05/16/2019
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Hansgrohe Group
From Harsh Lighting to Foggy Mirrors – What Germans Find Most Annoying in Bathrooms
Hansgrohe survey: The ten most annoying moments in the bathroom
Schiltach, May 2019. The bathroom is the place to wake up in the morning or wind down after an exhausting day. It should be a welcoming, feel-good space — but there are a few things that put a damper on people’s good mood when using the bathroom. A representative population survey conducted by Hansgrohe, the globally active manufacturer of faucets, showers and shower systems, reveals what bothers Germans most when it comes to the bathroom environment.
For the Majority of Germans, Lack of Hygiene and Stuffy Air Are the Two Most Frustrating Factors
Be it hair in the washbasin, dingy towels or a dirty bathroom — the majority of people in Germany say that lack of hygiene in sanitary facilities is the thing that bothers them most. Dirt, limescale and mold are particularly off-putting to 89 percent of Germans. Another major source of annoyance is a lack of ventilation options. Whether they are in a hotel, at a friend’s house or at home — four out of five Germans (80 percent) don’t like fogged up mirrors and clouds of steam that make it difficult to see after a shower or a bath.
Aggravations Lurk in What Should Be a Relaxing Shower Experience
“Our goal is to always make sure the bathroom experience is in line with people’s needs and wishes. That’s why we have to find out what the sources of discontent are. Only in this way can we introduce innovations that create the very experiences that provide relaxation,” says Jan Heisterhagen, Vice President Product Management at Hansgrohe SE. This is precisely the kind of relaxation many people in Germany experience when taking a shower — or at least it should be. But, just turning on the water is already a source of aggravation for more than three-quarters of Germans — 78 percent are annoyed by low water pressure. And many Germans aren’t very patient when they are in a hurry and want an invigorating shower: 70 percent of the survey’s respondents are angered by having to wait for water to reach the desired temperature. Another problem, especially prevalent in hotel showers, infuriates about two-thirds of Germany’s men and women: 64 percent would like to decide for themselves whether they want to get their heads wet or not; they therefore dislike fixed showerheads that are mounted either too low or too high. Many encounter another annoyance when they step out of the shower: 72 percent of Germans find room temperatures that are either too cold or too warm very unpleasant.
Bathroom Sharing and Fixtures Rarely Pose a Problem
Of those surveyed, less than half reported being dissatisfied with the bathroom’s furnishings and fixtures. Forty-three percent feel frustrated when the bathroom’s lighting doesn’t match their mood or when they are greeted by harsh lighting early in the morning. Another 43 percent need peace and quiet to relax and are annoyed when their time in the bathroom is disturbed by unpleasant noises. On the other hand, 70 percent of Germans find the lack of shelf space for towels, soap and other things very annoying. But when it comes to sharing the bathroom with their partners or family members, only 20 percent mind using the bathroom with their loved ones at the same time.
The Ten Biggest Annoyances in the Bathroom
What bothers you most when you use a bathroom (at home, at a friend’s house or in hotels)? Annoys me greatly / annoys me…
Ranking Percent Annoyance
1st place 89.4% Dirt, limescale, mold
2nd place 79.5% Lack of ventilation (no windows or vents)
3rd place 78 % Low water pressure
4th place 72.3% Uncomfortable room temperature (too cold / too warm)
5th place 70.7% Not enough shelf space
6th place 69.5% Waiting for the right water temperature in the shower
7th place 66.4% Dripping faucets
8th place 63% Showerheads that are either too low or too high
9th place 55.7% Squeegeeing the shower walls after taking a shower
10th place 53.2% A shower spray that is either too strong or too gentle
About the survey
This survey was conducted by the Hansgrohe Group together with INNOFACT AG, a marketing research institution. A total of 1.005 people between the ages of 18 and 69 were surveyed. The distribution of age and gender of respondents in this sample is representative of the German population. The independent online survey was conducted in February 2019.
About the Hansgrohe Group – the Original from the Black Forest
With its brands AXOR and hansgrohe, the Hansgrohe Group, based in Schiltach/Southern Germany, enjoys a reputation as a leader in innovation, design and quality within the bath and kitchen industry. The Hansgrohe Group brings form and function to water with taps, showerheads and shower systems. The 118-year history of the company is marked by innovations such as the first hand-held shower with multiple spray types, the first pull-out kitchen tap, and the first wall bar to hold a hand-held shower. The company holds more than 15,000 active property rights. The Hansgrohe Group stands for long-lasting quality products. With 33 subsidiaries and 22 sales offices supplying products in more than 140 countries, the company is a reliable partner to its customers around the world. The Hansgrohe Group, its brands and products have won numerous awards, including more than 600 design prizes since 1974. Sustainable production of resource-conserving products is central to the company’s business activities around the globe. The products of the Hansgrohe Group are featured in projects around the world, such as the luxurious ocean liner Queen Mary 2, and the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The Group’s high quality standards are ensured by five wholly-owned production facilities: two in Germany, one each in France, the United States and China. In 2018, the Hansgrohe Group generated a turnover of EUR 1.081 billion. It employs more than 4,700 people worldwide, about 60 percent of whom work in Germany.
