Indians more conscious of healthier homes, show growing desire for wellness: Dyson Global Dust Study 2023

On the occasion, indianexpress.com interacted with Nathan Lawson McLean, Design Manager, Floorcare Design Engineering, Dyson. McLean revealed the key objectives behind the study and discussed the findings about India that impressed him the most.

What is the key objective behind the Dyson Global Dust study?

Before Dyson sets out to design a solution, we want to fully understand the problem. And, when it comes to dust, we are absolutely obsessed with it. It’s a ubiquitous problem that we see in every single household worldwide, yet it is often overlooked. With the Dyson Global Dust study, our aim is to understand people’s awareness about dust so that we can design more effective solutions. This also involves understanding users’ cleaning behaviours, habits, and motivations at home, as well as the impact of dust on their health and well-being.

Dyson is a global brand with products across the world. Since each nation is different, how does it ensure universal applicability in its product design?

This is a fundamental aspect of our design process. We place emphasis on accessibility and consider a wide range of potential users. We strive to ensure that 93 per cent of users, regardless of their abilities, can effectively respond to our machines. This could involve designing a handle that is ergonomically appropriate for both small and large hands. It may also involve using language and colours in our products to educate users on how to take care of their machines. This approach is embedded right from the start of our design process.

As many as 60 per cent of Indian consumers believe that toilets are the primary harbourers of viruses, compared to areas such as mattresses and pets (approximately 26 and 23 per cent, respectively). (Image: Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

Based on the Dyson Global Dust study, what are the three key findings about Indian households?

One notable finding is the awareness among Indian households about the presence of viruses in dust and the potential harm they can cause to health and well-being. However, there is a lack of spontaneous awareness regarding the composition of dust, including allergens, and where the dust is located inside the home. Interestingly, 60 per cent of Indian consumers believe that toilets are the primary harbourers of viruses, compared to areas such as mattresses and pets (approximately 26 and 23 per cent, respectively).

People tend to associate these areas with a higher concentration of dust and allergens. However, when we consider where consumers spend most of their time, it is not necessarily these areas. It is important to reflect on whether we clean these off-the-floor surfaces frequently. This finding is particularly interesting from the perspective of the Dust study in India.

Do you foresee Dyson products expanding across the Indian consumer base?

The Dyson Global Study this year revealed that there is a strong awareness among Indians of the importance of healthier homes. In fact, 61 per cent of respondents believe that vacuum cleaners are one of the most effective ways to clean their homes. This demonstrates a growing desire for more effective ways to clean and manage the wellness and health of their homes.

Beyond its line of vacuum cleaners, do you think the Dyson Global Dust study can influence change on a larger scale?

Dyson has always been a pioneer in raising awareness and providing education on various topics, whether it is air quality or dust found in people’s homes. What is crucial is that we utilise the information to educate users about what is important to them and what we are targeting in terms of emissions as well. We cannot comment on how third-party institutions will utilise the data, but it is important for us to share it to increase awareness.

How is the Dyson V15 Detect different?

The Dyson V15 Detect is equipped with our most advanced hygiene and intelligent features. One notable feature is a sensor that can characterise and count dust particles as they enter the machine. This information is then relayed back to the user, providing scientific proof of a deep clean. Additionally, the sensor enables the machine to intelligently react and provide a deeper clean in heavily soiled areas.

Some interesting findings from the study:

1. More than 50 per cent of Indians clean their mirror glass, TV screen, under the bed, and the area under and behind sofas.

2. Fewer than 40 per cent include cleaning kitchen cabinets as part of their cleaning routine.

3. As many as 40 per cent of Indians are not cleaning under their beds on a regular basis, and only 14 per cent feel it is an area that is should be cleaned frequently.

Based on the latest study, one in two Indians are aware of the presence of viruses in dust and they believe the most important reason to remove dust from home is to ensure that everyone in the family stays healthy. Another key finding revealed that more than 80 per cent of Indians are unaware that viruses can stay on surfaces for over two days. As many as 83 percent of Indians acknowledge that high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are the most powerful type of vacuum filter to eliminate dust, allergens and viruses.