Most Americans seek out – and spend more – at businesses with good bathrooms while canceling businesses with messy ones Businesses that fail to keep their restrooms clean and maintained are unwittingly flushing away customers’ repeat business and sales. According to the Healthy Handwashing Survey™ from Bradley Corporation, almost 60% of Americans make it a point to Read more
bathroom
Most Americans seek out – and spend more – at businesses with good bathrooms while canceling businesses with messy ones
Businesses that fail to keep their restrooms clean and maintained are unwittingly flushing away customers’ repeat business and sales. According to the Healthy Handwashing Survey™ from Bradley Corporation, almost 60% of Americans make it a point to stop at a business and will spend more money at the establishment if they know it has clean and maintained restrooms.
In fact, those age 25-44 are even more likely to shell out more cash based on the condition of a business’ restroom.
Conversely, there are negative business repercussions for experiencing a restroom in poor condition. More than half of Americans say an unclean or unpleasant public bathroom shows poor management and causes them to lower their opinion of the overall establishment. The 55+ age group is especially turned off by unkempt restrooms with more than 60% reporting a damaged impression of the overall business.
Almost 20% say a sloppy restroom actually makes them less likely to clean up after themselves.
The business fallout of unpleasant restrooms
Perhaps most damaging for customer-facing businesses is that 52% say a bad restroom experience causes them to vow not to return in the future or think twice about doing so. Another 32% will either tell a friend or post a comment on social media about the negative encounter.
While there are a variety of restroom maintenance issues that may tarnish customers’ restroom experiences, the most common ones include clogged or unflushed toilets; an overall appearance that is old, dirty or unkempt; unpleasant smells; and empty or jammed dispensers for soap, toilet paper and hand towels.
“Restroom maintenance may seem like a business no brainer but limited budgets and facility staffing issues mean that companies are doing more with less staff and resources,” says Jon Dommisse, vice president of marketing and corporate communication, Bradley Corporation. “Nevertheless, customers place a high value on clean restrooms – and reward businesses that offer them. It’s incumbent upon facility managers to prioritize regular restroom cleaning and make sure that everything is in good working order.”
Understanding the aversion to touching restroom surfaces
“In 2023, Americans continue to be in an elevated state of germ consciousness and don’t like touching things in shared public restroom spaces,” adds Dommisse. “As a result, people use all sorts of techniques to avoid coming into contact with surfaces.”
62% use a paper towel to avoid touching toilet flushers and faucet and door handles. 43% operate the flusher with their foot. 31% hover over the toilet seat and 27% open and close doors with their behind to eliminate contact. Women are considerably more likely than men to use these evasive actions.
With so many people deliberately avoiding contact with restroom surfaces, it’s not surprising that 82% believe it is important to have touchless fixtures in a public restroom. Another 60% are more likely to return to a business that offers touch-free technology like faucets, flushers, soap and towel dispensers in its restrooms.
“When asked what restroom improvements they’d like to see, cleanliness topped the list,” Dommisse said. “After that, Americans want touchless fixtures and better stocking of supplies, such as toilet paper, soap and paper towels.”
The annual Healthy Handwashing Survey from Bradley Corp. queried 1,025 American adults Jan. 4-10, 2023, about their handwashing habits, concerns about the coronavirus and flu and their use of public restrooms. Participants were from around the country and were fairly evenly split between men (45%) and women (55%).
For more information, visit www.bradleycorp.com/handwashing.
The Challenge Aqua Savers, a company that specializes in retrofitting water-efficient products in multifamily properties, completed a water efficiency program for the Washington, DC community, Girard Street Apartments. The apartments, built to offer an affordable housing option for residents ages 55+, were required to be ADA compliant to fit the needs of their tenants. Upon Read more
The Challenge
Aqua Savers, a company that specializes in retrofitting water-efficient products in multifamily properties, completed a water efficiency program for the Washington, DC community, Girard Street Apartments.
The apartments, built to offer an affordable housing option for residents ages 55+, were required to be ADA compliant to fit the needs of their tenants. Upon the completion of the preliminary water bill analysis, it was clear that there was an issue at the property that needed to be investigated. When Aqua Savers completed the onsite audit, it was learned that the existing toilets had been improperly installed and were using a high GPF, thus resulting in exorbitant water and sewer costs for a property of its age and size.
