Britons will only use a public toilet if it is absolutely unavoidable, research shows

Research shows that EIGHT in 10 Brits will only venture into a public toilet if it is absolutely unavoidable.

A survey of 2,000 adults found that more than half worry about having to go when they are away from home.

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When forced to go, 46 ​​percent wipe down the chair before using it and 52 percent of women “float” instead of sitting.

More than six in ten people do not trust the hygiene of others.

Because the toilets are unflushed, overpowering smells and blockages are the main things Britons hate when it comes to public toilets.

Wrapping hands in toilet rolls to avoid touching surfaces or even going about their business while holding their bag rather than putting it down are things people do to make the public toilet experience more pleasant.

Toilet cubicles that don't lock and mysterious stains on the walls are some of the other nastiest things you may encounter when using outdoor facilities.

The research, commissioned by toilet cleaning brand Bloo, shows that people in the North East are the least comfortable using a toilet that is open to the public, as 61 per cent believe that the standard of hygiene is not is up to standard.

Londoners aren't happy either; 58 percent think they are substandard.

However, Scots are happiest with their options, with 44 percent saying their local facilities are clean.

To put the statistics to the test, Bloo teamed up with TikTok stars Cal and Therese Ryan to rate the UK's best and worst public toilets in areas such as Milton Keynes, London and Birmingham.

Callum Ryan said: “People really hate public toilets and I think they are particularly bad in the UK compared to other countries.

“But we wanted to know where the absolute best and worst loos in Britain were.

“Our mission did not disappoint with some absolutely filthy toilets, but also some hidden gems.”

The research shows that 21 percent believe that the toilets in their area are cleaned a maximum of once a week.

The best ways in which facilities can be improved include a more regular cleaning schedule, touchless technology and pleasant scents through the addition of products such as rim pads.

34 percent admit they would be more likely to leave a toilet dirty if they thought it was unclean in the first place.

However, 46 percent clean the bathroom several times a week, with each scrub lasting an average of 15 minutes.

And 84 percent ensure that it is at its cleanest when there are guests around, according to OnePoll figures.

Halil Dogan, spokesperson for Bloo's new product, Spa Moment Rim Blocks, which offers a blend of essential oils to combat toilet anxiety, said: “With our research showing that so many people clean their own bathrooms several times a week, it's no wonder that adults avoid public toilets altogether due to problems such as bad odors and poor hygiene.

“That's why we challenged TikTok influencers Cal and Therese to track down the best and worst of them all and transform the ones who really needed it.

“Small changes to public toilets across the country would make a big difference.

“Because so many cite bad smells as their biggest bugbear, simple things like introducing lovely, relaxing scents can make the worst toilets much more appealing.”