Worst things about using public toilets - like overwhelming smells, survey finds

05 February 2024 , 16:19

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The worst things about having to use a public restroom include pungent smells (60%), unflushed toilets (71%) – and blockages (59%), Brits have revealed. Other unpleasant parts of the experience include unexplained stains on the walls, and cubicle doors that don't lock.

And more than six in 10 adults (61%) claim they don't trust the hygiene of others – with over half (54%) dreading the thought of needing to use the facilities away from home.

As such, 80%, of the 2,000 people polled, say they would only use a public toilet if it was completely unavoidable. And in order to make the visit more bearable, nearly half (46%) would wipe down the seat before use, while 52% of women would simply “hover”, rather than sitting.

Others will try to avoid contact with surfaces, by wrapping their hands in loo roll – or even hold onto their bags while doing their business, to avoid placing their belongings on the floor.

The study was commissioned by toilet cleaning brand, Bloo, and also found that Londoners (58%), and those in the North East (61%) are least content with using a restroom open to the public – believing the standard of cleanliness to be under par.

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On the other hand, those in Scotland are happiest with their options, with 44% considering their local facilities clean.

Over half of Brits dread having to go to the toilet in public when away from home (SWNS)

To put the stats to the test, Bloo has teamed up with TikTok stars, Cal and Therese Ryan, to rate the UK’s best and worst public toilets, covering areas such as Milton Keynes, London, and Birmingham.

Callum Ryan said: “People really hate public toilets, and I think they are especially bad in the UK compared to other countries.

“But we wanted to find out where the absolute best and worst loos were in the UK. Our mission didn’t disappoint, with some absolutely foul toilets – but also some hidden gems.”

The research found 21% believe toilets in their local area are cleaned a maximum of just once a week. And some of the top ways the facilities could be improved include having more of a regular cleaning schedule, touch-free technology, and nice smells from the addition of products such as rim blocks.

But it seems that over a third (34%) are adding to the problem – admitting they would be more inclined to leave a toilet dirty, if they were to find it unclean in the first place.

However, 46% clean their own bathroom multiple times a week, with each scrub taking 15 minutes on average. And 84% make sure it’s at its cleanest when guests are around, according to the figures, by OnePoll.

Halil Dogan, a spokesman for Bloo's new product, Spa Moment Rim Blocks, which offers a blend of essential oils to help combat toilet dread, said: “With our research showing so many clean their own bathroom multiple times a week, it is no wonder adults are avoiding public loos altogether, due to issues such as bad smells and poor cleanliness.

“That’s why we challenged TikTok influencers, Cal and Therese, to track down the best and worst of them all, and transform the ones that really needed it.

“Small changes in public toilets up and down the country would make a big difference. With so many citing bad smells as their biggest bug bear, simple things like introducing indulgent, relaxing scents can make the worst of toilets far more appealing.”