The Products
The existing toilets were replaced with an Ultra-High-Efficiency model from Niagara. The Original utilizes Niagara’s patented Stealth Technology® and comes in an elongated shape that is best for comfort.
By using a vacuum-assisted flush that uses ambient air inside a simple vessel, The Original can flush up to 800g of miso in as little as 0.8 GPF. Niagara’s Original with Stealth Technology can meet the ADA requirements through various options of handle functionality, height, and accessibility, making it the perfect choice for this property.
The Results
By just replacing toilets, the property was able to realize a 77% reduction in consumption and a 73% decrease in water/sewer cost. These reductions resulted in a 375% monthly ROI for the owners, who were so satisfied with Niagara’s Original and Aqua Saver’s services, that they have retrofitted several other properties and are seeing similar results.
Niagara®, the leader in high-performance, water-saving toilets today announced the addition of two new lines of modern sinks that will complement its award-winning Liberty and Shadow toilet lines – part of the brand’s Pro product suites. Both collections are dedicated to the traditional wholesale channel and designed specifically with features and benefits for builders, remodelers and plumbing Read more
Niagara®, the leader in high-performance, water-saving toilets today announced the addition of two new lines of modern sinks that will complement its award-winning Liberty and Shadow toilet lines – part of the brand’s Pro product suites. Both collections are dedicated to the traditional wholesale channel and designed specifically with features and benefits for builders, remodelers and plumbing professionals.
The new sink lines provide designers and building pros with matching options for Niagara’s Liberty and Shadow lines, creating modern bathroom collections for residential, multifamily and hospitality properties. The two new lines of sinks feature eight different SKUs that include drop-in and pedestal options, round and oval shapes and varying heights and circumferences. All are made from white vitreous china that is easy to clean and matches perfectly with Niagara’s toilet lines.
“We continue to listen closely to building professionals, helping us create innovative products that not only make their jobs easier but that ultimately provide their customers with collections that deliver modern design, water-saving powerful performance and easy installation,” said Carl Wehmeyer, executive vice president at Niagara. “These new sinks are now part of cohesive sets that will make it seamless to design bathrooms which possess form and function.”
Niagara’s Liberty Collection installs quickly and the toilets have an extra-large footprint that uses a standard flapper that is familiar to plumbers. At a 1.28 GPF flush volume, the Liberty toilets can flush 800g of miso, carry a 15-year warranty, and are MaP and WaterSense certified.
Niagara’s Shadow Collection includes toilets with Stealth Technology® — the best solution for those wanting high design, performance and efficiency. Offered in 0.8 and 1.28 GPF, the sleek design of the sink and toilet will upgrade the appearance of any bathroom. The Shadow toilets flush 1,000g of miso, carry a 15-year warranty, and are MaP Premium and WaterSense certified.
The new Niagara sinks, like their matching toilets, boast a lifetime warranty on vitreous china and a dedicated team of customer service professionals for the wholesale plumbing channel who are available to answer questions.
Interested customers can find more information about Niagara’s new sinks that complement their Liberty and Shadow lines on Niagara’s Pro website. The new sinks are available now and sold exclusively through wholesalers across the United States.
Powerful Performance, Water Efficiency and Modern Design Niagara®, the leader in high-performance, high-technology, water-saving toilets, introduced its new Phantom One Piece toilet at the 2023 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). The new Phantom is a fresh blend of design and award-winning technology, offering industry leading performance and water efficiency that will help customers reduce water consumption and alleviate high Read more
Powerful Performance, Water Efficiency and Modern Design
Niagara®, the leader in high-performance, high-technology, water-saving toilets, introduced its new Phantom One Piece toilet at the 2023 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). The new Phantom is a fresh blend of design and award-winning technology, offering industry leading performance and water efficiency that will help customers reduce water consumption and alleviate high utility bills.
The new Phantom One Piece toilet includes Niagara’s patented Stealth Technology®, which has won more than 15 industry and EPA WaterSense® awards for re-engineering the flush into a high-power, low-maintenance, virtually clog-free, water-efficient solution that has saved billions of gallons of the world’s water. This innovative technology has a vacuum-assist pull and a noise-cancelling tank for a whisper-quiet flush. At an efficient 0.8 GPF, the new Phantom One Piece is powerful enough to flush 1,000g of miso, is MaP Premium rated, WaterSense certified and impressively surpasses all industry drain line carry standards.
