Cleaner Appreciation Gap Grows

New data from Tork, an Essity brand, reveals a significant appreciation gap: while the majority (56 percent) of restroom users agree that cleaning is hard work and that cleaning teams deserve more recognition for their efforts, 21 percent admit they mean to thank cleaners when they see them but rarely do.

At the same time, research on cleaning staff highlights significant workforce strain: 38 percent of cleaners surveyed have left their jobs due to lack of recognition and burnout—factors that are unrelated to pay and which contribute to recruitment and retention challenges across the cleaning industry. Additionally, 70 percent of cleaners report inadequate employer support, and 80 percent have experienced mental health challenges as a result of their work.

“The gap between good intentions and actual appreciation, combined with widespread cleaner burnout, represents an urgent business challenge,” says Amy Bellcourt, Vice President of Communications at Essity. “When cleaning staff feel unsupported and invisible, it directly impacts facility cleanliness, the restroom user experience, and ultimately, business reputation and revenue."

The stakes for facilities are substantial. Of restroom users surveyed, four in five say hygiene issues in the restroom make them feel worse about an entire business. In fact, many actively avoid a venue or business due to issues with hygiene or privacy. Poor restroom experiences may lead customers to take action: leaving negative reviews, avoiding purchases, or, in the case of employees, spending less time at the workplace and working from home more often.

As a limited-time thank you, Tork is offering free training to cleaning professionals. The 30-minute, self-paced course equips cleaning professionals with practical skills, knowledge, and confidence to deliver hygiene services that go beyond appearance, helping create environments that are clean, safe, accessible, and welcoming for everyone. By investing in professional development and training, facility cleaning managers can help cleaners build new skills while strengthening their connection to the purpose and value of their work—driving engagement, improving retention, and supporting more consistent, high-quality hygiene outcomes.
 
"Tork has long championed cleaning professionals through research and solutions designed to improve hygiene outcomes," Bellcourt adds. "We're equipping frontline teams with the tools and knowledge to succeed, removing barriers they face every day, and ultimately improving both their experience and the experience of facility users. That's inclusive hygiene in action."