People have different habits when it comes to using public bathrooms. Some might always wipe the toilet seat first. Some prefer air-dryers over hand-towels. While others resort to using hand sanitisers instead of hand washing.

With so many variables in the mix, it’s no wonder public bathroom hygiene is often more likely to be a ‘miss’.

Public restrooms are ideal environments for germs to thrive because they are warm, wet, and humid. According to the CDC, using the bathroom leaves 200 million bacteria per square inch on your hands. That is massive because we are talking about  E.Coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus Aureus. 

Bathroom bacteria can turn up in some surprising spots like the sink, the sanitary bin, the door handle, the flush button. In fact, the simple act of flushing the toilet can also send masses of bacteria circulating through the air. 

Who is the main culprit here? Our hands!
Human hands act like  germ super-spreaders. They spread germs to door knobs, handrails, flushes, taps, and sanitary bins. If we touch these surfaces then unconsciously touch our noses, mouths, or eyes, bacteria can make its way into our bodies, and could even make us sick. In fact, the CDC estimates a staggering 80% of diseases are transmitted through our hands.

So, what’s the best way to keep your public washrooms germ free?

Studies have shown that the simple act of washing your hands with soap can reduce your risk of contracting certain diseases by 42-47%. However, that’s not the only thing to be done. We spoke to Jack Sim, Founder and Director of the World Toilet Organization, to understand the best ways to maintain washroom hygiene in commercial facilities, especially public spaces.

People often worry about visiting a public washroom and the reason primarily is because they are scared that it might be stinking, there might be odour, there might be pathogens or bacteria or even viruses that could come from the surfaces.What are the key elements of maintaining high hygiene standards in public washrooms and how often should they be cleaned? 

The "ABC" approach—Architecture, Behavior, and Cleaning—is essential for creating public toilets that are hygienic, functional, and user-friendly. These three pillars address the unique challenges of maintaining shared facilities, ensuring they meet the demands of high traffic while remaining clean and welcoming.

Architecture

Designing a public toilet is entirely different from designing a home toilet. A home toilet, which may be used around 20 times daily, contrasts significantly with a public restroom in a shopping center that handles up to 2,000 uses a day. Public toilets must be built for durability and heavy usage, incorporating robust materials and ergonomic designs. Key considerations include space for cleaning equipment, proper handwashing and drying facilities, and features that minimize water spillage, preventing dirt and moisture from spreading to other areas.

Lighting and ventilation are equally critical, ensuring the space remains bright, well-aired, and odor-free. Public toilets must also be tailored to the demographics and frequency of users. For instance, high-traffic areas like shopping malls require heavy-duty designs that can withstand constant use while maintaining comfort and hygiene for users.

Behavior

The condition of a facility often reflects the behavior of its users, and this behavior is, in turn, influenced by the facility itself. A clean, well-maintained restroom naturally encourages users to treat it with respect. However, fostering a culture of responsible behavior goes beyond design—it requires public education.

Awareness campaigns at schools, homes, and through public messaging can instill the importance of respecting shared spaces. Early education, starting in kindergartens and continuing through secondary schools, helps cultivate positive habits over time. Creating a social norm where respecting public facilities is seen as a sign of good character can significantly enhance user behavior. This, in turn, reduces the wear and tear caused by misuse and ensures that public toilets remain in good condition for longer periods.

Cleaning

No matter how well a toilet is designed or how respectful users are, cleanliness ultimately depends on regular maintenance. Public restrooms require daily cleaning to handle the volume of use effectively. Additionally, periodic deep cleaning and preventive maintenance are necessary to address wear and tear, particularly in high-traffic areas like airports, malls, and train stations.

In places with heavy usage, facilities may require complete renovations every 7–8 years to maintain functionality and hygiene. Cleaning protocols should also include proper staff training, ensuring that cleaners are equipped to handle the unique demands of public restrooms while adhering to high standards of sanitation.

Automation for Hygiene

Automated systems, such as touchless faucets, soap dispensers, and hand dryers, are revolutionizing public restroom hygiene. By reducing contact points, these technologies limit the spread of germs and enhance user convenience. In a post-COVID world, where awareness of disease transmission is heightened, touchless solutions are becoming a necessity rather than a luxury.

Combining the ABC framework with automation offers a comprehensive strategy for cleaner, safer, and more efficient public restrooms, setting new standards for hygiene and user experience. This integrated approach ensures public spaces remain welcoming and sustainable for the future.

What role does proper handwashing education play in improving washroom hygiene in commercial and public spaces? 

About 50% of diseases in the developing countries came from the lack of hand washing.

So I think in a place like the UAE, it will probably be a little less, but still, as you can see, the magnitude of the disease transfer from hand being not clean is very serious. One of the facts is that people wash their hands, but they don't wash long enough. So you need to scrub the entire fingertips and the fingers behind.

And I think the simple guide is to finish the Happy Birthday song in your mind as you wash your hands. And that will probably be like 15 to 20 seconds. Another very critical part is the cutting of fingernails because dirt is trapped.

For instance, if restaurant cooks don't cut their fingernails and they prepare food, sometimes the transfer comes from there. So washing hands is a quintessential practice as one gram of feces can contain 10 million pathogens.

Perfectly clean hands will bring health to all our food we eat and also to our personal hygiene. 

What is your opinion about eco-friendly practices in washroom hygiene.How can businesses effectively implement eco-friendly practices in washrooms without compromising on hygiene standards? 

There are numerous water-saving solutions available today, including advanced toilets and devices equipped with sensors. These sensors are particularly effective because they automatically shut off water flow as soon as your hands are removed, preventing unnecessary wastage.

When it comes to showers, using a hot-and-cold mixer is much more efficient than two separate taps. With dual taps, people often leave the water running to maintain the right temperature balance, which leads to wastage. A mixer ensures a steady flow at the desired temperature, reducing the need to leave water running unnecessarily.

Similarly, modern flush toilets now come with a range of water-saving mechanisms, helping conserve significant amounts of water with every use.

It’s essential to adopt these water-saving practices and technologies as water remains one of our most critical resources. Without conscious efforts to prevent wastage, we risk depleting it. Prioritizing water efficiency is no longer an option—it’s a necessity.

What are some of the best practices for maintaining high traffic washrooms during peak usage times to ensure continuous cleanliness? 

Let me share some examples. In Japan, train station restrooms handle incredibly high foot traffic yet remain consistently clean. This is largely due to thoughtful design that minimizes water spillage, keeps surfaces dry, and ensures ergonomic traffic flow to accommodate large volumes of people. These considerations make it easier for cleaners to access, clean quickly, and leave without disrupting users.

Interestingly, the World Toilet Organization collaborated with China two decades ago when many public and tourism toilets were poorly maintained, and cultural practices didn’t prioritize hygiene. Inspired by Japan’s success, China embraced the challenge, improving design, cleanliness standards, and public awareness.

Today, most public and tourism toilets in China are notably clean—a remarkable transformation driven by the belief that if Japan could achieve it, so could they. It’s a testament to the power of innovation and determination to create hygienic spaces for everyone.