Taylor, Mich. (August 8, 2011) - Would it surprise you to know
that one in five adults leaves the washroom without washing their
hands? The busiest room in the house may also be the least efficient,
according to a recent study conducted by Delta Faucet1, a Masco company. The popular faucet brand recently teamed up with Savvy Mommy® Victoria Pericon to launch a nationwide survey to uncover Americans' bathroom behaviors.
According to the survey, nearly 75 percent of households have at most
two bathrooms, which each person uses more than 5-10 times each day.
Recent U.S. Census data shows the average American household has 2.6
residents, meaning those rooms are visited 13-26 times daily. Suffice it
to say, the bathroom is one of the most frequented places in the whole
house.
"People forget that the bathroom is an integral part of their at-home experience," said family lifestyle expert Savvy Mommy®
Victoria Pericon. "Whether it serves as a private sanctuary for mom, a
place to showcase your design style to guests, or a room where kids
learn everyday habits, the bathroom is one space in the home that gets
used consistently, every day."
Pericon suggests putting out inviting hand towels and fragrant or
colorful soaps to help encourage hand washing and make the experience
more special. She also notes that new technologies for the bathroom,
such as touch-activated faucets, can cut down on the transfer of dirt
and mess from the hands to the faucet, helping to make the bathroom and
home a cleaner place.
Delta® faucets with Touch2O®
Technology for the bathroom, introduced this year, turn on with a
simple tap to the faucet handle or spout. Another tap or inactivity for
one minute will stop the flow of water. For an entirely hands-free
experience, Delta Faucet offers Touch2O.xt™
Technology, which activates on contact or when you move your hands
within the faucet sensing zone, which is anywhere within four inches of
the faucet.
"By integrating some special touches and making a couple of simple
updates, the bathroom can become a welcoming place that enhances the
design and feeling of the entire home. It can also help promote good
hygiene," adds Pericon.
While many Americans heed expert advice to wash hands frequently to
cut down on the spread of germs, these consumer study results showed
that nearly one in five Americans neglect to wash their hands after
using the bathroom, with women only slightly more likely to wash than
men. The study also found that:
- Respondents who were married wash their hands less compared to those who were single
- Other groups who wash their hands less frequently include those
among the highest income bracket ($75K +) and parents with young
children
- Despite all the education available today, Millennials wash their
hands the least, lathering up 10 percent less than Baby Boomers
In addition, the study revealed that, despite increasing emphasis on
water conservation, behind closed bathroom doors, the majority of people
(57 percent) consistently neglect to turn off the water while brushing
their teeth or shaving. And in spite of movements, such as the
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) WaterSense® program, designed
to help consumers identify high quality water-efficient fixtures, most
consumers responded they have not yet installed a water-saving faucet or
aerator in their home. In fact, most Americans have not even replaced
their bathroom faucet in more than 10 years.
Specifically, residents in the Midwest and South were reportedly
least concerned about reducing water consumption, with only 4 percent of
respondents in these regions noting that they currently had a
water-efficient faucet in their homes. Unfortunately, the National
Resources Defense Council's list of the largest U.S. cities that will
face water shortages in the coming years includes a number of cities in
those regions2.
Delta® bathroom faucets featuring Touch2O® and Touch2O.xt™ Technology are WaterSense labeled, which means they use 32 percent less water than the industry standard3 and perform as well or better than their less efficient counterparts.
For more information, visit www.deltafaucet.com.
About Masco Corporation
Masco Corporation is one of the world's largest manufacturers of
brand-name consumer products for the home and family, including Behr®
paint, BrassCraft® water supply products, Delta® and Hansgrohe® faucets,
bath and shower fixtures, KraftMaid®, Merillat® and Quality™ cabinets
and Milgard® windows and doors. Masco is also a leading provider of
services that include the installation of insulation and other building
products through Masco Contractor Services and Masco Home Services. For
more information on the Masco family of brands, visit www.masco.com.
About Delta Faucet
There is a philosophy at the heart of every Delta product: there is a
better way to live with water. It goes beyond excellent design to
incorporate smart thinking that anticipates people's needs. From Touch2O®
Technology that turns faucets on and off with just a touch, to a
DIAMOND™ valve that helps the faucet last up to 5 million uses, Delta
faucets incorporate thoughtful features that delight. Paired with
beautiful inspirational design, it's another way that Delta is more than
just a faucet. A worldwide leader in faucets and related accessories,
Delta Faucet sells products in more than 53 countries. For more
information visit www.deltafaucet.com or call toll-free at 800-345-DELTA (3358).
WATERSENSE is a registered trademark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
1 Delta Faucet worked with Synovate eNation to conduct
a national online omnibus survey of 1,000 nationally representative
American adults in June 2011.
2 The 10 major cities predicted to face water
shortages in the coming years are: Orlando; Atlanta; Tucson, Arizona;
Las Vegas; Fort Worth, Texas; San Francisco Bay Area; San Antonio,
Texas; Phoenix; Houston; and Los Angeles.
3 Based on flow rate for lavatories of 1.5 gpm versus Industry Standard ASME.A112.18.1/CSA.B125.1 of 2.2 gpm.
Contact
Karen Mendelsohn
Vice President - Sales & Marketing
313.792.6708
karen_mendelsohn@mascohq.com
Media Contact
Katie Feltz
MSL Chicago
312.861.5256
katie.feltz@mslgroup.com