# Hygiene habits were the main reason people washed their hands during the pandemic

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/culture/hygiene-habits-were-the-main-reason-people-washed-their-hands-during-the-pandemic/

> Indexed question in Culture.

## Reading

Most Americans (73%) point to personal hygiene habits as a reason they washed their hands during the pandemic, more than cite any other motivation, according to an August 2025 Verasight survey.

Nearly six-in-ten (59%) name a fear of COVID-19 infection and 47% public health advice, while fewer cite workplace or school policies (24%) or social expectations (23%). One-in-ten (10%) say no specific reason drove them.

## Topline

What were your primary motivations for hand-washing during the pandemic?

Hygiene habits were the main reason people washed their hands during the pandemic.

Respondents could select more than one option, so shares may sum to more than 100%.

- Personal hygiene habits: 73.5%
- Fear of COVID-19 infection: 58.8%
- Public health advice: 47.1%
- Workplace or school policies: 24.4%
- Social expectations: 22.9%
- I wasn’t motivated by any specific reasons to hand-wash during the pandemic: 9.9%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: United States adults
- Field dates: 2025-08-13 → 2025-08-18
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.1%
- Module: Verasight JSM Omnibus Survey
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/jsm-2025#motivations-for-hand-washing](https://reports.verasight.io/r/jsm-2025#motivations-for-hand-washing)

## Citation

Verasight JSM Omnibus Survey, fielded August 13-18, 2025, N=1,000 United States adults, +/- 3.1%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/jsm-2025#motivations-for-hand-washing](https://reports.verasight.io/r/jsm-2025#motivations-for-hand-washing)