Survey Reveals Students' Restroom Gripes as School Resumes: 70% Have Issues With Campus Potties

The 2024 Healthy Handwashing Survey, conducted by Bradley Company, surveyed 1,012 high schoolers aged 14 to 18.Photo byBence Balla-SchottneronUnsplash

As students head back to school, a new survey sheds light on their handwashing habits and thoughts on school restrooms. The 2024 Healthy Handwashing Survey, conducted by Bradley Company, surveyed 1,012 high schoolers aged 14 to 18, revealing both hygiene awareness and concerns about restroom conditions, the survey found.

The survey found that while 97% of teens understand the importance of handwashing with soap and water, nearly two-thirds admit to occasionally skipping the soap and just rinsing with water, according to the survey. Moreover, one-third of students report frequently seeing peers leave the restroom without washing their hands at all. Despite this, 72% correctly believe that handwashing with soap is more effective at removing germs than using hand sanitizer, the survey stated.

Restroom conditions at schools appear to be a significant issue for students. About 64% of teens said they use school restrooms only once or twice a day, with 40% avoiding them due to dirtiness or bad smells, according to the survey. A staggering 70% have experienced unpleasant situations in school restrooms, such as clogged toilets or stall doors that don't close properly. Consequently, 57% of students simply leave without using the restroom when faced with such conditions, and many avoid problematic restrooms altogether, the survey found.