“Most parents seem to think that children only want traditional fruity fragrances, so it was fascinating to find out what scents would actually encourage children to wash their hands more thoroughly,” commented Neil Weaver, managing director of Seven Scent.
The company’s creative perfumer Kate Williams added: “It was no surprise to us that choco-orange came top as although this is a fragrance that adults wouldn’t usually consider for a soap or hand wash, it appealed hugely to the children who tested it. Chocolate is loved by most children and the citrus tang gives it a clean zesty smell. Carex are considering marketing this product next year as a result of the project.”
A fragrance called strawberry laces took second place, followed by bubblegum, apple berry splat, space dust (sherbet), monkey milkshake (banana, vanilla and milk), orange squash, candyfloss, pizza and cherry pop. Conversely, the least favoured were scents dubbed worm pie and fish fingers & chips.
The research was conducted in support of Global Handwashing Day, which takes place today (15 October 2010).
