While washing his hands in public places across six continents over the last thirty years, Clean Hands Certified founder Tim Cromley kept encountering the same problem: public handwashing was almost always a compromise.

A restroom might have a touch-free faucet but a manual soap dispenser. Warm water might never arrive. Hand drying might be poor. Or, after washing, the only way out might be to grab a door handle.

What made this especially frustrating was that the technology to solve these problems already existed. Touch-free soap dispensers, sensor faucets, dependable warm water, hygienic hand drying and hands-free exits were all available—yet they were rarely brought together as one complete handwashing experience.

That led to a simple question:

That question became the starting point for a deeper investigation into public handwashing—and eventually, Clean Hands Certified.

More than 330 public handwashes at over 220 locations were documented and evaluated based on five simple elements: touch-free soap, a touch-free faucet, warm water, hygienic hand drying and a hands-free exit.

The results revealed a consistent problem: public handwashing is often treated as a collection of individual products rather than one complete experience.

That insight became the foundation for Clean Hands Certified.

Visiting hundreds of facilities could reveal a pattern—but meaningful change would require more people.

Clean Hands Certified was created to give the public a voice in public handwashing. By recommending locations, recognizing facilities that get it right and encouraging improvement where it is needed, everyone can help raise the standard.

What started with one person paying attention can now become millions of people paying attention.

The mission does not end with improving public restrooms.

A share of the profits from Clean Hands Certified funds the work of CleanHands.org, helping improve handwashing in underserved parts of the world through education, improved methods and built infrastructure.

As communities gain access to clean water, we want to help make sure they also have access to effective handwashing.

Participation in Clean Hands Certified helps raise the standard of public handwashing here while supporting better handwashing for people around the world.