Cleaning the toilet is a chore that many of us would gladly skip if given the chance. It is hardly anyone’s idea of a good time, but it’s a necessary task to keep our homes and ourselves healthy. Yet, it seems that a significant number of Australians are procrastinating on this task far longer than they should, according to a recent survey.
The survey by Australian Heritage Brand Oates revealed a startling statistic: 18 per cent of Australians are only cleaning their toilets every two to three weeks. This frequency—or lack thereof—is enough to spark hygiene debate. Let’s dive into the dirty details and explore how we can turn this habit around.
Leigh Macdermid, a Melbourne resident, shared her past experiences with Yahoo Lifestyle, painting a picture that many of us can relate to. During her younger years in a share house, cleaning was the last thing on anyone’s mind.
‘You just didn’t do the cleaning. No one wanted to do it, we just wanted to go out,’ recalled the now-49-year-old. This attitude often left their toilet in a neglected state, only receiving attention when guests were expected or an inspection loomed on the horizon.
The bathroom, a place where personal hygiene should be paramount, often became a battleground of avoidance, with cleaning duties being passed around like a hot potato. Leigh recalled their bathroom often being left in a ‘hairy’ and cluttered state, with a quick wipe of the counter being the extent of the cleaning efforts.
But it’s not just toilets that are suffering from neglect. Oates’ partnership with Clean Up Australia has brought to light that 21 per cent of Australians only clean their bath once a month, and a mere 24 per cent scrub their shower with the same frequency.
Aldo Oosterman, a spokesperson from Oates, suggests that the ‘ick’ factor and the need for more tender loving care in cleaning these areas contribute to the reluctance.
‘Also, people don’t tend to linger in these spaces, so the incidental cleans don’t really happen. People tend to spend a lot of time in places like kitchens and living rooms, where a touch-up clean is usually done, but you don’t get the same in spaces like toilets or bathrooms,’ he further explained.
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Meanwhile, Ashley Woolf, MD of Woolf Plumbing, emphasises the importance of regular cleaning, recommending that toilets be cleaned with antibacterial products at least once a week. Her reasons are clear: hygiene, longevity of bathroom fixtures, and prevention of health issues such as urinary tract infections, skin rashes, and fungal infections.
Going back to Leigh, as her life evolved, so did her cleaning habits. With her children growing older and lending a hand, and the transition from renting to homeownership, she found a renewed sense of pride and responsibility in maintaining a clean home.
This shift is reflective of a broader trend identified by Oates’ research, which found that cleaning frequency increases with age. The survey of 1,497 Australians showed that while younger adults might do one ‘big clean’ a month, those aged 60 and above are the most diligent cleaners.
Aldo Oosterman offers a novel piece of advice to keep your cleaning schedule on track: clean your toilets and showers as frequently as you would if you expected a visit from your parents. He said this mindset can help motivate you to maintain a standard of cleanliness that you can be proud of.
Ashley Woolf also adds a final note on the importance of bathroom hygiene, reminding us that bacteria can be airborne, especially after flushing the toilet. Keeping the lid closed and using a disinfectant air freshener can help mitigate the spread of germs.
So, our YourLifeChoices readers, it’s time to ask ourselves: Are we part of the 18 per cent or the ‘diligent cleaners’ group? If so, it’s never too late to change our ways. Regular toilet cleaning not only ensures a more pleasant and hygienic home but also protects our health.
