In news that won’t come as a shock to many parents, 87 per cent of Aussie kids aren’t washing their hands properly. So one of the nation’s most beloved children’s groups has been enlisted to help!

A new study of parents and teachers, commissioned by Dettol, found that 87 per cent of Australian kids aged between three and six don’t wash their hands for the health expert recommended 20 seconds.

The research found only a third consistently use soap every time they wash, just one in five wash their hands after playing, sneezing, coughing or blowing their nose, and 60 per cent wash their hands for 15 seconds or less.

The research highlights a gap between kids being aware of what they have to do when they wash their hands, and actually doing it. As this leads to the spread of germs, kids feeling unwell and missing out on valuable playtime, which is a key part of childhood learning.

So Dettol has decided to help parents (and kids) out by making handwashing fun – working to close the gap between kids knowing what to do and actually doing it. And they’ve enlisted The Wiggles to help out!

The entertainers have released a new song called Wash Like The Wiggles, aimed at transforming handwashing into a learning experience as well as something fun.

“We understand that teaching children about hygiene can be as challenging as getting them to eat their veggies. That’s why we’re pleased to work with Dettol on a unique approach to education that resonates with children and helps vital messages like these stick,” said Simon Wiggle.

“We’re super excited to be part of this great initiative, spreading joy instead of germs.”

Dettol has also launched two new new Kids Colour Foaming Handwashes, which are suitable from three-years-old, in collaboration with The Wiggles. Designed to foam with bright colours, the new range is all about giving kids a helping hand when it comes to hygiene.