20 Shocking Personal Hygiene Facts
You might think it’s a given that people wash their hands and stick to good hygiene practices, but this is not always the case. In fact, you might be shocked to find out the actual number of times people wash their hands or practice personal hygiene. Let’s delve into 20 shocking personal hygiene facts and how you can make sure you’re not a part of these figures!
- 1. Germs can survive on your hands for over 3 hours.
- 2. The average person only spends 6 seconds washing their hands.
- 3. Remember to wash your hands before preparing and eating food!
- 4. Some people don’t wash their hands at all.
- 5. Only 2/3 of people who do wash their hands use soap.
- 6. 38% of men and 60% of women don’t wash their hands after using the toilet.
- 7. Hand drying is just as important as actually washing your hands.
- 8. 40% of people don’t wash their hands after sneezing, coughing or blowing their nose.
- 9. Your fingertips acquire almost double the amount of germs after using the toilet.
- 10. Toothbrushes aren’t as clean as you think.
- 11. More than 50% of the UK doesn’t shower daily.
- 12. 70% of foodborne illnesses come from not washing hands.
- 13. The five-second rule doesn’t exist!
- 14. People often forget to wash water bottles.
- 15. Mobile phones carry 10 times more bacteria than toilet seats.
- 16. An average work desk is actually dirtier than a toilet seat.
- 17. Don’t forget to clean your computer keyboards too!
- 18. Hospitals are also breeding grounds for bacteria.
- 19. What about all those buttons you press on a daily basis?
- 20. Deaths can be prevented with proper handwashing practices.
- Ensure You Aren’t Another Statistic with Woosh Washrooms
1. Germs can survive on your hands for over 3 hours.
You might think germs die after a couple of minutes, but you would be wrong! In reality, germs can survive on surfaces for up to 24 hours, sometimes even more. Any germs on your hands can even stick around for about 3 hours, so it is important to follow good hygiene practices.
2. The average person only spends 6 seconds washing their hands.
That sounds pretty grim, right? Even with a global pandemic, some people still don’t wash their hands for the recommended 20 seconds. Remember, to ensure your hands are free of germs, you must wash your hands for at least 20 seconds using warm water and soap!
3. Remember to wash your hands before preparing and eating food!
As children, we are told to wash our hands before eating food. So why is this different for adults? Sometimes, especially during working hours, we might be rushed to eat lunch, but you should always find time to wash or simply sanitise your hands to ensure you are not consuming germs while eating food.
4. Some people don’t wash their hands… EVER.
Probably the most shocking fact on this list is that some people don’t wash their hands at all. With 15% of men and 7% of women stating they don’t wash their hands, it is clear that more education is needed to inform people of the importance of hand hygiene. By spending 20 seconds washing your hands, you can not only remove germs but also minimise the risk of yourself and others becoming sick.
Not washing your hands after using the toilet can lead to the transmission of various illnesses and germs, including gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, Norovirus, Hepatitis, and Staphylococcus Aureus (Staph). All of which cause some very nasty symptoms!
5. Only 2/3 of people who do wash their hands use soap.
Even though most people claim to wash their hands, some don’t even use soap! Without soap, you are simply spreading germs around your hands and any surfaces you may splash water onto.
Using antibacterial soap isn't always necessary either. Regular soap, along with proper handwashing techniques, is effective at removing dirt, germs, and other contaminants from your hands, as the friction generated while washing and rinsing your hands under running water helps dislodge and remove bacteria and viruses. However, in certain situations where there's a higher risk of exposure to harmful bacteria or if you're in a healthcare setting, antibacterial soap is recommended. Make soap convenient for washroom users by installing handy soap dispensers to ensure soap is always available.
6. 38% of men and 60% of women don’t wash their hands after using the toilet.
You would think one of the most obvious times to wash your hands is after using the toilet, but astoundingly, a large majority of men and women don’t. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has meant that more people are conscious of germs, this figure is still worrying!
7. Hand drying is just as important as actually washing your hands.
It’s all good and well washing your hands for 20 seconds and using soap, but it can all be for nothing if you don’t finish the hand washing process by drying your hands. Wet or damp hands are more likely to spread germs in comparison to dry hands making it even more important to follow these personal hygiene rules.
Installing a hand dryer in your washroom can provide a fast hand drying option for your users and stop the spread of germs.
8. 40% of people don’t wash their hands after sneezing, coughing or blowing their nose.
Sneezing, coughing, and blowing your nose are modes of transmission for viruses and germs. By not washing your hands, you are providing another way for germs to spread: through contaminating surfaces. A general good hygiene practice is to wash or sanitise your hands after sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose. Even if you sneezed or coughed into a tissue, you should still wash your hands, just in case.