The Phantom One Piece displays a modern, sleek design that is ideal for residential, multifamily and hospitality properties. It also offers a comfortable elongated bowl and ADA height. Its design offers a concealed trapway that’s aesthetically pleasing and makes it one of the easiest toilets to clean. The new Phantom includes upgraded components like zinc powder-coated handles available in left or right options and a Fluidmaster® fill valve that dramatically reduces noise.
“Water and money saving solutions continue to be top of mind for many Americans,” said Carl Wehmeyer, executive vice president at Niagara. “Our products help alleviate high utility bills and reduce impacts of drought in the U.S. The Phantom One Piece clearly illustrates how our team continues to innovate and develop high-performing, water-saving products with cutting-edge design that meet the modern needs of our customers.”
Builders and plumbing professionals will find the convenience of a pre-assembled tank extremely useful. Because of this feature, pros can install the Phantom quickly and efficiently, leaving little room for error. The Phantom also offers an extra-large footprint making installation faster and easier leaving less room for errors and providing the ability to cover old tile.
The new Niagara Phantom One Piece boasts an industry leading, 15-year warranty on tank trim, a lifetime warranty on vitreous china and a dedicated team of customer service professionals for the wholesale plumbing channel available to answer questions.
Interested customers can find more information about Niagara’s new Phantom One Piece on Niagara’s website. The new Phantom is available now and sold exclusively through wholesalers across the United States.
A comfy home creates a sense of security, assurance, and ambiance. Beyond functionality, lighting and plumbing fixtures are in the fashion-forward category, adding to the overall home’s design. As homeowners become more design-conscious, brands are creating unconventional fixtures that turn homes into chic sanctuaries. Here are a few trends in decorative lighting and plumbing. 1. Read more
A comfy home creates a sense of security, assurance, and ambiance. Beyond functionality, lighting and plumbing fixtures are in the fashion-forward category, adding to the overall home’s design. As homeowners become more design-conscious, brands are creating unconventional fixtures that turn homes into chic sanctuaries. Here are a few trends in decorative lighting and plumbing.
1. Modern Farmhouse Theme
The trendy modern farmhouse theme holds a firm grip on plumbing and lighting, blending modern and vintage styles. The oversized lighting fixtures create a spectacular statement, best demonstrated when combining three large pendants over your kitchen island.
This style is prominent in the kitchen and can be seen in sinks and faucets. Typically, Apron sinks are stylish and functional, providing an ideal space for food prep in any home. The generous combination of stainless steel and brass plumbing fixtures creates a practical and chic look in the kitchen.
However, the kitchen and bathroom are prone to fast-paced trends that can fade into oblivion, making your space look dated quickly. It’s important to carefully combine your options to ensure the best looks.
2. Matte Black Plumbing Fixtures
Matte black is a tried and tested design trend across popular plumbing and lighting fixtures. Contemporary design enthusiasts love the minimalist style due to its ability to blend with cozy accessories. The design element is best implanted in bright, airy spaces like outdoor living spaces with low voltage LED deck lights.
Particularly, white surfaces and matte black faucets give your kitchen or bathroom a stylish touch. The design can neatly unify cabinetry hardware, adding character to a neutral space. Besides their outstanding functionality, the plumbing fittings are versatile, making them ideal for people who want to incorporate different design accents in their homes. Typically, you can mix and match sinks with gold and stainless steel shades. But if you want to create a timeless statement, you can combine warmer shades with cooler options like chrome.
3. Warm Gold and Soft Pastels
Gold finishes are timeless, but softer shades dominate plumbing and lighting fixtures. Combining gold and honey tones with a brushed finish gives your home a soft feel. And since a careful blend of metal fixtures can create an eclectic feel in your space, placing warm metals against cooler ones creates a rich visual appeal.
However, gold fixtures are best paired with matte black in neutral spaces to create an awe-striking contrast. Regardless, keep the design subtle to ensure cool and warm tones don’t compete for attention.
Mute color palates create a calming effect, transforming your home into a peaceful abode. The trendiest pastel shades in lighting fixtures include softer hues like creamy mint, millennial pink, and robin egg blue. The design works best in pendant lights hanging over a statement kitchen island or flush mounts in the stairway to create ambiance. The trend blends well with transitional spaces in coastal living designs.
Conclusion
While some people still cherish conventional designs, more homeowners seek trendy and stylish designs that create a contemporary feel. Plumbing and lighting fixtures from popular brands demonstrate endless possibilities with different accents, color shades and designs.