A poll of 2,000 adults found 60% admit to heading into the loo with their phone – but many don’t give it a clean afterwards in the same way they do with their hands
Research has revealed that half of smartphone users don’t always clean their device after taking it to the toilet with them. A poll of 2,000 adults found that 60% admit to using their phone in the loo, but many fail to clean it afterwards as they would their hands.
Despite this, 57% then place their device on the kitchen counter, 47% put it on the dining table, and 43% leave the phone in their bed – potentially spreading germs.
The study also discovered that three in 10 never disinfect their TV remotes, even though each one is touched 5,475 times a year per person. However, 49% per cent confessed they have never considered how germs can spread between people sharing household items.
Items that are rarely or never cleaned extend beyond electronic devices and include salt and pepper shakers, kettles, condiments, and light switches.
The research was commissioned by Dettol, which has partnered with TV home expert and mother of four Sarah Beeny, to launch ‘GermWare’ – a range of antibacterial items made from copper, including a TV remote control, games console controller and mobile phone case.
Sarah Beeny said: “With a large family of teenage boys at home, our TV remote gets quite the workout – and I really wasn’t aware of how easily germs can be spread by the ones you love.”
“Based on my family’s track record of spreading germs, I’d need everything in my home to be covered in copper. Obviously, this can’t happen, and I very much doubt we’ll be giving up watching TV.”
“That’s why I’ve teamed up with Dettol to show that while we may be spreading germs without even realising it, we don’t need to change what we love doing.”
The study also found 69% would be more inclined to disinfect items in their homes if they could physically see germs or bacteria on the items people are sharing.
More than a third (36%) have used, and shared, the same hand towel at home for multiple uses, while 27% happily let pets clamber on furniture and bedding without disinfecting them, according to the OnePoll figures. While 13% even admitted to preparing food without washing their hands in preparation.
However, after being presented with germ-related facts, 33% of participants in the survey will think differently about how germs spread and 43% are more likely to disinfect the items they share more often.
David Shillcock, from Dettol, said: “It’s clear from the survey findings that the people we love, love spreading germs – perhaps more than we realise. The results show that germs don’t spread by themselves, people spread them, so when it comes to sharing lives together, our homes can be germier than we think.”
“We know those germ-spreading behaviours are just a part of the everyday life that we share with the people we love, and we want to celebrate that.” We made the copper ‘GermWare’ range to highlight some of the behaviours that can cause germs to spread. Of course, not everything can be made out of copper, but you can keep doing the things you love – spreading the love, not the germs.”
17 GERM-SPREADING ACTS BRITS ADMIT TO.
1. Regularly touched shared household items like TV remotes without disinfecting them regularly.
2. Not disinfected electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, and keyboards regularly.
3. Got home and used my TV remote without washing my hands first.
4. Seen family members/housemates come in from outside the home without washing their hands.
5. Used and shared the same hand towel for multiple uses.
6. Not washed hands after I come in from outside the home.
7. Not disinfected frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and light switches.
8. Not washed hands after coming home after travelling on public transport.
9. Shared towels with multiple family members.
10. Allowed pets to roam freely on furniture and bedding without disinfecting these surfaces.
11. Used the same dishcloth or sponge for an extended period without washing or replacing it.
12. Used a games console controller for an extended period without sanitising it.
13. Not regularly cleaned or disinfected bathroom fixtures, including taps, toilet handles, and shower heads.
14. Shared toys between multiple children.
15. Taken my mobile phone to the toilet then put it on the dinner table.
16. Not washed my hands before preparing food.
17. Taken toys to a shared space like soft play and not disinfected them afterwards.
