1,000 American adults last month about their handwashing habits and concerns about the coronavirus. Participants were from around the country and almost evenly split between men (46%) and women (54%).

The survey found while the adult population may be dialing back on their handwashing routine, most are not letting up on their children, with 79% of parents reporting they are encouraging their children to wash their hands more regularly. More than half (64%) say their child’s school or day care builds handwashing into the daily schedule, 44% say they regularly ask their kids to wash their hands while at home, and 26% report they have added handwashing to their child’s routine.

More than 60% (61%) of survey respondents correctly believe their hands are less germy after washing with soap and water than after simply using hand sanitizer. Although 63% say they follow the advice of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds, 17% admit to only taking five to 10 seconds for the task.

Overall, the 2022 survey found anxiety about the coronavirus pandemic has relaxed:

• 41% of respondents say they are very concerned about contracting the coronavirus, down from 53% in the 2021 survey.
• Only 36% of respondents in the 2022 survey said they are avoiding handshakes, compared to 49% who said they wouldn’t shake hands in the 2020 survey.
• 78% of respondents say they are more conscious about germs because of the coronavirus pandemic, compared to 89% of respondents in the 2020 survey and 86% in the 2021 survey.

“Germ avoidance and handwashing diligence are two habits that should always be a priority,” said Jon Dommisse, vice president of marketing and corporate communication for Bradley Corp. “No matter the time of year or situation we’re in, lathering up, scrubbing thoroughly, rinsing, and drying your hands is something that should be done consistently without fail.”