​Americans are Concerned about Cleanliness of Businesses and Germs Post COVID-19.

• Most Americans (70%) are not working from home, which is leading to more reasons for them to visit businesses whether it be for lunch, after-work errands, happy hour, etc.

​

• Roughly three in five US adults (57%) are more concerned about the cleanliness of a business they frequent due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and over half of US adults (56%) have thought about how clean a business/public space is in the past two years more than ever before.

​

• More than half of Americans (60%) would not return to a business if it wasn’t cleaned to their standards.  This sentiment was felt across all demographics, but even more so with females (62%), those 55+ (63%) and those who are still primarily working from home (65%).

​

• Aside from COVID-19, more than half (55%) of Americans are concerned about other germs and illnesses (e.g., norovirus, rhinovirus, etc.) in public places, with 60% of female Americans feeling that concern.

​​​

​

As we Enter a Post-Pandemic World, we’re Still Paying Close Attention to Cleanliness.

• Nearly three in five (59%) are more aware of surface cleanliness when they’re out in public. Americans want proof businesses are disinfecting.

​

• Over half (51%) say they’d be more likely to frequent a business if it provided evidence their facility has been properly disinfected. Most of our attention out in public is focused on bad smells, restrooms, and surfaces.

​

• Unpleasant odors are America’s biggest concern – nearly three in four (74%) would not return to a business if it had bad odors.

​

• Three in five (63%) U.S. adults said dirty surfaces would deter them from entering a public space, while dirty restrooms would keep away 69%. 80% of those 55+ cited dirty restroom as a deterrence; 87% cited bad odors.

​​​

 

Americans Want to Know that Businesses are Cleaning.  

Over three in 10 Americans (34%) ranked transparency about facility cleaning process as the most important part of businesses they frequent among the below:

​

• The cleaning crew in the facility has been certified by cleaning experts, is transparent about their cleaning processes, and displays certifications of cleanliness.

• The cleaning crew is actively cleaning when I am in the facility.

• The majority of Americans (82%) would do or say something if a business wasn’t cleaned to their standards. More than half (54%) wouldn’t visit that business again. One in three (33%) would complain to friends/family. Nearly three in 10 Americans (29%) would speak to a manager.

 

​

Taking Extra Measures in Office Spaces could Provide More Peace of Mind.

• Half of Americans (50%) believe it’s important that extra measures, like providing proof surfaces have been disinfected or hiring certified cleaning staff, are taken to keep their office space clean. This skews higher among those that work from home primarily (60%), female (55%) and Gen Z/Millennials - those 18 to 34 - (56%).

​

• Americans want to feel comfortable in their office buildings – over two in five respondents (44%) would feel more comfortable working in an office building post-pandemic if it was cleaned by cleanliness experts. This sentiment was felt stronger by the females (46%) and Gen Z/Millennials (50%).

​

• Americans need Help Understanding what’s Clean and what isn’t. The majority of Americans are unclear about what makes a space clean – most assume that if a business looks or smells clean then it is clean but smell alone isn’t the sole determinant of whether place is clean or dirty. This skews higher among those that work from home primarily (60%), female (55%) and Gen Z/Millennials - those 18 to 34 - (56%).

​

• Over two in five Americans believe (42%) that if a business looks clean or smells pleasant, then it is clean. Over three out of ten (34%) Americans don’t agree or disagree that if a business looks clean or smells pleasant, then it is clean. Americans are also vastly unaware of cleaning certifications and what they mean. Only 27% of respondents have heard of them and believe all cleaning professionals should have them.