Ever wondered how safe it is to leave your toilet lid open? New research from Harpic, the world’s leading toilet cleaning brand, has the answer. It has revealed that 58% of Brits are unaware of all the risk of not closing the toilet lid when flushing. A single flush produces thousands of aerosol droplets, which can contain bacteria and viruses – contaminating surfaces to as far as six feet away!
Despite the fact that 72% of respondents said they are now more hygiene aware than ever before, more than half (55%) do not currently close the lid when flushing the toilet. When asked why they do not close the lid when flushing the toilet, the top reasons from respondents include being unaware of the risks of not flushing (47%), feeling afraid to touch the lid (24%) and general forgetfulness (15%). Almost all respondents (95%) admitted they will start to close the lid after being made aware of the risks.
To highlight the risk of germ spread in a post COVID-19 world, Harpic has released a series of powerful toilet portraits showing how unseen germs can leave the toilet when flushed. Using high speed specialist camera technology, the images capture droplets and aerosol particles as they leave the toilet, demonstrating how germs can spread in the bathroom.
According to scientific data shared by Harpic, a toilet bowl water will remain contaminated for several flushes after becoming exposed to harmful pathogens. Research also highlights that the size of some of the particles (containing harmful pathogens) produced by a flushing toilet are capable of reaching the lower respiratory tract, which can lead to infection. If a person touches a surface contaminated by the toilet bowl flush, they can then become infected when they touch the nose or mouth.
To help keep households safe and happy, Harpic is calling on the nation to carry out a simple three stage routine when cleaning the bathroom:
- #CloseTheLid when flushing to help prevent the spread of germs
- Ensure that you are using a toilet cleaner that removes limescale, which provides a home to germs, as well as disinfecting to maintain ultimate hygiene [v]
- Wear gloves while cleaning for extra protection, and wash hands after use
The research commissioned by Harpic revealed Brits are already taking important steps in ramping up their cleaning efforts. Cleaning the toilet bowl (49%), deep cleaning the bathroom more frequently (45%) and mopping the floor (44%) are the top things the nation has started doing more of over the last six months.
Harpic recommends the use of Power Plus for limescale removal with a liquid and tablet combo. For more information, head to https://www.harpic.co.uk/.