Bacteria and mould can be a persistent nuisance throughout the year, but an expert has identified one common habit that creates ideal conditions for both. This habit is surprisingly widespread, with nearly half of Brits engaging in it daily.
Study Reveals Extent of the Habit
New research from Mira Showers indicates that 46 per cent of Brits admit to taking their phones into the bathroom every day. Furthermore, 43 per cent confess to bringing their device into the shower. Emily Robertson, an in-house expert at Mira Showers, warns against this practice, as phones can pick up germs and bacteria circulating in the bathroom after flushing the toilet. She also emphasizes that repeated exposure to steam and moisture can encourage mould growth in phone cases and cause long-term damage to devices.
Regional Variations
The study found that the habit is most prevalent in the Northeast, where 67 per cent of residents take their phones into the bathroom. Northern Ireland follows at 60 per cent, and Yorkshire ranks third with 51 per cent of residents admitting to the unhygienic ritual.
Reasons for the Habit
The research also explored why people bring their phones into the bathroom. 31 per cent do so to listen to music while showering. One in ten use it for podcasts, another 10 per cent for YouTube, and 5 per cent for audiobooks.
Expert Explanation of Risks
Emily Robertson explains: “You may think taking your phone into the bathroom is harmless, as it is considered a clean and sanitary environment, but germs and bacteria are constantly lingering in the air, especially after flushing the toilet, or post shower when steam is circulating around the room.” She notes that because these germs are invisible, Brits often do not realize they are transferring them onto their devices. However, germs immediately land on and stick to any object nearby.
Robertson elaborates on how the action can create a breeding ground for mould: “The steam circulating in the room cannot only cause damage to the device itself, but it can also cause mould to start growing within things like phone cases or iPad sleeves.” She adds: “The hot, damp conditions of a bathroom are the perfect environment for mould to grow, especially in phone cases, as they easily trap bacteria and are often warm from the heat of the phone's battery.”
Mental Health Perspective
Behaviour specialist Simbarashe Shamu provides insight from a mental health angle. He explains: “Phones are built into everyday routines; they offer quick rewards and quick escape from discomfort. People pick up their phone because they are bored, waiting, tired, avoiding a task, looking for reassurance, or just responding to a familiar cue.” He highlights that the bathroom was previously “one of the few natural pauses in the day where phones weren’t present.” Now, with technology, that small pause is often interrupted.
“The issue isn't just screen time,” he continues. “[I]t’s that a space which could have allowed a short pause is turned into another source of prompts, stimulation and content. Those few minutes may seem minor, but small repeated pauses matter. They help us notice what we actually need instead of automatically reaching for the next distraction.”
Other Dangers
Other risks include electric shocks if devices slip into wet conditions, as well as steam and moisture damage that affects a phone’s screen and battery life over time.
