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If not cleaned properly and consistently, toilets can be the dirtiest and most disgusting places… especially public toilets—they are used by many, resulting in accumulation of bacteria and viruses.
However, it’s not easy avoiding visits to public toilets because when nature calls, nature calls. So, for all those times that you have to pop into one, remember these:
- Use the cleanest stall
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Always choose the stall that looks the cleanest. It tends to be the one farthest from the door.
- Don’t put your things on the floor
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Microbes and dirt from shoes will be transferred to your things, and then your hands when you touch them. Hang your bag behind the door instead.
- Sit, don’t squat
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Wipe the toilet seat with tissue beforehand or use a disposable toilet seat protector. Sitting keeps your urine where it should be, inside the toilet bowl. This improves environmental hygiene and helps keep things clean.
- Flush smart
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The flush button has a tonne of bacteria. People tend to touch it before they wash their hands, and the water from the flush gets sprayed into the air, spreading germs onto surfaces nearby.
So, wrap your finger with toilet paper before hitting the flush button. Then, throw the tissue in the bin, and quickly exit the stall.
- Wash your hands
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Use soap and hold your hands under the water for at least 20 seconds. If you used your phone in the toilet, don’t forget to disinfect.
- Dry your hands with a paper towel
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Microbes thrive in humid and hot environments. Most toilets have a machine with paper towels. Make sure you have a new towel in your hands.
- Don’t touch the door handle without a paper towel/toilet paper
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Door handles are also breeding ground for bacteria. Think about how often they’re touched in a day. Wrap the handle with paper, and after leaving the room, immediately throw the paper in the bin.
Ultimately, public toilets won’t kill you. While they can definitely be icky, if you keep your hands and your things clean, you’ll be alright. Invest in some hand sanitiser if you’re still a little worried.
Article via BrightSide
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