Restroom Cleanliness as a Customer Metric
Facility managers (FMs) and restaurant owners (ROs) increasingly recognize restroom hygiene as an essential part of customer satisfaction. The pandemic brought heightened awareness to public hygiene, and with that came new expectations:

• Greater sensitivity to dirty restrooms: Guests link poor restroom care with overall neglect.
• Higher usage levels: With handwashing up nearly 75 percent, restrooms face heavier traffic and faster wear.
• Touchless technology adoption: Automatic fixtures, dispensers, and doors now shape perceptions of modernity and safety.

A clean restroom is no longer a courtesy; it is a form of brand protection.

What “Dirty” Really Means to Guests
Across both consumers and facility professionals, paper and water issues stand out as the biggest red flags.

• Paper problems such as stray towels or empty dispensers send visual signals of neglect.
• Water on the floor quickly becomes a hygiene and safety concern.
• Broken dispensers, especially paper towel units, are major detractors. In comparative studies, 71 percent of consumers and 85 percent of facility managers rated nonfunctioning paper towel dispensers as worse than broken hand dryers.

The evidence is clear: customers equate visible clutter or malfunctioning equipment with a lack of overall care.

The Perception Gap
Consumers and facility teams do not always see restroom conditions the same way. Customers are far less forgiving, often associating a dirty restroom with lowered trust in food safety, service standards, and brand reliability. Meanwhile, facility or restaurant managers may underestimate how strongly restroom conditions shape a patron’s lasting memory. This gap highlights the value of proactive and consistent maintenance routines.

The Touchless Advantage
Touchless features such as automatic faucets, soap dispensers, and paper systems became mainstream following COVID‑19. For FMs and ROs, these upgrades are not just conveniences. They help reduce paper waste, improve hygiene, and simplify ongoing maintenance. While consumers may take them for granted, seeing such amenities subconsciously reinforces confidence in a facility’s cleanliness and modernity.

The Bottom Line
A restroom is more than a utility space; it is a reflection of how a business values its guests. Clean, functional, and thoughtfully maintained restrooms foster trust, comfort, and repeat visits. Poor conditions can quietly drive customers away.

At Advance Champion Supply, we know that maintaining spotless, well-equipped restrooms is fundamental to great guest experiences. That is why we partner with leading manufacturers to equip facility professionals with the right tools, products, and expertise to achieve consistent, high-quality results.

When restrooms shine, your reputation shines too.

Family owned and operated by the De Rosa family since 1977.

The post The Hidden Power of a Clean Restroom: Why It Shapes Customer Perception and Loyalty appeared first on Advance Paper & Maintenance Supply.

The Sobering Statistics

According to a recent report from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), nearly half of

U.S. adults—a staggering 48%—admit to forgetting or deliberately choosing not to wash their hands in critical situations. This includes moments after visiting grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, or healthcare facilities like doctor’s offices and hospitals.

The timing of this report is particularly significant, coming after what health officials called the worst flu season in 15 years and multiple norovirus outbreaks across the country.

Knowledge vs. Practice: A Critical Gap

While most Americans understand the basics of handwashing in theory, their real-world habits tell a different story. The survey found that 62% of respondents correctly knew that washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds effectively reduces germ transmission. However, knowledge doesn’t always translate to action.

Why People Skip Handwashing

The reasons behind poor hand hygiene habits vary:

Forgetting remains the top reason people don’t wash their hands, but perhaps more concerning is that one in five adults (20%) actively choose not to wash their hands. Their justifications include:

• Believing it’s unnecessary
• Not having enough time
• Worrying about skin dryness

Interestingly, the survey revealed gender differences in handwashing behavior: men are more likely to simply forget, while women tend to reach for alternatives like hand sanitizer when they skip traditional handwashing.

When Americans Do Wash Their Hands

The survey identified the top situations that prompt handwashing:

1. After using the restroom (69%)
2. After handling food (48%)
3. After handling human or animal waste (39%)

However, only 30% of respondents wash their hands after coughing or sneezing—a particularly troubling finding given how easily respiratory diseases like flu spread through airborne droplets.

The Bigger Picture: Health Impact and Motivation

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Health experts estimate that if everyone routinely washed their hands properly, approximately 1 million lives could be saved worldwide each year.

Most Americans (55%) say they wash their hands primarily to stay healthy and avoid illness. Additionally, 68% cited preventing the spread of germs to others as a top motivation, showing that community- minded thinking does influence hygiene habits.

Seasonal Patterns and Post-Pandemic Trends

The data reveals some interesting behavioral patterns:

• 26% of respondents increase their handwashing frequency during fall and winter months, despite germs being present year-round
• One-third of Americans report washing their hands more frequently now than they did during the COVID-19 pandemic

The Bottom Line

As Dr. Robert H. Hopkins Jr., NFID medical director, emphasized: “While handwashing is an important strategy for disease prevention, and should be complementary to vaccination, it is a critical and often overlooked tool.”

The report serves as a crucial reminder that proper hand hygiene remains one of our most powerful— and underutilized—weapons against infectious disease. Bridging the gap between knowledge and practice could have profound implications for public health, potentially saving countless lives and reducing the burden of preventable illnesses.

This summary is based on the 2025 NFID State of Handwashing Report, which provides comprehensive insights into American handwashing behaviors and attitudes.

The post Hand Hygiene Reality Check: Americans Struggle with Basic Handwashing Habits appeared first on Advance Paper & Maintenance Supply.

