Survey finds restrooms make a lasting impression

Survey shows restroom cleanliness has more of a negative impact on older adults’ perceptions.

A new survey commissioned by Cintas Corporation has found that nearly three-quarters of Americans (74 per cent) say dirty restrooms would cause them to have a negative perception of a business.

More than two in three Americans (68 per cent) also say restrooms with empty hand soap, toilet paper and paper towel dispensers would impact their opinion of a business negatively.

The survey of more than 2000 U.S. adults was conducted online by The Harris Poll.

“Facility cleanliness has been in the spotlight since the onset of the pandemic and is more important than ever in protecting a business’s reputation,” said John Engel, director of marketing, Cintas.

“This survey confirms that a clean and well-stocked restroom is important to any business’s image.”

The survey also found that restroom cleanliness is more likely to impact perceptions of older Americans. For example, more than half (56 per cent) of 18 to 34-year-old Americans say dirty restrooms would cause them to have a negative perception of a business.

In comparison, 92 per cent of adults 65 and older would have a negative opinion of a business with dirty restrooms.

Well stocked and pleasant-smelling restrooms are also more likely to impact older adults’ perceptions of a business compared to younger adults.

For example, 58 per cent of 18 to 34-year-old Americans say foul smelling restrooms would cause them to have a negative perception of a business.

In contrast, 86 per cent of adults 65 years of age and older say foul smelling restrooms would cause them to view a business negatively. Additionally, more than half of 18-34-year-olds (56 per cent) say restrooms with empty hand soap, toilet paper and paper towel dispensers would cause them to have a negative perception of a business compared to 85 per cent of those 65 years of age and older.

In addition to restroom cleanliness, the survey found other areas of facility maintenance can impact people’s perceptions of a business. Other key findings include:

  • More than two thirds of Americans (68 per cent) say dirty floors would cause them to have a negative perception of a business
  • More than half of Americans say dirty building entryways (57 per cent), obvious use of dirty mops (56 per cent), dirty windows/exterior glass (51 per cent) and poorly maintained parking lots (51 per cent) would influence their opinion of a business negatively.

“Perception is reality, and the perception of a business can be impacted by facility cleanliness,” Engel added.

“Consider working with an experienced facility services provider that offers outstanding services and supplies so you can focus on what you do best – serving your customers.”

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