New Survey Uncovers the UK’s Worst Bathroom Habits

Whether it’s a routine weekly scrub or a last-minute panic clean before guests arrive, bathroom hygiene is no doubt important to maintain. However, despite our best intentions, it seems that many Brits are letting some bad habits slip through the cracks. 

To find out more, Mira Showers recently surveyed 1,500 Brits to reveal a range of questionable choices lurking behind closed bathroom doors – from leaving hair to clog the drain to replacing toilet brushes once every five years.

Emily Robertson, in-house shower expert at Mira Showers, also reveals some quick & easy cleaning hacks to keep your bathroom hygienic and fresh all year round. 

Britain’s bathroom confessions: cleaning, habits and hygiene

• Toilet brushes – Shockingly, 22% of Brits replace their toilet brushes only once every five years, while 46% manage to swap theirs out annually.
• Peeing in the shower – 76% admit to it, while 24% firmly deny this habit.
• Toilet lid etiquette – Despite widespread awareness of the germ-spreading risk, 49% of people still flush with the lid up.

To find out how regularly Brits are cleaning their bathrooms, 40% said they give their bathroom a proper clean once a month, while a shocking 5% only commit to this task once a year.

When it comes to cleaning our bathrooms, Brits revealed that their least favourite cleaning chores include scrubbing the toilet (42%), cleaning the shower or bath (27%), and clearing hair from drains (18%).

When asked about mould and mildew in their bathrooms, more than half (54%) admit to regularly ignoring it, while 45% claim they’ve never had mould in their bathroom.

Biggest bathroom pet peeves

When asked about the bathroom habits that Brits can’t stand – not flushing the toilet and not washing hands properly came out on top. With not cleaning the toilet and leaving hair to clog the drain following closely behind.

Bathroom Habit	Percentage (%)
Not flushing the toilet	61%
Not washing hands properly or at all	60%
Not cleaning the toilet	41%
Leaving hair to clog the drain	23%
Leaving toilet seat up	17%
Not regularly washing or replacing towels	12%
Not replacing empty toilet rolls	11%
Leaving wet towels on the floor	11%
Using phone on the toilet	8%
Toothpaste on the sink/mirror	7%

When asked about confronting others on their bathroom habits, 42% admit they would find it too uncomfortable to call out a housemate on their less-than-ideal bathroom behaviour, while 58% said they’d have no problem speaking up.

Expert cleaning tips to keep your bathroom sparkling

To help the nation break free from bad habits and maintain a cleaner bathroom, Emily Robertson, in-house shower expert at Mira Showers, has shared some lesser-known, game-changing cleaning hacks:

1. Unclog drains 

 “You can use a plunger or a drain snake to physically remove clogs from the drain that may not be visible. Alternatively, chemical drain cleaners may work but should be used with caution as they may be harsh on the pipes. If these methods don’t work, you should call a professional plumber to remove severe blockages.”

2. Tea for a streak-free shine

 “If you are tired of seeing smears on your windows or mirrors, the answer is actually sitting in your tea cup. Brew a strong cup of black tea, let it cool, and use it to wipe down mirrors for a streak-free, sparkling finish. The tannins in tea help break down residue and leave glass crystal clear.”

3.  Beat mould and mildew 

“A simple solution of white vinegar and baking soda can work wonders on stubborn mould. Spray it on, leave for an hour, and scrub away for a fresh, clean finish.”

4. Keep toilet brushes fresh 

“Toilet brushes can typically harbour over 2 billion germs on their bristles after just a few uses. To reduce bacteria buildup, soak your toilet brush in a bleach solution every month and replace it annually (or more frequently if you want to avoid the 22% club!).”

5. Say goodbye to lingering odours

“Scented toilet paper is a luxury for many, as we all know it comes at an extra cost. However, you can easily create this yourself without splashing out in the supermarket. Keep your bathroom smelling fresh by adding a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the toilet paper roll’s cardboard tube. Every time it spins, it releases a subtle, pleasant aroma.”

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