KUALA LUMPUR - Toilet handles and telephones are among the cleanest items in many Malaysian homes, with kitchen cloths and taps being dirtier than toilet flushes and toilet door handles.

Also, despite the global influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, only 21% of Malaysians recognise hand washing as an effective way to avoid catching the flu.

According to the fourth annual Dettol Global Hygiene Survey conducted by the Hygiene Council, an estimated 80% of all infections were transmitted by hand.

"Hand washing is probably the most important act you can do to protect yourself and your family," said Dr Christopher Lee, a council committee member and specialist in infectious diseases.

The survey collected bacterial swab samples from 140 homes in seven countries, and the report revealed that contrary to popular belief, kitchen cloths and taps were dirtier than toilet flushes and toilet door handles.

The telephone, along with the toilet handle, were, in fact, the cleanest items in participating Malaysian homes - 5% of the 75% telephone samples were spotless, and 70% being satisfactory.

"Greater importance should be placed on effective removal of potentially harmful bacteria from frequently touched surfaces, especially places critical to food or environmental safety, rather than focusing on the amount of time spent cleaning," Dr Lee said.

He also highlighted the importance of parents and guardians in instilling proper personal hygiene habits in children.

Nearly three quarters (71%) of those questioned globally and more than half (55%) of Malaysians learnt their hygiene habits from their family while growing up.

Only 15% of Malaysian parents recognised that the optimum duration for hand washing was 20 seconds.

--The Star/ANN