Multitasking in the Bath

American Standard polled consumers across the country to determine how they are using their time in the bathroom in order to determine what kinds of products and amenities they might need now and in the future. The survey shows that people are doing a lot of things inside their bathrooms besides the obvious. A full 88% use at least one electronic device in the bathroom. More than a third read their mail - both snail mail and e-mail, 43% get dressed; 20%t sing; 19% listen to music via radio or iPod; 1% talk on the phone, and 3% watch TV.

Escape time: a precious commodity

According to the survey, the average amount of time people spend in the bath every day is about 30 minutes, but one in four spends more than an hour. Women are significantly more likely to be spending well over an hour in the bathroom (37 percent for women versus 15 percent for men). Women also are more likely to take significantly longer than men in the shower, with more than half taking 10 or more minutes. Having children only increases their desire to escape to the shower, with 58% of people with children taking longer showers than those who don't.

"The percentage of consumers who have reduced the amount of time they spend in the shower over the past four years is minimal based on data we collected from the 2004 Bathroom Habits Survey. With conservation being even more top of mind with consumers today, it's surprising that they still spend approximately the same amount of time in the shower," says Long.

Yet water is precious, too

Ninety-one percent of consumers say they are trying to conserve water, and the most common way they are doing this is by not running the water while they are brushing their teeth (71%). Almost half are limiting the time spent in the shower and nearly a third are flushing the toilet less frequently or taking fewer baths and showers. Most consumers were surprised to learn they could be saving as much as 4,000 gallons of water per year if they used a water-conserving toilet, with 94% saying they would be prepared to use such a water-conserving toilet.

To help consumers learn more about water conservation and how many dollars they can save by converting to various water-efficient fixtures and faucets, American Standard offers a new Water Savings Calculator and Rebate Locator, found at. The Rebate Locator lists current water conservation rebates available throughout the United States, and will be updated regularly as new local and regional incentives become available. "It is the most comprehensive tally of water-saving incentives available in the industry," says Long.

Other findings

Multitasking varies by region: American Standard's 2008 Bathroom Habits Survey looked closely at the bathroom habits of people living in Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Minneapolis and Seattle. In Atlanta, people are more likely to be listening to the radio; in Boston they are reading magazines and their mail; in Miami they are more likely to be talking on their phones than any other part of the country (22% in Miami claim to do this compared to a national average of 16%).

People in Atlanta top the nation in taking their sweet time in the bath, with 62% staying 30 minutes or more, and 28% spending more than an hour. Seattle comes in second, with 60% taking more than 30 minutes. Go-go Miami is even faster, with 53% spending fewer than 30 minutes and 22% most likely using the phone, while efficient Minneapolis has 49% who claim to use the bathroom less than a half hour each day.

Almost 50% more people fold their toilet paper rather than crumple it. Minnesotans crumple toilet paper more than any other part of the country; Miami is more likely to fold. And speaking of toilet paper, let's settle it once and for all: three-quarters of consumers nationwide are adamant that the toilet paper must come out over the top of the holder, versus below it.

Toilet troubles, trials and tribulations: Top toilet frustrations for consumers include fixtures that don't flush all the way (19%), appearance (18%), running water or needing to jiggle the handle (18%); and not conserving water (17%). Not surprisingly, almost half (46%) said the most important feature when purchasing a toilet was reliability.

The Cleanliness Quotient: Americans like to feel clean. Nearly half (47%) clean their bathroom weekly, and 88% change the cloth hand towels at least once a week or more, especially if they have children. Boston is the cleanest city in the nation, with 78% claiming to shower every day.

Concerns for water conservation: When shopping for toilets, Miami and Atlanta consider water conservation significantly higher in importance than in other parts of the country.