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Survey of architects and interior designers across the U.S., Europe and Asia shows increased sanitation protocols, demand for touchless features and growing need for space.
Excel Dryer, Inc. partnered with MetrixLab, a global market research leader operating in 90 countries, to conduct an unprecedented international survey examining how the post-pandemic era is reshaping commercial restroom expectations. The study focused on the perspectives of architects and interior designers, key decision-makers in restroom layout, material selection and hand-drying specification. It also looked at the needs of business owners, facility managers and consumers across the United States, Europe and Asia.
Architects and designers signal three clear shifts
Across all regions, architects and interior design professionals reported near-universal agreement on the major changes they’ve observed in commercial restrooms since the pandemic:
- Increased cleaning protocols
- Greater demand for touchless features
- Higher need for space to support social distancing
These shifts reflect heightened expectations for hygiene, operational efficiency and user confidence, which are now essential standards in commercial environments.
What matters most when specifying hand drying solutions
When selecting hand drying technology for new builds or renovations, architects and designers identified their top three priorities:
- Visual aesthetics
- Hygiene performance
- Touchless operation
This prioritisation mirrors the industry’s movement toward integrated, minimalist design and elevated hygiene standards. According to the study, architects and designers agree that compared to paper towels, touchless hand dryers are more hygienic, more sustainable and require significantly less maintenance.
Consumers want touchless fixtures, and they’re washing more than ever
The survey also captured an important shift in public behaviour: 75 per cent of U.S. consumers now wash their hands up to 10 times per day, a major increase from pre-pandemic norms. This level of frequency magnifies the cost and environmental burdens associated with paper towels, multiplying labour, waste, maintenance demands and carbon footprint.
In contrast, 89 per cent of global consumers prefer touchless hand dryers, signalling broad acceptance of, and preference for automated, hygienic drying methods.
A global trend toward hygienic, sustainable restroom solutions
Findings across 4,000+ participants demonstrate that restroom cleanliness and hygiene are the top concerns worldwide. In fact, 100 per cent of respondents agreed that a dirty restroom reflects poorly on a business, and the top contributor to a “dirty” restroom was identified as paper towels on the floor or overflowing trash cans.
These insights reinforce the need for dependable, hygienic and sustainable hand-drying solutions capable of supporting increased usage and elevated expectations.
