Teens Say High School Restrooms Smell Bad

Unfortunately, most students use their school restrooms sparingly. The majority (64%) said they visit the facilities just once or twice a day,  according to the Healthy Handwashing Survey™, conducted by Bradley Co. When asked why they avoid a restroom, about 40% cited that it’s usually dirty or smells bad.

Most (70%) report they’ve had a particularly unpleasant experience due to the condition of the facilities. In addition to unpleasant smells, other factors that cause the most negative feelings are too many people in the restroom, clogged/unflushed toilets, and stall doors that don’t latch closed.

When they encounter an unhygienic situation, 57% leave without using the restroom, and nearly half said they steer clear of using that restroom in the future.

Teens also take issue with their peers’ negligence in restrooms. They’re particularly bothered by reckless behavior that causes damage to the facility (57%) and used paper towels left on the floor or in the sink area (53%), which makes the space look unkempt.

Overall, 48% of high schoolers say their school restrooms are average, which equates to a C grade, and 26% feel the conditions are poor, meaning the facilities got a D.

When asked how their school restrooms could be improved, 56% responded that they would like them to be cleaner and stocked more frequently. More privacy with taller doors and no gaps between panels is another top request, along with more frequent deodorizing or use of air freshener.

Teens are educated about the benefits of cleanliness. Most (97%) believe lathering with soap and water is essential for maintaining their overall health. Despite that, nearly two-thirds admit on occasion they’ve cheated by skipping the soap and instead simply rinsing with water. In addition, one-third say they frequently see others leave the school restroom without washing up at all.

Students have also learned that handwashing with soap is better than hand sanitizer when it comes to removing the most germs from their hands. Most (72%) correctly believe hands are less germy when they lather up with soap and water than after using sanitizer.

In general, students are conscientious about staying healthy. The majority (74%) avoid a sick classmate by eliminating physical contact and staying away from them. In the restroom, students circumnavigate germs by operating the toilet flusher with their foot and using a paper towel to mitigate contact with doorknobs and faucets.