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Two thirds of Britons ignore basic hygiene

The Hygiene Council has launched their annual report into evidence based approaches to hygiene in the UK. The report, supported by findings from new Dettol consumer research, reveals how good hygiene practices can dramtaically reduce infection rates and warns that not washing hands at appropriate times can have far reaching consequences.

National

53% of people don't wash their hands properly after sneezing or coughing
22% of people don't wash their hand properly after handling animals or pets
33% of people think the kitchen is where the most germs can be found in the home
2% of people think dirty laundry is where the most germs can be found in the home
10% of people think personal clothing, i.e underwear, is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections
7% of people think bed linen is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections

East Anglia

22% of people don't wash their hands properly after sneezing or coughing
19% of people don't wash their hand properly after handling animals or pets
16% of people think the kitchen is where the most germs can be found in the home
2% of people think dirty laundry is where the most germs can be found in the home
5% of people think personal clothing, i.e. underwear, is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections
2% of people think bed linen is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections

London

55% of people don't wash their hands properly after sneezing or coughing
14% of people don't wash their hand properly after handling animals or pets
31% of people think the kitchen is where the most germs can be found in the home
2% of people think dirty laundry is where the most germs can be found in the home
11% of people think personal clothing, i.e. underwear, is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections
7% of people think bed linen is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections

East Midlands

40% of people don't wash their hands properly after sneezing or coughing
33% of people don't wash their hand properly after handling animals or pets
43% of people think the kitchen is where the most germs can be found in the home
1% of people think dirty laundry is where the most germs can be found in the home
9% of people think personal clothing, i.e. underwear, is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections
4% of people think bed linen is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections

West Midlands

60% of people don't wash their hands properly after sneezing or coughing
20% of people don't wash their hand properly after handling animals or pets
36% of people think the kitchen is where the most germs can be found in the home
6% of people think dirty laundry is where the most germs can be found in the home
9% of people think personal clothing, i.e underwear, is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections
3% of people think bed linen is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections

North East

59% of people don't wash their hands properly after sneezing or coughing
22% of people don't wash their hand properly after handling animals or pets
26% of people think the kitchen is where the most germs can be found in the home
3% of people think dirty laundry is where the most germs can be found in the home
12% of people think personal clothing, i.e. underwear, is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections
9% of people think bed linen is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections

North West

43% of people don't wash their hands properly after sneezing or coughing
13% of people don't wash their hand properly after handling animals or pets
35% of people think the kitchen is where the most germs can be found in the home
1% of people think dirty laundry is where the most germs can be found in the home
12% of people think personal clothing, i.e. underwear, is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections
16% of people think bed linen is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections Northern Ireland

Scotland

46% of people don't wash their hands properly after sneezing or coughing
30% of people don't wash their hand properly after handling animals or pets
23% of people think the kitchen is where the most germs can be found in the home
21% of people think personal clothing, i.e. underwear, is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections
8% of people think bed linen is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections

South East

56% of people don't wash their hands properly after sneezing or coughing
25% of people don't wash their hand properly after handling animals or pets
30% of people think the kitchen is where the most germs can be found in the home
2% of people think dirty laundry is where the most germs can be found in the home
11% of people think personal clothing, i.e. underwear, is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections
5% of people think bed linen is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections

South West

56% of people don't wash their hands properly after sneezing or coughing
25% of people don't wash their hand properly after handling animals or pets
37% of people think the kitchen is where the most germs can be found in the home
3% of people think dirty laundry is where the most germs can be found in the home
5% of people think personal clothing, i.e underwear, is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections
10% of people think bed linen is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections

Wales

55% of people don't wash their hands properly after sneezing or coughing
19% of people don't wash their hand properly after handling animals or pets
40% of people think the kitchen is where the most germs can be found in the home
5% of people think dirty laundry is where the most germs can be found in the home
15% of people think personal clothing, i.e. underwear, is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections
4% of people think bed linen is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections

Yorkshire and Humberside

59% of people don't wash their hands properly after sneezing or coughing
22% of people don't wash their hand properly after handling animals or pets
32% of people think the kitchen is where the most germs can be found in the home
1% of people think dirty laundry is where the most germs can be found in the home
9% of people think personal clothing, i.e underwear, is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections
3% of people think bed linen is most likely to have bacteria that could cause infections

Hygienic house work

Scientific evidence has shown us that washing hands, targeted disinfection and laundry sanitisation can help prevent the spread of infection. Find out more...

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