After COVID-19: How Fast We Forgot to Wash Our Hands (And Why It Still Matters)

During COVID-19, handwashing became part of everyday life. People washed before meals, after touching public surfaces, and whenever they returned home. Businesses added sanitizer stations, posted reminders, and paid closer attention to shared surfaces.

As the immediate threat faded, many of those habits faded with it.

That does not mean people completely forgot how to wash their hands. It means hand hygiene became easier to overlook when daily life felt normal again. A 2025 survey from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases found that 48% of adults admitted forgetting or choosing not to wash their hands at important times.

For small businesses, this matters. Employees, clients, and visitors still touch the same door handles, faucets, keyboards, phones, break-room appliances, and shared equipment every day. A consistent hand hygiene routine, supported by regular office cleaning, helps keep your workplace hygienic without creating unnecessary expense.

Handwashing increased quickly during COVID-19

The pandemic changed handwashing behavior almost overnight.

In a CDC analysis, adults were surveyed before the pandemic and again in June 2020. The research found significant increases in the number of people who remembered to wash their hands in several common situations.

Compared with October 2019:

• Adults were 2.3 times more likely to remember washing after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose.
• Adults were twice as likely to remember washing before eating at a restaurant.
• Adults were 1.7 times more likely to remember washing before eating at home.

These changes were driven by clear public health messaging and a heightened awareness of how germs spread. Hand sanitizer became common in offices, stores, restaurants, and public buildings. Soap and paper towels received more attention. People became more aware of the surfaces they touched.

The behavior was not perfect, but the improvement was substantial.

How quickly did people stop washing as often?

There is no single national study that shows the exact week or month when handwashing declined after the acute phase of COVID-19. The available evidence suggests a gradual relaxation rather than one sudden drop.

As fear decreased, people returned to familiar routines. They stopped carrying sanitizer everywhere. They paid less attention to touching elevator buttons or shared pens. Handwashing remained important, but it was no longer at the front of everyone’s mind.

The 2025 NFID report shows that this change is still visible. Nearly half of surveyed adults said they had forgotten or chosen not to wash their hands at key times, such as after visiting a grocery store, restaurant, or health care setting.

At the same time, the report also shows that habits did not disappear entirely. Some adults reported washing their hands more now than they did during the pandemic. This is an important distinction: people did not universally “forget” handwashing. Instead, behavior became inconsistent.

That inconsistency is the real concern for workplaces.

Why hand hygiene still matters in a small office

A small office may have fewer employees than a large facility, but shared surfaces still receive frequent contact.

Think about a normal workday. Employees may touch:

• Front-door handles
• Break-room refrigerator and microwave handles
• Bathroom faucets and dispensers
• Shared keyboards and telephones
• Conference-room tables
• Elevator buttons
• Copy machines and printers
• Coffee equipment
• Light switches

When someone touches a surface with unwashed hands, microorganisms can transfer to that surface. The next person may touch it and then touch their face, food, phone, or personal items.

Handwashing does not eliminate every illness. However, it remains one of the simplest and most affordable ways to reduce the spread of many germs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds.

That small action can support a healthier workplace and fewer interruptions caused by preventable illness.

Hand sanitizer helps, but it is not a complete replacement

Hand sanitizer is useful when soap and water are not available. It can be especially helpful near entrances, reception desks, meeting rooms, and shared equipment.

For the best results, the CDC recommends using a sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Employees should apply enough product to cover all hand surfaces and rub their hands together until dry.

Still, sanitizer does not replace proper handwashing in every situation. Soap and water are especially important when hands are visibly dirty or greasy, after using the restroom, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing the nose.

Businesses should make both options easy to access. A stocked restroom, a working sink, full soap dispensers, paper towels, and strategically placed sanitizer stations remove common excuses and make good habits easier to maintain.

Cleaning shared surfaces supports better hygiene

Handwashing is a personal responsibility. Workplace cleaning is a business responsibility.

A clean office gives employees practical support. When restrooms are maintained, soap is available, wastebaskets are emptied, and frequently touched surfaces are cleaned, people are more likely to take hygiene seriously.

Regular cleaning should include high-touch areas such as:

• Door handles and push plates
• Light switches
• Faucet handles
• Toilet flush handles
• Break-room appliances
• Shared tables and counters
• Reception surfaces
• Phones and other shared equipment

Cleaning and disinfecting are not exactly the same. Cleaning removes dirt and some germs from a surface. Disinfecting uses an appropriate product to kill many remaining germs. The right approach depends on the surface, the level of use, and the needs of the workplace.

A reliable cleaning schedule prevents these details from being forgotten. It also helps small businesses avoid the cost of reacting to every problem after it appears.

Simple ways to rebuild handwashing habits

Small reminders can make a noticeable difference. You do not need an expensive wellness program or complicated policy.

Keep soap and paper towels stocked

An empty dispenser sends the wrong message and makes handwashing inconvenient. Check supplies regularly, especially in restrooms and break rooms.

Place sanitizer where people naturally pass

Entrances, reception areas, conference rooms, and shared workspaces are practical locations. Employees are more likely to use sanitizer when it is visible and nearby.

Use short, positive reminders

A simple sign near a sink can remind people to wash for 20 seconds. Keep the message clear and professional. Avoid creating fear or embarrassment.

Clean high-touch surfaces on a consistent schedule

Do not wait until a handle looks dirty. High-touch areas need routine attention because they may be used hundreds of times throughout the day.

Set the example from management

Employees notice what business owners and managers do. When leaders wash their hands, use sanitizer, and support a clean workplace, hygiene becomes part of the office culture.

Ask employees to stay home when sick

Handwashing helps, but it cannot replace responsible sick-day practices. Employees with contagious symptoms should follow company policies and avoid exposing coworkers whenever possible.

A clean office does not need to be expensive

Large janitorial companies may offer broad packages that are more than a small office needs. Some may also charge higher rates or provide inconsistent service for smaller accounts.

Diamond Cleaning Services offers a focused, affordable alternative for small offices and businesses in Milwaukee. Our office cleaning services are built around consistent weekly cleaning, hygienic shared spaces, and dependable support.

We understand the daily challenges small business owners face. You need a clean workplace, but you also need predictable pricing and a cleaning company that shows up as promised. Our owner-operated team provides personalized care without the overhead and complexity of a large national provider.

Learn more about our story and commitment to reliable service, or contact Diamond Cleaning Services to discuss a cleaning plan that fits your workplace.

Hand hygiene is a habit worth keeping

COVID-19 made people more aware of handwashing. As normal routines returned, many people relaxed those habits. The evidence does not show that everyone abandoned hand hygiene, but it does show that forgetting and skipping remain common.

The solution is practical: make handwashing easy, keep supplies available, reinforce good habits, and maintain the surfaces people touch most.

With a dependable cleaning routine and a little daily awareness, your office can remain pristine, hygienic, and welcoming. Diamond Cleaning Services helps small businesses maintain that standard with consistent service, reasonable pricing, and personalized care: so you can focus on running your business with greater peace of mind.