The Soap and Detergent Association

2006 Clean Hands Report Card^SM

The following questions were asked of 1008 American adults (508 men and 500 women).  The independent consumer research study was completed in August – September 2006, on behalf of The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA), by International Communications Research (ICR).  The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent.

What do you think is the number one way to prevent colds and flu? 
Results:

• Clean hands regularly (50%)
• Healthy diet (21%)
• Immunization (15%)
• Proper sleep (7%)
• Stress-reduction (3%)   
• No prevention (1 %)
• Don’t know (3%)

Insight:

• More than half of Americans should know that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cleaning your hands is the single most important thing we can do to keep from getting sick and spreading illness to others.

Approximately how many times do you wash your hands on an average day?
Results:

• 1-2 times (3%)
• 3-4 times (11%)
• 5-6 times (18%)
• 7-10 times (24%)
• More than 10 times (42%)
• I don’t wash my hands (.3%)
• Don’t know (2%)

Insight:

• Since 2004, the number of people who wash their hands more than 10 times per average day has increased from 36% to 42%.  However, 32% still only wash up fewer than 7 times per day.  

When you wash your hands, how long do you typically lather them, or rub them with soap?
Results:

• Less than 10 seconds (13%)
• 10-15 seconds (32%)
• 15-20 seconds (21%)
• More than 20 seconds (28%)
• Don’t know (3%)

Insight:

• The SDA and CDC recommend washing with soap for at least 20 seconds to remove germs and dirt, meaning 66% do not wash long enough for this to occur. 

How often do you wash your hands after you cough or sneeze?
Results:

• Always (28%)
• Frequently (34%)
• Seldom (26%)
• Never (10%)
• Don’t know (1%)

Insight:

• 36% of Americans seldom or never wash their hands after they cough or sneeze, slightly up from 43% in 2004. 

How often do you wash your hands before eating lunch?
Results:

• Always (68%)
• Frequently (20%)
• Seldom (8%)
• Never (2%)
• Don’t know (2%)

Insight:

• These numbers are virtually unchanged since 2004, which means that germs from money, door handles and the lunch counter are still bringing more bugs than just ants to the picnic. 

How often do you wash your hands after going to the bathroom?
Results:

• Always (92%) – up from 90% in 2004
• Frequently (5%)
• Seldom (2%)
• Never (1%)

Insight: 

• If you compare survey responses with observational studies, there’s a gap between what people say and what they do.  A 2005 observational study commissioned by SDA and the American Society for Microbiology found that just 83% of people washed their hands after using a public restroom.