Dirty habits: a quarter of brits don't wash their hands after using the toilet

• A quarter (26 per cent) of Brits skip handwashing after using the toilet, with men the worst culprits (31 per cent) compared to women (20 per cent) 

• Hygiene standards are also lax when it comes to washing hands after other activities, with two thirds (65 per cent) failing to do so after using public transport, seven in ten (71 per cent) after blowing their nose or coughing, and nearly half (43 per cent) after taking their bins out

• The research highlights the need for more careful handwashing to prevent the spread of illness, with NHS hospitalisations caused by flu and norovirus soaring this winter

Over a quarter (26 per cent)1 of Brits don’t always wash their hands after using the toilet, according to research by Churchill Home Insurance. Around a third of men (31 per cent) confess to skipping handwashing after using the toilet, compared to one in five women (20 per cent).  

Hygiene standards are lacking across the board, with two thirds (65 per cent) of people failing to wash their hands every time they use public transport and one in 10 people (nine per cent) completely forgoing this. Seven in 10 (71 per cent) people also don’t wash their hands every time after blowing their nose or coughing, and nearly half (43 per cent) don’t do it after taking their bins out.

Women are consistently more hygienic than men according to the research. While 42 per cent f women wash their hands every time after using public transport, only 27 per cent of men do the same. When it comes to blowing their noses, a fifth (19 per cent) of people say they rarely or never wash their hands afterwards, 23 per cent of men and 14 per cent of women.

With the NHS reporting record levels of flu² and increased hospitalisations over winter due to norovirus³, otherwise known as the “winter vomiting bug”, Churchill's research highlights the importance of keeping sound hygiene habits throughout winter. The NHS recognises⁴ that regularly and thoroughly washing hands removes dirt, viruses and bacteria to stop them from spreading to other people and objects, and in turn can reduce the spread of illnesses such as the flu, norovirus and food poisoning.

Despite this, half of Brits (49 per cent) say they don’t change their handwashing habits in winter to avoid becoming ill⁵. Just a third (35 per cent) of people say they try to wash their hands more regularly, whilst only a fifth wash their hands more thoroughly (22 per cent) and also use hand sanitiser when out and about (20 per cent).

Regional differences are also stark, with residents in the South West found to be the best handwashers after using the loo. Nearly nine in ten residents in the South West (87 per cent) reported washing their hands every time they use the bathroom, compared to less than two-thirds (65 per cent) of people in London.

UK regions: Percentage of people that wash their hands every time after using the toilet

Source: Churchill Home Insurance

This comes following previous research by Churchill⁶ which found the unexpectedly bacteria-ridden areas of the home. On average, kitchen surfaces, bed sheets and TV remotes were all found to harbour more bacteria than loo seats. TV remotes were found to host 15 times more Enterobacter bacteria - found in faeces with the potential to cause pneumonia and bloodstream infections - than the average toilet.

Sarah Khan, Head of Churchill Home Insurance, said: “Illness is rife in the winter months and cases of flu and norovirus rising sharply in hospitals across the country. Our findings highlight the need for people to take better care of their personal hygiene, with handwashing playing a vital role in preventing the spread of seasonal colds and flu as well as other illnesses and infections. Simple habits like washing hands properly with soap and water, cleaning surfaces in the home and regularly washing bed sheets can help reduce our risk of becoming unwell.”

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Notes to Editors 

1. Research conducted by Opinium with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults, 16-20th August 2024.

1. Hospitals managing record flu levels going into Winter

1. Hospital patients with flu quadrupled to over 5,000 ahead of New Year 

1. Research conducted by Opinium with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults, 3rd-7th January.

1. How to wash your hands - NHS

1. Churchill worked with expert microbiologists BioLabTests to provide 20 swab kits across a range of ages, locations and house types. Volunteers swabbed their homes for common bacteria found in the home across 6 different areas – their toilet seats, kitchen surfaces, bed sheets, kitchen light switch, TV remote and laptop/computer keyboard. The lab then cultivated the swabs within 48 hours of taking them from volunteers and monitored bacterial growth under lab conditions over 28 days, before returning the results in an index. Bacteria measured included Streptococcus, Enterobacter and Yeast and Mould.

For further information please contact:   

Unni Henry

Churchill PR Manager  

Email: unni.henry@directlinegroup.co.uk  

Churchill   

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.   

Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.    

Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.     

Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200 300 or visiting www.churchill.com.