Survey Finds Dirty Restrooms Impact Students’ Perception of School

Unclean school restrooms cause students to have a negative perception of their institution and its leaders, according to Bradley Corp.’s Healthy Hand Washing Survey.

Bradley Corp. surveyed 630 high school students across the U.S. on their handwashing habits and school restrooms. Nearly two-thirds (68%) of respondents stated restrooms that are inadequately maintained or unclean show the school doesn’t care about its students, reflect poor management, and lower their overall opinion of the facility. Nearly half of the students queried described the condition of their school restrooms as poor or fair.

“The negative impact of poorly maintained school restrooms is clearly significant and spreads beyond the bathroom doors to the entire school,” says Jon Dommisse, director of strategy and corporate development for Bradley Corp. “Female students are even more inclined to be negatively influenced by run-down school restrooms.”

The survey found the condition of a school restroom likely factors into a student’s decision on whether or not to visit the restroom. While most (81%) use their school restroom on a daily basis, 19% claimed to never frequent it. The survey found students avoid the facilities in part because they’re dirty, smelly, or have broken or old toilets, sinks, and doors.

Outside of schools, restroom conditions in public businesses also influence high school students’ perceptions and preferences. Most students (62%) have frequented a particular business based on its cleaner, well-maintained restrooms. Similarly, 64% of adults show preferential treatment for businesses with pleasant restrooms.

Learn more on how you can shift the perception of a facility by creating the kind of restroom users desire.