Eight in 10 Brits will only venture into a public toilet if it was completely unavoidable

Eight in 10 Brits would only venture into a public toilet if it was completely unavoidable, according to research.

A poll, of 2,000 adults, found more than half (54 per cent) worry about needing to go when they are away from their home.

If they are forced to go, 46 per cent wipe the seat down before use, and 52 per cent of women 'hover' instead of sitting.

More than six in 10 (61 per cent) people don’t trust the hygiene of others.

With unflushed toilets (71 per cent), overwhelming smells (60 per cent) and blockages (59 per cent) being the top things Brits can’t stand about public loos.

Wrapping hands in toilet roll to avoid touching surfaces or even doing 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 which don't lock and mysterious stains on walls are some of the other vilest things faced while using facilities away from the home.

The research, commissioned by toilet cleaning brand, Bloo, found those in the North East are least comfortable with using a toilet open to the public as 61 per cent believe the standard of cleanliness isn’t up to scratch.

Londoners aren’t content either, with 58 per cent considering them under par.

However, Scots are the happiest with their options – with 44 per cent considering their local facilities clean.

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

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

“But we wanted to find out where the absolute best and worst loos were in the UK.

“Our mission didn’t disappoint with some absolutely foul toilets, but also some hidden gems.”

The research found 21 per cent believe toilets in their local area are cleaned a maximum of just once a week.

Top ways the facilities can be improved include having more of a regular cleaning schedule, touch free technology and nice smells from the addition of products such as rim blocks.

With 34 per cent admitting they would be more inclined to leave a toilet dirty if they were to find it unclean in the first place.

However, 46 per cent clean their own bathroom multiple times a week, with each scrub taking 15 minutes on average.

And 84 per cent make sure it’s at its cleanest when guests are around, according to the figures, by OnePoll.

Halil Dogan, a spokesman for Bloo's new product, Spa Moment Rim Blocks, which offers a blend of essential oils to help combat toilet dread, said: “With our research showing so many clean their own bathroom multiple times a week, it is no wonder adults are avoiding public loos altogether with issues such as bad smells and poor cleanliness.

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

“Small changes in public toilets up and down the country would make a big difference.

“With so many citing bad smells as their biggest bug bear, simple things like introducing indulgent, relaxing scents can make the worst of toilets far more appealing.”