Air Dryers vs. Paper Towels: The 70/30 Split

Currently, paper towels are winning the popularity contest, with users choosing them over air dryers at a 70/30 ratio. This preference isn’t just about personal choice – it’s often driven by practical limitations.

Many older facilities simply lack the electrical infrastructure needed for modern air dryers.

For new construction and remodels, there’s a growing trend toward air dryers as builders incorporate the necessary electrical work. However, speed and effectiveness are crucial – slow or weak air dryers actually discourage proper hand hygiene, as people may skip washing altogether rather than wait.

The health debate remains contentious. While some experts cite studies showing air dryers can blow germs into the air, the CDC takes a more neutral stance, stating there isn’t enough scientific evidence to definitively prove one method is more effective at reducing germs than the other.

Smart Paper Towel Choices

For facilities sticking with paper towels, the key is choosing the right dispenser system:

• Stub-roll systems offer the best sustainability benefits
• High-capacity dispensers work best for high-traffic areas
• Manual no-touch systems provide universal accessibility
• Avoid c-fold towels – they score poorly on user experience, maintenance frequency, and cost- effectiveness

Strategic Hand Sanitizer Placement

While handwashing with soap and water remains the gold standard for infection prevention, hand sanitizers serve as crucial backup when sinks aren’t available. Smart placement includes:

• Facility entrances
• Near elevators
• Outside restrooms
• Nursing stations and classrooms without sinks

The CDC recommends sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content, though they won’t be effective against all germs like Cryptosporidium, norovirus, and C. difficile.

Foam Beats Gel

When choosing sanitizer types, foam consistently outperforms gel options. It’s cleaner, more cost- effective, distributes more easily, and dries faster – making it more appealing to users. Wall-mounted dispensers are preferred over bottles or pumps in public settings to avoid spills and maintenance issues.

Don’t Forget the Signage

While most people know how to wash their hands, signage serves important regulatory compliance purposes and acts as helpful reminders. Effective signage should emphasize the 20-second scrubbing rule and can include illustrations to overcome language barriers and engage younger users.

The Bottom Line

Making hand hygiene convenient and accessible dramatically improves health and safety outcomes. Whether you choose air dryers or paper towels, foam sanitizers or gel, the key is selecting solutions that encourage consistent use while meeting your facility’s specific needs and constraints.

Summary based on reporting by Caryn Jones for CleanLink

The post The Great Hand Drying Debate: What Facilities Need to Know appeared first on Advance Paper & Maintenance Supply.

1. Provide Skin-Friendly Soaps and Sanitizers

Skin sensitivities and conditions like eczema affect millions, making certain soaps and sanitizers problematic. Using products that are gentle, dermatologically tested, and certified by reputable organizations ensures that all users can clean their hands comfortably. Advance Champion Supply offers a selection of mild, effective hand hygiene products suitable for diverse skin types.​

2. Install Accessible Dispensers

Physical limitations, whether due to age, injury, or disability, can make traditional dispensers difficult to use. Implementing touchless or easy-to-operate dispensers accommodates a wider range of users, promoting better hygiene practices. Our range includes various dispenser options designed for ease of use and compliance with accessibility standards.​

3. Ensure Reliable Maintenance and Supplies

A clean, well-stocked restroom reflects positively on your facility and encourages proper hand hygiene. Regular maintenance and prompt restocking prevent issues that could deter users from washing their hands. Advance Champion Supply provides comprehensive solutions, including quality products and maintenance support, to keep your restrooms in top condition.​
Cleaning & Maintenance Management

The cleaning professionals at Advance Champion Supply can help you establish a comprehensive handwashing program for your business. We are happy to visit with you, assess your current situation, and provide suggestions. We have everything you need to keep your place clean, healthy, and safe.

The post Enhancing Hand Hygiene Accessibility in Public Restrooms appeared first on Advance Paper & Maintenance Supply.

Bleach is a powerful oxidizer and can sometimes sanitize non-porous surfaces of certain microbials. When you encounter a semi-porous wall covered in mold straight bleach is NOT the product to use. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes that this is not the correct solution.

Most people have come to believe that jug bleach that you purchase in the store which contains sodium hypochlorite is effective in removing discoloration but may leave microflora that will enable the mold to return to the same spot when conditions are right.

So what do we do? First a thorough cleaning of the surface is necessary. There are some products that contain bleach but also contain other antimicrobial agents that will combat the mold. When you use the right kind of antimicrobial the mold will be eliminated and the remaining bio-slime eliminated too.

Education is the key to the proper treatment of mold. Contact your local supply sales professional to determine the correct products for your application.

At Advance Champion Supply we are experts in the science and technology of cleaning. Rely on our expertise to help you. You can visit our cleaning solutions center to learn more about combating mold and other business and household cleaning challenges.

We are here to help you.

The post Bleach and Mold: The Urban Myth appeared first on Advance Paper & Maintenance Supply.

You probably didn’t think of it, but I did.  Handicap or safety grab rails! Yes, they are useful in the bathroom, and shower tub area, and on staircases. We carry a full line of grab rails for many uses. In my shower tub at home, I have installed them. Nothing worse than when your eyes are full of soap, and you lean back to rinse off,  and feel like you’re slipping. Grab the handrail!! I recommend these in every shower. Remember, it’s the little things.

The post It’s the Little Things appeared first on Advance Paper & Maintenance Supply.