Three in 10 Brits have never disinfected their TV remote despite the average family of four touching it more than 21,000 times a year.
Almost two-thirds of Brits who take their phone to the toilet don’t clean it and almost half of Brits admit to being unaware of how sharing household items from remotes to games console controllers can spread germs.
A new survey has revealed how UK families are spreading germs without even realising it.
The survey, produced by Dettol, also revealed that just under a quarter of gaming Brits have never disinfected their games console controllers.
When it comes to mobile phones, 25% admit to taking them to the toilet, as well as the dinner table (47%) and their bed/pillow (43%).
Nearly half (49%) of Brits confess to never thinking about how germs spread between people sharing household items, with almost seven in 10 (69%) saying they would be more inclined to disinfect items in their homes if they could physically see germs or bacteria.
To highlight how easily family members can spread germs, Dettol has joined forces with TV home expert and mum of four teenage boys, Sarah Beeny, to launch a limited-edition ‘GermWare’ range of items made from copper, which is naturally antibacterial.
The collection, including a TV remote control, games console controller and mobile phone case, is based on the everyday items commonly shared as part of normal family life.
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.
“It’s been fun trying out Dettol’s GermWare versions. Based on what is handed around on a regular basis in my house, 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.”
While the copper items are not available to buy, two-thirds (66%) of people think it would be a good idea to create copper items to help stop the spread of germs in their home – and, in fact, 38% would be likely to buy them, even if they cost more.
David Shillcock, Marketing Director at Dettol, said: “It’s clear from the survey findings that the people we love, love spreading germs – perhaps more than we realise.
“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 with Dettol, you can keep doing the things you love – spreading the love, not the germs.”
A third of Brits (33%) say they will now think differently about how germs spread and over two-fifths (43%) say they’re more likely to disinfect the items they share more often.
Find out more about Dettol’s ‘GermWare’ range at: https://youtu.be/MsIFLtfnXnc
