Global Handwashing Day: Americans Know Handwashing Matters, but Everyday Habits Fall Short

Bradley Company draws on 17 years of research to encourage consistent handwashing

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Most Americans recognize the importance of washing their hands, but that awareness doesn't always translate into action. To mark Global Handwashing Day on October 15, Bradley Company is sharing insights from 17 years of handwashing research to remind Americans that sudsing up regularly can help protect their health.

Bradley's 2026 Healthy Handwashing Survey™ found that 93% of Americans believe handwashing is important to their health. Yet only 76% say they always wash after using a public restroom, and 44% admit to sometimes skipping soap and simply rinsing with water.

Established by the Global Handwashing Partnership, Global Handwashing Day raises awareness of handwashing with soap as one of the simplest and most effective ways to help prevent diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections. Its multi-year theme, "Be a Handwashing Hero," encourages everyone to champion clean hands by practicing consistent handwashing and helping others build healthy habits at home, at school, at work and in their communities.

"Most people know they should wash their hands, but lack of time, distractions and shortcuts can get in the way," said Jon Dommisse, vice president of business development and strategy at Bradley Company. "Global Handwashing Day reminds us to give this simple habit the attention it deserves – every day, not just when someone nearby is sick."

Seventeen years of research reveal progress – and gaps
Over the years, Bradley's survey has tracked a substantial shift in Americans' response to seasonal illness. In 2011, 59% said they washed their hands more frequently or more thoroughly during seasonal flu outbreaks. By 2026, that figure had risen to 81% -- a 22-percentage-point increase that underscores a growing commitment to handwashing during outbreaks.

Despite that progress, everyday shortcuts persist:

• Consistency has slipped. The percentage of Americans who say they always wash after using a public restroom fell from 81% in 2025 to 76% in 2026.
• Soap gets skipped. Men are more likely than women to admit to rinsing with water alone: 50% versus 38%.
• Lapses are noticeable. More than three-quarters of Americans (77%) have seen someone leave a public restroom without washing.
• Being alone affects behavior. One in five admit they are more likely to skip handwashing when no one else is around.

Make soap and water part of the routine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing hands at key times, including after using the restroom, before preparing or eating food, and after blowing the nose, coughing or sneezing.

To wash properly, wet hands with clean, running water, apply soap and lather all surfaces, including palms, the backs of hands, between fingers and under fingernails. Scrub for at least 20 seconds, rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean towel or an air dryer. Either warm or cold water can be used.

When soap and water are unavailable, the CDC recommends sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. However, soap and water are more effective at removing certain germs, including norovirus.

Support healthy habits with clean, stocked restrooms
Bradley's survey identifies empty soap or paper towel dispensers and dirty or nonworking sinks among the leading reasons people skip washing in public restrooms.

Schools, employers and businesses can champion handwashing by checking supplies, repairing fixtures and posting handwashing reminders. Families can help children learn how to wash thoroughly and direct them on when it's time to head to the sink.

"Handwashing is a personal habit, but supporting it is a shared responsibility," said Dommisse. "Keeping soap available and handwashing areas clean and functional makes it easier for everyone to follow through."

About the survey
Bradley's 2026 Healthy Handwashing Survey queried 1,020 American adults January 5–16, 2026. Conducted annually since 2009, it tracks handwashing habits and public restroom experiences. Visit bradleycorp.com/handwashing.

For more than 100 years, Bradley has been known as the leader in advanced commercial washrooms and comprehensive emergency safety solutions that make public environments hygienic and safe. Bradley innovated the industry's first and most specified WashBar multi-function touchless handwashing and drying fixture. Washroom accessories, Euro-style partitions, HDPE and Phenolic lockers, as well as emergency safety fixtures and electric tankless heaters round out its product range. Based in Menomonee Falls, WI, Bradley Company, a subsidiary of Watts Water Technologies, serves commercial, institutional, and industrial building markets worldwide. www.bradleycorp.com.

SOURCE Bradley Company