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handwashing

Overcoming common barriers to handwashing

Strategies to make hygiene more inclusive in facility restrooms
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
By Katrin Ferge

Why is it still so important to talk about handwashing? The question is raised by the Global Handwashing Partnership, a global advocacy effort dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.

Those of us in the cleaning industry know that handwashing is a fundamental defence against the spread of infections, illnesses, and harmful germs. Still, many are unaware that a significant portion of the population faces barriers to proper handwashing in public restrooms, both visible and invisible.

RELATED: Prioritizing hygiene and sanitization during cold and flu season

There are five common barriers to handwashing and steps facility leaders can take to make hygiene more inclusive in facility restrooms.

Age-related barriers

Each period of life comes with new strengths and challenges, and experiences in the restroom are no exception. For new parents or those with young kids, their experience going to a public restroom looks completely different, from a little one who needs a diaper change to convincing toddlers to endure the loud noise from the air dryer to properly dry their hands. Older adults may experience some physical limitations or conditions like arthritis that make tasks like pressing a soap dispenser more difficult.

Even though these examples are on different parts of life’s spectrum, they share the commonality of people facing challenges when washing their hands. But features like touchless soap and hand towel dispensers in restrooms can help these individuals by offering easier, faster, more accessible handwashing.

Auditory sensitivity

Have you ever been in a loud space – like a train station or live music venue – and been overwhelmed by the noise? For some, including people who are neurodivergent, public restrooms can feel the same way, and the culprit is noisy hand dryers, which are almost a constant sound in busy restrooms.

For this reason, paper hand towels are the more inclusive offering. Not only do they eliminate frequent and loud noise in public restrooms, but they are the more hygienic choice (compared to paper towels, jet air dryers produce more airborne droplets,[1] increasing the risk of bacteria spread). They also support many uses besides drying hands like blowing noses, wiping mouths, and helping people avoid touching high-touch surfaces like door handles.

Hygiene concerns

For some people with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), fears or phobias of bacteria can make being in public spaces challenging and stressful. Recent research from Tork found that of the general population, 73 per cent feel unsafe if they cannot wash their hands, but that figure increases to 86 per cent of people with a fear or phobia of bacteria and viruses.[2]

To best accommodate these individuals, a focus on frequent, thorough cleaning of restrooms is essential. Displaying a cleaning log in the restroom can help these individuals feel safer using your restrooms.

Skin sensitivities

Skin conditions such as eczema (atopic dermatitis), which up to 17 per cent of Canadians will suffer from at some point in their lives,[3] are often made worse by harsh, irritating hand soaps. As a result, these individuals may avoid washing their hands in public restrooms. It’s simple for facilities to switch to gentler soaps that are kind to the skin and dermatologically tested.

Lack of privacy

Public restrooms will never be as private and comfortable as being at home. But for some, going to the bathroom in public is highly stressful. Paruresis, also known as Shy Bladder Syndrome, is a social anxiety disorder that makes it difficult or impossible to urinate in the presence of others. The condition affects seven per cent of the population and about two million Canadians.[4] By avoiding using the restroom, these individuals also miss chances to wash their hands and practice proper hygiene, so it’s critical for leaders to make restrooms as private and comfortable as possible to accommodate a variety of needs.

Handwashing and business performance go hand-in-hand

No matter the circumstance, there is a universal truth: if people don’t feel comfortable using a public restroom and don’t have access to proper handwashing, they will make significant changes to their daily routine. In effect, they are more likely to skip food purchases (38 per cent avoid eating and drinking to avoid having to visit a public restroom5) and even avoid visiting business establishments altogether (26 per cent avoid social events because they have concerns about access to restrooms[5]). Infrequent or improper handwashing has consequences for employers as well; if employees don’t feel comfortable in facility restrooms or face barriers to hand hygiene, they are more likely to become ill and potentially be absent from work. By prioritizing inclusive hygiene in public and facility restrooms, leaders can affect change and make it possible for everyone to practice proper handwashing.

Katrin “Kat” Ferge is the North American Regional Marketing Manager for Professional Hygiene – Commercial segment at Essity. In her role, she is focused on Essity’s professional hygiene brand Tork and helping businesses including office buildings, recreational facilities, passenger terminals and educational institutions leverage better hygiene for better business performance. She has more than 15 years of experience in brand communications and marketing.

 Sources

 [1] Margas E. et al, J Applied Microbiol, 2013.

[2] Tork Insight Survey 2024, conducted in US, UK, Germany, France and Mexico among 6000 end-users and 900 businesses. N Global = 6000; N people with bacteria fear/phobia=415.

[3] Canadian Dermatology Association.

[4] International Paruresis Association.

[5] Tork Insight Survey 2024.

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