National survey results reveal additional consumer education, awareness and action needed for liquid laundry packets
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 3, 2014 – The American Cleaning Institute® (ACI), a nonprofit organization representing producers of household cleaning products, recently conducted a survey as part of their commitment to help keep children safe from accidental exposures to liquid laundry packets through their KEY Pledge safety education campaign. The campaign is a multi-platform, educational campaign that equips consumers with information about the proper usage, storage and handling of liquid laundry packets.
These liquid laundry packets have become widely available since hitting retailer shelves in 2012 and millions of consumers have found them to be an easy and convenient way to get their laundry done. However, it’s important for parents and caregivers to know these packets contain highly concentrated detergent and require the same discipline as common household cleaning products.
A recent national survey conducted of 1,000 parents and caregivers with young children (ages 0-4), all of whom currently use liquid laundry packets, revealed low consumer awareness of both the risks involved with the packets and the preventative measures that need to be taken before, during and after the laundry process.
According to the survey, approximately 70% of respondents store household cleaners such as dishwashing detergent and glass and toilet cleaners safely and securely, while only 34% report properly storing their liquid laundry packets in a cabinet or a cabinet with a lock. Moreover, 1 out of 6 people surveyed admitted to taking no safety precautions at all in regards to liquid laundry packet storage.
Additionally, while 60% disclosed they immediately put the packets away once brought into the home, more than 50% say they aren’t taking proper safety precautions, storing liquid laundry packets on the washing machine, dryer, counter and floor when not in use. 70% of those keep the product less than five feet from the ground, well within reach of young children.
According to additional research, during the first year liquid laundry packets were on the market, in 85% of the exposures reviewed, the packet was accessed from a visible location. Additionally, 1 in 3 people surveyed shared that their children can reach the single-load liquid laundry packets.* More specifically, storage or placement of liquid laundry packets when doing laundry is as follows: 40% on washing machine, 21% on dryer, 13% on open shelf, 12% on counter, 5% in closet, 3% in cabinet without locks and 6% other. Additionally, nearly half (49%) admitted to having children under the age of 4 years in the room with them while doing laundry.
The American Cleaning Institute is committed to preventing laundry packet accidents and keeping children safe. As part of their ongoing efforts, they created a 60-second animated video to share messages about laundry safety with parents and caregivers.
“As seen in the survey results, we still have work to do. ACI is committed to making the public aware of the importance of using and storing all laundry detergent packets (as well as other household cleaning products) up high and out of the reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet. These products are not intended for use by children,” said Nancy Bock, ACI Senior Vice President of Education.
Consumers are encouraged to take the KEY Pledge online and invite friends and family to do so, as well through social networks and dedicated e-cards. Those who take the pledge can also track how they are making a difference through a heat map that allows them to follow pledge tallies by zip code, in their home state, and across the nation. In addition, all online pledges will be entered into a sweepstakes for a chance for one consumer to win a $2,500 grand prize** to help makeover their laundry room.
To find out more information about the KEY Pledge campaign and to make a personal pledge to be the KEY to a safe laundry room, visit keypledge.com. Additionally, ACI’s infographic can be viewed here.
About the American Cleaning Institute
The American Cleaning Institute® (ACI) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry™ and represents the $30 billion U.S. cleaning products market. ACI members include the formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and oleochemical producers. ACI (www.cleaninginstitute.org) and its members are dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of consumers through sustainable cleaning products and practices.
Survey Methological Notes
The American Cleaning Institute survey was conducted by Directions Research (www.directionsresearch.com) among 1,000 nationally representative American adults, ages 18 and older who have at least one child under 4 years of age and currently use single-load liquid laundry packets, between May 15th, 2013 and May 20th, 2013, using an email invitation and an online survey. Quotas were set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the U.S. adult population 18 and older with at least one child under 4 years of age.
Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. For the interviews conducted in this particular study, the chances are 9 in 10 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 2.6 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.
*”First Year Market Safety Surveillance Data for Single-Use Laundry Detergent Packs” conducted by J.M. Colvin, A. Behrman, S. Yin of the Drug & Poison Information Center, Children’s Hospital Medical Center and K. Vasunia, L.A. Rylander of The Procter & Gamble Company
**NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends on December 31, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Open to legal residents of 50 U.S., the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, 21 and older. Void where prohibited. For Official Rules, go to www.keypledge.com/Keypledge/TermsConditions.html. Sponsor: American Cleaning Institute
Media Contact: Ashley Gabriel, DeVries Global, 212-546-8524, agabriel@devriesglobal.com