For the Majority of Germans, Lack of Hygiene and Stuffy Air Are the Two Most Frustrating Factors
Be it hair in the washbasin, dingy towels or a dirty bathroom — the majority of people in Germany say that lack of hygiene in sanitary facilities is the thing that bothers them most. Dirt, limescale and mold are particularly off-putting to 89 percent of Germans. Another major source of annoyance is a lack of ventilation options. Whether they are in a hotel, at a friend’s house or at home — four out of five Germans (80 percent) don’t like fogged up mirrors and clouds of steam that make it difficult to see after a shower or a bath.
Aggravations Lurk in What Should Be a Relaxing Shower Experience
“Our goal is to always make sure the bathroom experience is in line with people’s needs and wishes. That’s why we have to find out what the sources of discontent are. Only in this way can we introduce innovations that create the very experiences that provide relaxation,” says Jan Heisterhagen, Vice President Product Management at Hansgrohe SE. This is precisely the kind of relaxation many people in Germany experience when taking a shower — or at least it should be. But, just turning on the water is already a source of aggravation for more than three-quarters of Germans — 78 percent are annoyed by low water pressure. And many Germans aren’t very patient when they are in a hurry and want an invigorating shower: 70 percent of the survey’s respondents are angered by having to wait for water to reach the desired temperature. Another problem, especially prevalent in hotel showers, infuriates about two-thirds of Germany’s men and women: 64 percent would like to decide for themselves whether they want to get their heads wet or not; they therefore dislike fixed showerheads that are mounted either too low or too high. Many encounter another annoyance when they step out of the shower: 72 percent of Germans find room temperatures that are either too cold or too warm very unpleasant.
Bathroom Sharing and Fixtures Rarely Pose a Problem
Of those surveyed, less than half reported being dissatisfied with the bathroom’s furnishings and fixtures. Forty-three percent feel frustrated when the bathroom’s lighting doesn’t match their mood or when they are greeted by harsh lighting early in the morning. Another 43 percent need peace and quiet to relax and are annoyed when their time in the bathroom is disturbed by unpleasant noises. On the other hand, 70 percent of Germans find the lack of shelf space for towels, soap and other things very annoying. But when it comes to sharing the bathroom with their partners or family members, only 20 percent mind using the bathroom with their loved ones at the same time.
The Ten Biggest Annoyances in the Bathroom
What bothers you most when you use a bathroom (at home, at a friend’s house or in hotels)? Annoys me greatly / annoys me…
Ranking Percent Annoyance
1st place 89.4% Dirt, limescale, mold
2nd place 79.5% Lack of ventilation (no windows or vents)
3rd place 78 % Low water pressure
4th place 72.3% Uncomfortable room temperature (too cold / too warm)
5th place 70.7% Not enough shelf space
6th place 69.5% Waiting for the right water temperature in the shower
7th place 66.4% Dripping faucets
8th place 63% Showerheads that are either too low or too high
9th place 55.7% Squeegeeing the shower walls after taking a shower
10th place 53.2% A shower spray that is either too strong or too gentle
About the survey
This survey was conducted by the Hansgrohe Group together with INNOFACT AG, a marketing research institution. A total of 1.005 people between the ages of 18 and 69 were surveyed. The distribution of age and gender of respondents in this sample is representative of the German population. The independent online survey was conducted in February 2019.
About the Hansgrohe Group – the Original from the Black Forest
With its brands AXOR and hansgrohe, the Hansgrohe Group, based in Schiltach/Southern Germany, enjoys a reputation as a leader in innovation, design and quality within the bath and kitchen industry. The Hansgrohe Group brings form and function to water with taps, showerheads and shower systems. The 118-year history of the company is marked by innovations such as the first hand-held shower with multiple spray types, the first pull-out kitchen tap, and the first wall bar to hold a hand-held shower. The company holds more than 15,000 active property rights. The Hansgrohe Group stands for long-lasting quality products. With 33 subsidiaries and 22 sales offices supplying products in more than 140 countries, the company is a reliable partner to its customers around the world. The Hansgrohe Group, its brands and products have won numerous awards, including more than 600 design prizes since 1974. Sustainable production of resource-conserving products is central to the company’s business activities around the globe. The products of the Hansgrohe Group are featured in projects around the world, such as the luxurious ocean liner Queen Mary 2, and the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The Group’s high quality standards are ensured by five wholly-owned production facilities: two in Germany, one each in France, the United States and China. In 2018, the Hansgrohe Group generated a turnover of EUR 1.081 billion. It employs more than 4,700 people worldwide, about 60 percent of whom work in Germany.
Contact
Astrid Bachmann
Deputy Lead Corporate Communications, Global PR AXOR