More than half of smartphone users leave devices dirty after using the toilet
More than half of smartphone users don't clean their essential device after heading into the toilet with it, a new study has revealed.
A poll of 2,000 adults found that 60 per cent of them admit to sitting on the loo with their phone without cleaning it afterwards.
Despite washing their hands, people don't give their phone a wipe down and end up placing it on surfaces that can spread germs easily. 57 per cent put their phone down on the kitchen counter after going to the toilet, with 47 per cent opting for the dining table and 43 per cent choosing their bed.
This study also revealed that three in 10 adults never disinfect their television remotes, despite it being picked up 5,475 times a year per person.
49 per cent of the respondents admitted they have never thought about how germs are able to spread between people sharing household items.
There are many items in the home that are rarely cleaned that include your phone and TV remote, while others include the kettle, light switches and ketchup bottles.
The research was commissioned by Dettol as they have teamed up with TV home expert and mum of four Sarah Beeny, to launch GermWare - a collection 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 per cent would want 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 per cent) have used, and shared, the same hand towel at home for multiple uses, while 27 per cent happily let pets clamber on furniture and bedding without disinfecting them, according to the OnePoll figures.
13 per cent of respondents even admitted to preparing food without washing their hands beforehand. After the participants were germ-related facts, 33 per cent of them said that they will think differently about how germs spread - while 43 per cent are now more likely to disinfect the items they share more often.
While 13 per cent even admitted to preparing food without washing their hands in preparation.
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."
The 17 germ-spreading acts that Brits have admitted to
Regularly touched shared household items like TV remotes without disinfecting them regularly
Not disinfected electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, and keyboards regularly
Got home and used my TV remote without washing my hands first
Seen family members/housemates come in from outside the home without washing their hands
Used and shared the same hand towel for multiple uses
Not washed hands after I come in from outside the home
Not disinfected frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and light switches
Not washed hands after coming home after travelling on public transport
Shared towels with multiple family members
Allowed pets to roam freely on furniture and bedding without disinfecting these surfaces
Used the same dishcloth or sponge for an extended period without washing or replacing it
Used a games console controller for an extended period without sanitising it
Not regularly cleaned or disinfected bathroom fixtures, including taps, toilet handles, and shower heads
Shared toys between multiple children
Taken my mobile phone to the toilet then put it on the dinner table
Not washed my hands before preparing food
Taken toys to a shared space like soft play and not disinfected them afterwards
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our newsletter here.