Many women are reluctant to touch restroom door handles when they exit. They fear subjecting freshly washed hands to germs deposited by those who bypassed the sink. According to an August 2007 study by the Soap and Detergent Association and the American Society for Microbiology, 12% of females (and 34 % of males) don't lather up. Rather than avoid public restrooms altogether, many germophobes use the following preventative measure: they grasp the door handle with a paper towel—even a fresh wad of toilet paper—then toss it on the floor. It's not a pretty sight for the next guest.

Some restroom hosts combat the mess by putting a trash receptacle at the doorway. Others, recognizing that hygiene is a huge concern for many, are installing new products. Conor Dougherty of The Wall Street Journal, reports how some entrepreneurs, and even one politician, are handling this issue:

• The SANITGRASP is an L-shaped vertical pull handle that enables people to open a door with their forearm, wrist, or closed fist. Minimalist in design and aesthetically pleasing, the SANITGRASP is offered in a brushed or polished stainless steel finish. Your company logo or the operating instructions can be engraved on the base plate. For more information, go to www.sanitgrasp.com
• SANIDOOR, an automatic door opener, opens doors with the wave of a hand. This device can retrofit most any swinging door to abracadabra convenience. Cost $1000. Go go www.sanidoor.com to see a video of this invention in action.
• The FOOTPULL is a hardware product that gets mounted to the base of a restroom door on the same side as the door handle. When ready to exit, you insert your foot into the underside of the FOOTPULL and pull back to open the door. Successfully tested on subjects ranging from age 8 to 85, this item is made from aluminum and offered in two finishes. Cost: $50-75 at www.footpull.com
• Massachusetts state Representative James Vallee introduced a bill that would require all public bathroom doors to open outward. That way, people could use a shoulder or their back side to push the door open.

Any of these innovations will contribute to a better restroom experience for your customers. Remember: A good bathroom is good for business!