The Worldwide Restroom Report: What Our Global Survey Reveals About Cleanliness, Hygiene, and Hand Drying Habits
In the wake of a global pandemic, expectations for commercial restroom hygiene have reached new heights. Today, spotless, touchless, and hygienic facilities are not just preferred, they’re required. To better understand these changing attitudes, Excel Dryer partnered with MetrixLab, a global market research firm operating in over 90 countries, to conduct a groundbreaking global survey of post-pandemic perceptions of restrooms.
The results are clear: cleanliness is non-negotiable. And with our recently launched Hand Washing & Drying Quiz, individuals can now test their own hygiene knowledge while learning how small habits make a big difference in global health and safety.
Test out your knowledge in our newest Hand Washing & Drying Quiz about what our survey says and be entered to win Beats Headphones. Plus, the first 100 people earn a $5 Starbucks gift card.
Global Survey Says the Top Restroom Concern is Cleanliness
Through collaboration with MetrixLab, Excel Dryer engaged more than 4,000 participants across the United States, Europe, and Asia, including architects & interior designers, facility managers, restaurant owners, and consumers, to uncover what really matters when it comes to restroom design and maintenance.
Across all demographics and regions, one message echoed in this restroom cleanliness survey: The number one concern worldwide is commercial restroom hygiene and cleanliness.
This global survey of post-pandemic perceptions of restrooms also revealed that 100% of respondents agreed that a dirty restroom negatively impacts their impression of a business. The number one cause of restroom messiness is stated to be paper towels, specifically, those piling up on floors and overflowing trash cans. This not only damages brand perception and restroom sanitation but also increases maintenance costs and environmental waste.
Check out the full data from our restroom cleanliness survey.
Post-Pandemic Restroom Trends and Behavior Shifts
The pandemic permanently reshaped commercial restroom hygiene habits around the world. In the United States alone, 75% of consumers now wash their hands up to 10 times a day, a significant increase compared to pre-2020 levels.
This behavioral shift highlights a broader reality: businesses must now design restrooms that meet higher hygiene expectations while maintaining cost-efficiency and sustainability.
Touchless technology, especially touchless hand dryers, plays a pivotal role in achieving this balance. By replacing paper towels with the XLERATOR® and the D|13 Group’s Integrated Sink System featuring our XLERATORsync® Hand Dryer, facilities can deliver a more hygienic, eco-friendly experience while reducing waste and maintenance demands.
These systems not only enhance the guest experience hygiene but also align with the post-pandemic trend toward restroom sanitation and environmental responsibility.
Why a Dirty Restroom Drives Customers Away
No matter how good the food, product, or service, a dirty restroom can ruin a customer’s entire perception of a business. This global survey says that restroom cleanliness directly impacts brand trust and loyalty.
When guests walk into a restroom with overflowing trash bins or wet floors, it suggests neglect to commercial restroom hygiene and that perception carries over to how they view the entire establishment. In fact, 80% of survey respondents said they would not return to a restaurant with an unclean restroom, confirming that restroom conditions directly affect customer retention.
The emotional response is powerful: a clean restroom signals care, quality, and professionalism, while a dirty one communicates indifference. For architects & interior designers, restaurant owners, facility managers, and business operators, this insight is invaluable. Cleanliness isn’t just about hygiene. it’s about reputation amongst consumers.
By adopting touchless hand dryers and reducing paper waste, businesses can maintain consistent restroom sanitation, support sustainability goals, and reinforce customer confidence with every visit.
Guest Experience Hygiene: The Business Impact of Clean Restrooms
Restrooms are often a silent brand ambassador. The global restroom cleanliness survey revealed that the state of a facility’s restroom directly influences how patrons perceive the overall business. Whether it’s a restaurant, airport, university, or office building, guests now equate commercial restroom hygiene with credibility and care.
For facility managers and restaurant owners, this shift underscores a new operational standard: maintaining spotless, touchless restrooms is no longer optional, it’s expected.
Investing in touchless hand dryers helps organizations meet both consumer expectations and environmental goals by eliminating paper waste, reducing energy costs, and promoting sustainable practices that customers notice.
Introducing the Global Hand Washing & Drying Quiz
To complement the global survey’s findings and further champion hygiene education, Excel Dryer launched the Hand Washing & Drying Quiz.
This interactive tool encourages participants to test their knowledge of proper handwashing and drying techniques. Participants will be entered to win Beats headphones, plus the first 100 quiz takers will even receive a free $5 Starbucks gift card as a thank you for taking part.
The quiz was created to bridge the gap between awareness and action, transforming global insights from the global survey of post-pandemic perceptions of restrooms into everyday hygiene habits. By engaging people in a fun and informative way, we’re continuing to lead the conversation on touchless restroom technology and global health education.
How Excel Dryer Solutions Supports Hygiene and Guest Satisfaction
Our commitment extends far beyond innovation in air drying. Through initiatives like the MetrixLab global survey on post-pandemic restroom trends and the Hand Washing & Drying Quiz, we continue to shape how the world thinks about commercial restroom hygiene.
Our touchless hand dryer products are designed for performance, guest experience hygiene, and environmental stewardship. These technologies align with the values of architects & interior designers, restaurant owners, and facility managers who prioritize sustainable, touchless design in modern restroom environments.”
Cleanliness Is Everyone’s Responsibility
The world has spoken, and the message is clear. Clean, hygienic, and sustainable restrooms are not a luxury; they’re a necessity. This restroom cleanliness survey underscores that cleanliness directly shapes customer perception, loyalty, and trust.
Our ongoing research on commercial restroom hygiene and public education initiatives, including the Hand Washing & Drying Quiz, invite everyone to take part in shaping a healthier, more hygienic future.