2026 Clean Hands Index

Surveys

The Clean Hands Index is built on one of the most comprehensive studies ever conducted on public handwashing.

To better understand the current state of public hand hygiene, five independent surveys were conducted among the general public, architects and designers, facility and janitorial professionals, plumbing fixture manufacturers and distributors, and hand hygiene product manufacturers and distributors.

Together, these surveys gathered perspectives from participants across 11 developed countries—the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

Combined with hundreds of real-world handwashing evaluations and in-depth industry interviews, these insights provide a unique 360-degree view of the people who design, specify, manufacture, maintain, and use public handwashing facilities, creating an evidence-based benchmark to guide future improvements in public health, facility performance, and customer experience.

Survey Results – A Closer Look

  • Customers want touch-free features – 74% of the public believe touch-free faucets are important.
  • Most public handwashing experiences still have friction – Only 42.3% completed their most recent public restroom handwash without a barrier.
  • The restroom door is the final handwashing failure point – 74.4% have used a paper towel, sleeve, or other method to open the restroom door.
  • Handwashing is a business trust signal – 80.2% say a clean, well-functioning handwashing area increases trust.
  • Better handwashing can support repeat visits – 74.8% would be more likely to return to a place with excellent handwashing facilities.
  • Certification gives the public a reason to trust the experience – 76.3% say Clean Hands Certified would positively affect their perception.

  • Warm water depends on the system behind the wall – 60.4% identify consistent water temperature as a plumbing-controlled performance factor.
  • Handwashing performance is a water delivery issue – 58.5% identify adequate water pressure and flow as a key influence in successful handwashing.
  • Touch-free only works when sensors work – 72.7% of manufacturers identify inconsistent sensor activation as a field failure point.
  • Value engineering can weaken handwashing performance – 57.1% report customers often prioritize cost over performance.

  • Soap availability is the foundation of compliance – 91.7% identify soap availability as a major factor in proper handwashing.
  • A handwashing system fails when drying fails – 87.5% identify no towels available as a leading user complaint.
  • Public expectations can move the market – 78.9% say public demand and awareness would accelerate Clean Hands Certified adoption.
  • The industry sees value in independent recognition – 89.5% rate recognition as a hygiene system leader as very or extremely valuable.

  • Facilities need a practical path, not just a standard – 71% cite budget as the leading barrier to touch-free upgrades.
  • The mess around the sink shapes public perception – 79% experience messy sinks or counters at least sometimes.
  • Drying failures are still common – 66.1% experience empty towel dispensers at least sometimes.
  • No soap means no real handwashing system – 56.5% experience empty soap dispensers at least sometimes.
  • Facility professionals are open to certification when the business case is clear – 59.6% indicated a positive response to Clean Hands Certified.

  • Touch-Free Matters – 75% agree touch-free fixtures improve hygiene.
  • Hygiene features often lose late in the project – 55% say fixtures are sometimes value engineered late in projects. 
  • The exit is where design intent often breaks – 47% say hands-free exits are the hardest part of the full sequence to implement.
  • Position of influence – 65% agree architects/design team has the greatest influence on fixture selection. 
  • Handwashing performance belongs to the whole project team – Responsibility is viewed as shared.

To purchase a detailed report of these surveys, contact info@cleanhandscertified.com.