Toilet troubles are flushing Brits with fear – with ‘toilet anxiety’ causing some to avoid flushing altogether, new research reveals.
The research of 2,005 people found that nine in ten (91 per cent) say they’ve worried a toilet might not flush properly before using it, while 88 per cent admit they’ve felt embarrassed going to the toilet when others are nearby.
From running taps to mask the noise to waiting until everyone has left the room, Brits are going to surprising lengths to avoid awkward bathroom moments.
Public loos are a particular concer, with more than half (57 per cent) saying they weren’t confident that a public toilet would flush first time. While 31 per cent said the toilet not flushing when out of the home was one of their most awkward feature and a third (33 per cent) said realising there’s no toilet paper ranks among their most awkward fears, ahead of their card being declined at the checkout (30%), sending a message to the wrong person (28%) and tripping in public (25%).
Despite this, many Brits are still choosing style over substance when it comes to their own bathrooms. The research suggests shoppers often assume performance will match appearance, but that’s not always the case.
In fact, only half said they could remember being given any information about flush performance when buying a toilet. Yet 42 per cent said how well it flushes is more important than how it looks, while the same number (42 per cent) ranked it above price. A further 39 per cent said performance actually matters more than colour.
It may explain why nearly a third (31 per cent) of buyers admitted they’ve been left disappointed by how their toilet performs after it was installed.
Noise is another major issue keeping Brits on edge, especially at night. A separate study found that more than eight in ten (83 per cent) said they’ve been disturbed by the sound of a toilet flushing while trying to sleep.
The problem is so bad that 82% confessed to changing their behaviour, such as delaying or avoiding flushing altogether, to avoid making noise.
Toilet manufacturer, Geberit, which commissioned the research, says the findings highlight how outdated toilet design is failing to meet modern expectations.
Sonia De Gioia, sales director for Showrooms at Geberit UK, said: “People are worrying about something that should just work – and when it doesn’t, it causes unnecessary anxiety. A bad flush is something you remember every single time.
“The toilet is the hardest-working product in the bathroom, yet it’s often the most overlooked. We upgrade everything else in our homes – but toilets are still often chosen on habit or the sales rep at the time.”
With millions of Brits quietly stressing about something as basic as using the loo, it seems the humble flush could be the key to restoring the nation’s bathroom confidence.