Special Cleanliness Report: When Good Vacations Go Bad

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SDA Survey Reveals Our Most Likely 'Vacation Spots'

Think P.A.C.K. for Clean, Healthy Summer Travel

WASHINGTON, May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- While on vacation, most people have either gotten sick, stained a piece of clothing or stayed in a place that was "disgustingly filthy."

The Dirty Details:

According to The Soap and Detergent Association's (SDA) Summer Vacation National Cleaning Survey:

* 1 in 4 (23%) people has encountered a "nightmare" vacation destination
that they described as "disgustingly filthy."
* 1 in 4 (27%) people has gotten sick while on vacation.
* 1 in 2 (51%) has suffered stains on their clothing on vacation.
* 4 out of 10 (43%) have felt the need to clean eating areas when they
first arrived at a destination.

"This research brings all new meaning to the term 'vacation spots,'" said Brian Sansoni, SDA Vice President of Communication. "By taking a few minutes to pack the basic 'on-the-go' cleaning supplies, consumers can have the peace- of-mind that comes with being prepared for life's little spills and messes."

Our Ideal Destinations

According to SDA's research, our favorite vacations include the beach (27%), sightseeing (18%), camping (17%), visiting relatives (15%) and theme parks (9%). People are most likely to stay in a hotel or motel (59%), with a relative (30%) or at a campsite (17%).

But what type of cleaning product do we bring along for the ride?

What we bring (respondents could choose more than one item):

* Bar or liquid hand soap 56%
* Hand or personal wipes 44%
* Hand sanitizer 41%
* Cleaning/disinfectant wipes 31%
* Disinfectant spray 21%
* Air sanitizer 14%
* Stain wipes 14%


SDA (http://www.cleaning101.com/) provides recommendations for what cleaning, hygiene and disinfecting products you can pack for your summer vacation destinations.

When hitting the beach bring ...
* Hand wipes to make removal of sand and suntan lotion a breeze.
* Stain removal wipes to stem the tide of summer stains, such as ketchup
and ice cream from clothing.
* Gentle laundry detergent for washing the salt and sand from delicate
bathing suits or beach towels.

When sightseeing bring ...
* Hand sanitizer for easy on-the-go hygiene while browsing shops and
museums.
* Disinfectant wipes for surfaces in your hotel or motel room, including
commonly touched places such as door knobs, telephones and remote
controls.
* Disinfectant spray and air sanitizer to help rid hotel rooms of germs
and odors left behind.

When camping bring ...
* Bar or liquid hand soap because it may be in short supply in the
woods.
* Dishwashing wipes to easily clean utensils, dishes and pots.
* Fabric softener sheets to keep with laundry to make it smell better
until you get home!

When staying at a rental property bring ...
* Single use, pre-measured tablets or gels for automatic dishwashing,
which are easy to pack and easy to use.
* Window and dusting wipes for quick surface cleanups.

SDA says P.A.C.K. for your next vacation:

Portability is key! Luckily, cleaning wipes and many other cleaning
products come in convenient packaging, which you can toss in your travel
bag and go.

Anticipate your needs. Chances are, you will wish you had a cleaning
product at some point during your vacation.

Clean your surfaces. Whether it's a hotel countertop or an eating
surface at a campsite, wipe down all surfaces to be safe.

Keep hands clean. The best way to prevent illness and the spread of
germs is by washing your hands routinely, particularly before eating and
after using the restroom.

A more detailed survey summary is available at http://www.cleaning101.com/newsroom.

The independent consumer research study was completed in April 2005 on behalf of The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) by International Communications Research (ICR). The survey inquiring about consumers' summer vacation habits included 1,009 American adults (502 men and 507 women), with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent.

The Soap and Detergent Association (http://www.cleaning101.com/) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry(SM), representing manufacturers of household, industrial, and institutional cleaning products; their ingredients and finished packaging; and oleochemical producers. SDA members produce more than 90 percent of the cleaning products marketed in the U.S. SDA is located at 1500 K Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005.

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