Style clinic

Dear Style Clinic

My children, aged seven and four, seem to be losing their enthusiasm for handwashing. What can I do? PS, the seven-year-old is struggling to get to sleep, too?

As the lockdown continues, I think we are all in danger of taking less care with handwashing, not just the little ones. It’s the same with sleep, as our usual routines are forgotten with time blurring at the edges.

The remedy? Now is a good time to inject a bit of fun and thoughtfulness into our daily chores and rituals. Bloom & Blossom, sold in supermarkets and online, has a range of products created especially for children and themed with Roald Dahl characters. The Twits Wicked Hand Wash, £3, is scented with green tea and eucalyptus and smells heavenly, certain to encourage both children and grown-ups to wash hands frequently and keep going for at least 20 seconds. Matilda’s Magical Pillow Spray contains the relaxing scent of sweet orange, eucalyptus, bergamot, satsuma, lavender and patchouli. Use after the nightly bedtime story to encourage your child to sleep.

Yope also does some really lovely natural hand washes designed to appeal to little ones, while the fragrances have the feelgood factor we so need right now, when moments matter so much.

For those times when hand washing is difficult, a sanitiser spray is an essential option, and Dr Bronner’s has just launched a Peppermint Organic Hand Hygiene Spray, certified organic and fair trade, with an active ingredient, ethyl alcohol, 99.9 per cent effective against germs. The peppermint oil gives an instant tingling and uplifting hit that children will love.