Sunrise stars Monique Wright and Edwina Bartholomew have shared a frank discussion about changes in hygiene habits during a live segment on the Channel Seven breakfast show.
The presenters were discussing new research from Coles supermarket which has found that Australian shoppers are spending less on some personal care and cleaning items as a result of the cost of living crisis.
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: Monique and Edwina discuss new Coles research
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“As the cost of living crisis forces families to make some tough decisions on where to cut back on spending, the top products being left off supermarket shelves are kitchen cleaners, body wash sponges, antibacterial wipes and bathroom disinfectants,” Wright explained during the Hot Topics segment.
“They’re the things that apparently we’re not buying as much – the data is from Coles.”
Discussing the findings with veteran Seven News Nick McCallum and Bartholomew, Wright asked whether consumers are purchasing alternative less expensive cleaning options “or are we just becoming filthier?”
McCallum said the data “made sense”.
“During the COVID period, personal and household hygiene, there was an enormous emphasis on it and I’d imagine sales then went absolutely bunter,” McCallum said.
“So it’s only natural since the pandemic has eased off, people have stopped thinking about that sort of stuff and not buying it as much and they think it’s discretionary.”
Speaking to Bartholomew, Wright asked her about her own habits.
“I think it’s interesting also that, in our briefing notes, it says that this was leaked by Coles that someone managed to get the dirty on how disgusting we’re being. Eddie, how’s your personal hygiene?” she asked.
“Well, I mean, you’re very close to me, so you tell me!” Bartholomew responded.
“But I think, you know, soap is expensive, BO is free.”
She added: “I think we’re seeing this bite every single household. I think concerning from these figures, people are choosing less environmentally friendly products because they’re generally more expensive.
“I think every time you go to the shopping centre, every time I get to the checkout, it’s a shock. You know, it’s, it’s hundreds of dollars more.
“So I think it’s no surprise that people are cutting back.
“I’m not sure it means that we’re necessarily, you know, dirtier.”
The pair then discussed Wright’s hand sanitiser use during the COVID lockdown period.
“I do remember during the pandemic, Mon, that you were mainlining sanitiser,” Bartholomew said.
“So, potentially your bill might have gone down just a schmidge.”
Wright agreed, adding: “Enormously. It was quite a habit to give up actually!
“I did stop short from drinking it though.”