Toilet troubles - £745 million flushed away

• 21 million adults use their mobile phone on the toilet
• 5,500 phones are dropped down the pan every day
• Two fifths (40 per cent) retrieve items with their bare hands
• Those in Sheffield are most likely to use phones on the toilet

New research from Direct Line home insurance¹ reveals 21 million (38 per cent) adults use their mobile phone on the toilet, with 5,500 accidentally dropping them down the pan every single day, over two million devices a year.

Although mobile phones are the most frequently dropped item in the loo, they aren’t the item people spend the most time using while on the toilet. On average, phone users spend 17 minutes per week using them on the loo, while those using laptops or tablets stay occupied for 22 minutes. Those using toys or game consoles do so for 20 minutes and headphone users listen to between around 6 tracks^2, totalling 19 minutes a week.

Table one: Habits on the toilet 

Source: Direct Line 2025

Busy lives mean that nearly half (48 per cent) of Brits find themselves multitasking on the toilet. Alongside using devices, 2.2 million (five per cent) also use the time to put on jewellery or watches, while a further one million (two per cent) are doing their makeup.

Multitasking is risky business though, nearly 10 million people (18 per cent) have admitted someone in their household has dropped items down the lavatory, with a whopping £745 million worth of items falling in.

Some items can be retrieved and over five million (40 per cent) put their hand straight in the toilet to reach for it. Over a third (34 per cent or 4.4 million) of people think a little more carefully by putting on a rubber glove or wrapping their hand in plastic bag first, whereas four per cent opt to call a plumber to retrieve the item for them.

Table Two: How people retrieve items dropped in the toilet 

Source: Direct Line 2025

Despite almost all (90 per cent) saying they were able to retrieve their items, just over a third (37 per cent) could continue using them straight away. Around a third (29 per cent) had to get it cleaned or fixed to be able to use it again, 15 per cent couldn’t use it at all afterwards and 10 per cent chose not to use it anymore because they felt it was too disgusting.

More than a fifth (21 per cent) said they had to buy replacement items following the mishap, but nearly one million were faced with bigger issues. Seven per cent said they had to call a plumber to fix a burst pipe or leak caused by the item going down the toilet. Furthermore, six per cent had to call in experts to remove the item as it was causing a blockage to their system.  

Accidently dropping items isn’t the only issue, as Brits are also guilty of purposefully flushing items down the toilet causing blockages. Kitchen roll (six per cent), sanitary products (four per cent), baby wipes (four per cent) and dental floss (three per cent) make up the items people think are fine to flush, but can cause major plumbing issues.

Dan Simson, Head of Direct Line Home Insurance commented: “Multitasking while on the toilet is something many are guilty of, but while it can alleviate boredom, it can cause major problems if electricals or other items enter the plumbing system.  Blockages, leaks and burst pipes are a common consequence of items being flushed down the toilet and this can easily be avoided by not using them in the bathroom.

“If something is accidentally dropped in the in the loo, we advise that people only retrieve the item if it is easy and safe to do so themselves, and to call in an expert to assist if not. Some insurance policies have home emergency cover in instances where it’s got into the system, and some will have accidental damage to replace items that have been broken as a result. Always check what cover you have to know what you can claim for.”

Regional findings

Those in Sheffield (48 per cent), Belfast (46 per cent) and Cardiff (46 per cent) are the biggest culprits for using their mobile phones on the toilet – more than double of those in Newcastle (21 per cent).

Table Three: Mobile phone usage on the toilet by city

Source: Direct Line 2025Source: Direct Line 2025

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1       Research conducted by Opinium with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults between 31^st January – 4^th February 2025.

2       Average song length - The Perfect Playlist: How Many Songs Should You Include? – Radio Fidelity

* Numbers are indicative only due to low base sizes

For further information please contact:

Direct Line Group:

Chelsey Wheeler

Deputy Head of News and Issues

Email: Chelsey.wheeler@directlinegroup.co.uk

PR team:

Fleishman Hillard

Email: directlinegroupmedia@fleishman.com

Phone: 07482107207

Direct Line 

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.  

In September 2024 Direct Line's Home Insurance policies were rated Which? Best Buy for both contents and buildings cover. 

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.  

Direct Line and U K Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc. 

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling

0345 246 8412 or visiting www.directline.com/home-cover