Dirty workplaces are costing the Australian economy at least $30 billion each year (source: PWC study). The washrooms might have facilitated (many people don’t wash their hands) some of the spread and proliferation of microbes on desks, doorknobs, elevator buttons, phones and other surfaces of contact.

Aside from lost productivity, we should also consider the lost income (plus a tarnished reputation) because of dirty workplaces and washrooms. It’s especially the case in the hospitality industry and healthcare facilities where cleanliness and trust are everything. No matter how excellent the guest and patient service is, a filthy washroom can instantly ruin it all.

How filthy washrooms impact our businesses

A clean and orderly workplace tells a lot about how people conduct business. It’s the same case with our premises’ washrooms because we are judged by every detail customers see. For instance, a smelly washroom can instantly repel a potential client or even make patients and customers question the company’s integrity.

It’s not an exaggeration because more and more Australians are now becoming aware of the hygiene standards and conditions in residential and commercial premises. In fact, Australians are spending an average of $4 billion each year on cleaning services (source: The Daily Telegraph). It’s a thriving industry in response to the high standards of Australians when it comes to cleanliness. Businesses should then exceed those standards and expectations if they also want to thrive and keep the customers.

It’s not just a matter of perception because people’s health and safety are also at stake here. The spread of diseases is costly in terms of hospital bills, medications and lost opportunities and productivity. Customers are aware of that so they’re now being selective on which businesses they patronise or buy from. After all, it’s their health and safety at stake here and they don’t want to risk it if they sense something’s off.

Unsanitary areas such as toilet seats (and yes including the taps and soap dispensers) are always perceived to be filthiest surfaces which is why people (both the customers and the staff) do all they can to avoid touching them (perhaps one reason people don’t wash their hands in the first place). Good thing is there are no-touch hand soap dispensers now that encourage the washing hands and improving hygiene and sanitation at the same time.

Because of the importance of washroom hygiene, businesses now take measures to improve cleanliness and promote the washing of hands for the sake of both their employees and customers. After all, additional hygiene measures are a small investment compared to the cost of diseases and lost income, productivity and opportunity.