MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS.—For 16 years, Bradley Company’s Healthy Handwashing Survey has tracked how Americans’ public restroom expectations shape their behavior—offering an unmatched view of shifting hygiene trends and their business impact. The 2025 results confirm a powerful truth: restrooms aren’t just functional spaces—they’re a mirror of a facility’s management, brand, and values. Whether they fall short or exceed expectations, the impact on customer perception, loyalty, and spending is immediate. Bradley’s nationally representative survey finds: 84 percent say an unclean or poorly stocked restroom damages a business’s image; 75 percent will think twice before returning after a bad restroom experience; and 71...

FRAMINGHAM, MASS.—Staples announced the arrival of SAFEguard Pro, an aviation-grade anti-icing solution now available to schools, hospitals, hotels, and businesses across ice country. Relying on the same proven technology trusted by airport runways worldwide, SAFEguard Pro prevents ice before it forms—eliminating the dangerous, time-consuming work of ice removal and the hidden costs of cleaning up messy salt tracked indoors. “For 80 years, facility managers have complained about the hidden costs and dangers of ice-melting salts,” said Mitch Vestal, President at Advanced Organics, LLC, maker of SAFEguard Pro. “SAFEguard Pro changes the game by preventing ice altogether.” Some of the Common Complaints About...

NATIONAL REPORT—With winter just a few months away, there is no better time to begin planning for the treatment of the ice that comes with it. While chloride products have been the “go to” ice treatment for years, numerous more eco-friendly products are gaining in popularity. Ed Brookmyer, President of Bare Ground Solutions, says there has been a shift because of environmental concerns—with no compromise on liability and safety. One needs to look no farther than any chloride product to find negative environmental impacts. According to the EPA, chloride products can contaminate drinking water, kill or endanger wildlife, increase soil...

NATIONAL REPORT—In today’s lodging industry, guests are more than travelers—they’re savvy consumers with high expectations for cleanliness, convenience, and corporate responsibility. Whether staying at an upscale resort, boutique inn, or eco-friendly hotel, visitors are increasingly judging establishments by the cleanliness and sustainability of frequently used spaces: the public restrooms. Restrooms, which are interspersed throughout lodging venues—including hotel lobbies, restaurants/bars, spas and fitness centers and convention/event centers—represent one of the first guest encounters that hotel patrons experience. It is vital for these high-traffic spaces to be clean and stocked, easy to use and aesthetically pleasing. According to Bradley’s Healthy Handwashing Survey, 84...

80 percent believe touchless fixtures are essential in public restrooms. 75 percent say touch-free technology improves the overall restroom experience. 84 percent have a negative impression of a business with an unclean restroom. 71 percent say they’ll spend more at a business with a clean, well-maintained bathroom. For more information on the Healthy Handwashing Survey visit https://www.bradleycorp.com/handwashing.

ATLANTA—ASHRAE recognizes the growing concern surrounding the recent clusters of Legionnaires’ disease cases, specifically in New York City and parts of Ohio, reaffirming the Society’s commitment to supporting public health and building safety through accessible guidance on Legionellosis risk management. Legionnaires’ disease, a serious form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, is most commonly associated with water systems where water is not adequately monitored or treated. After periods of heavy rains and flooding, there is an increased risk of Legionnaires’ disease due to potential contamination of water sources and disruptions to water systems. Flooding can mobilize Legionella bacteria-rich biofilms in water systems,...

NATIONAL REPORT—SAFEguard Pro is being greeted with great relief by a marketplace that spends hundreds of hours each snowfall removing ice and cleaning salt residue from flooring.  What has been surprising to many is that facility owners are first drawn to the impact on flooring even more than the labor savings and safety upgrade to their steps and walkways. Airports and roadways now remove ice as a last resort. This best practice is now available to everyone. For over a decade, their goal has been to prevent ice and keep roads and runways open and free of ice. To prevent...

With summer nearly behind us—my son has already been in school a week—it’s time to preview the next few months of the busy trade show/conference season. The season kicks off on August 23 with The Clean Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. (August 23 to 26). This event is a great opportunity to connect with companies ranging from laundry equipment suppliers to floor cleaning equipment suppliers. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how you can reduce energy and water consumption in your cleaning processes. Educational sessions will cover topics such as “Hygienically Clean, Clean Green and...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—There’s an old saying about restaurants: the condition of the restroom is a good indication of how clean they keep their kitchen. Many diners use it as a rule of thumb, and even customers who don’t subscribe to this thinking can be put off by a bad-smelling restroom. Something so far away from food prep can have a real impact on how an establishment is perceived. What might be surprising is where the offending odors actually come from—and how the cleaning process itself can sometimes make things worse. Restroom floor drains, other types of floor drains, and grease traps...

BEACON FALLS, CONN.—LAVATEC plans to honor several exceptional customers at The Clean Show, which is being held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The inaugural class of LAVATEC’s Hall of Fame will be inducted during a 30-minute ceremony on Sunday, August 24 at 3 p.m. in booth 1303. Mark Thrasher, LAVATEC President and Managing Partner, talked about the importance of creating an event that recognizes highly valued customers. “We are getting close to reaching our 9,000th machine installation in North America. One of the things we have in common with the majority of our customers is an appreciation for...