9. Your fingertips acquire almost double the amount of germs after using the toilet.
As you’re reading this, you probably have about 2-10 million bacteria on your fingertips. After using the toilet, this number can double making it even more imperative you wash your hands after using the toilet!
10. Toothbrushes aren’t as clean as you think.
It’s not just about the number of germs on your hands. What about the number of germs on everyday items, such as your toothbrush? If you think about it, you use your toothbrush to brush your teeth, so any bacteria, fungi, or viruses in your mouth will be transferred onto your toothbrush.
To add to this shocking fact, if you store your toothbrush near a toilet, any airborne particles from the “toilet sneeze” may also land on your toothbrush.
11. More than 50% of the UK doesn’t shower daily.
It’s reasonable to think most people shower daily, but this isn’t the case. More than 50% of the UK opt not to shower every day. The frequency you need to shower is often a big debate, with some doctors recommending daily showers whilst others say evey other day can be ideal for some people. It all depends on the individual!
12. 70% of foodborne illnesses come from not washing hands.
Although sometimes this cannot be helped, you should ensure your food is from a reliable source. Accidents happen but it is crucial for food services staff to make sure they have strict hygiene rules in place to ensure the safety of their customers.
13. The five-second rule doesn’t exist!
You would be wrong if you think dropping your food on the floor but picking it back up in under 5 seconds means it’s germ-free. Germs can actually contaminate food as soon as it hits the floor, so you should avoid eating food off the ground. Think of what else touches the floor, from shoes to even dogs!
14. People often forget to wash water bottles.
One of the most commonly forgotten items to wash is water bottles. However, it is just as important to wash water bottles as any other item in your kitchen!
15. Mobile phones carry 10 times more bacteria than toilet seats.
When was the last time you sanitised your phone? You’ve probably heard this before, but mobile phones can be riddled with ten times more germs than toilet seats. If you think about it, your hands touch many different surfaces every day, and touching your phone can spread germs onto your device. You’ll also put your phone down on various surfaces. Sanitising your phone daily is a good hygiene practice.
16. An average work desk is actually dirtier than a toilet seat.
Another area commonly covered in germs is a work desk. Various items, such as bags or laptops, are placed on a desk that have been placed on other surfaces. These elements add to a germ-filled table until it is properly sanitised and cleaned.
17. Don’t forget to clean your computer keyboards too!
It’s not just the desk itself that is dirty. What about your computer keyboard? This is the one item you are bound to touch each day, and as a result, it can harbour many different germs. The best way to ensure your items have a reduced number of germs on them is to give them a thorough sanitisation at the end of each day so you don’t have to worry about it in the morning.
18. Hospitals are also breeding grounds for bacteria.
Hospitals are generally thought of as the safest places to be when you are sick or injured, but it is shocking to know that 1 in 25 patients actually catch an infection in a hospital. This shows that even nurses and doctors need to be regularly reminded of the need to maintain good hygiene practices.
19. What about all those buttons you press on a daily basis?
Have you ever thought about all the buttons you press on a daily basis? From elevator buttons to traffic light signals and light switches, you touch a range of buttons each day that could each be contaminated with millions of germs, as it is not just you who touches those buttons!
This emphasises the importance of personal hygiene, as there is nothing you can do to stop others from spreading germs, but you can stop the chain of infection with yourself if you wash your hands properly.
20. Deaths can be prevented with proper handwashing practices.
Millions of deaths could be prevented by simply washing your hands each year. A cold or the flu might not affect you, but it can be life-threatening for someone else. That’s why hand hygiene is important to ensure you protect yourself from illnesses and stop the spread of germs to others.
Ensure You Aren’t Another Statistic with Woosh Washrooms
So there we have it—20 shocking hand washing and hygiene facts. Were you shocked by some of the numbers? Make sure you aren’t a statistic on this list by following personal hygiene rules such as hand washing and showering.
If you have a washroom, why not stock up on all the essentials to ensure your users can easily wash their hands? At Woosh, we have a range of washroom supplies, from soap dispensers to hand dryers and hand sanitisers. Fight off germs with Woosh today!
FAQs
Which parts of the hands are missed when washing?
Common areas that are missed when washing your hands are your fingertips and the palms. These are commonly forgotten areas, as you usually just assume they are scrubbed when you rub your hands together, but you should pay special attention to these areas to make sure they are not missed!
For more tips on washing your hands, take a look at our guide.
Why is personal hygiene important?
Personal hygiene is important as it not only reduces your risk of getting sick but you can also prevent others from contracting illnesses too. It is crucial to follow personal hygiene rules to break the chain of infection and protect those around you.
What are 5 good hygiene practices?
Some good hygiene practices to follow include:
- Taking regular showers
- Brushing your teeth regularly
- Washing your hands frequently
- Washing your genitals
- Keeping your home clean
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