Public Toilet Use Guide for Better Hygiene

Step 1: Open the door with tissue paper or use hand sanitizer

As soon as you enter the wash room, the first thing that you do is open the door. The door handle is one of the common hot spots for malicious germs making you susceptible to various diseases.
Hence, use of a hand sanitizer or tissue paper while opening the door to the toilet is highly recommended, to minimize the risk of getting germs.

Step 2: Clean the toilet seat with toilet paper
Look at the toilet seat first after entering, and if needed, use toilet paper to wipe off the cover.
You can also use toilet seat covers (available at pharmacies in tiny packs). These are easy-on the pocket and can be carried easily in your handbag.

Step 3: Hover over the toilet seat (optional)
If you are uncomfortable in sitting on the toilet seat or feel the risk of catching any infection, hover closely above the seat.
This measure might come to your rescue, when you have no other choice but to use a toilet with dirty or wet surfaces.

Step 4: Use toilet paper to press flush button
Since most people push the flush button or handle after they are done, the chances of microbes on the toilet handle are considerably high.
Hence, use a piece of toilet paper to push the flush button and then dispose the paper into the flush.

Step 5: Exit the place quickly, after flushing
Another important fact is that the possibility of numerous air-borne micro-organisms coming out of the flush is relatively high. These germs reach the respiratory tract and may infect your air passage leading to throat infections.
So after you flush out, face away from the flushing toilet and quickly leave the place. Another option is to put down the lid of the toilet seat with the help of toilet paper and throw the paper into the dustbin.

Step 6: Use toilet paper to open the door
It goes without saying that the inside handle of the toilet door has more germs attached to it than the outside latch.
So, it is always advised to use a piece of toilet paper to open the door and dispose it in the bin immediately.

Step 7: Wash your hands without fail
The next yet most important step is to wash your hands the right way. This is because, almost one-third of infectious diseases can be eliminated by proper hand washing.
The refillable hand washing solutions (soap dispensers)are better than soaps as the chances of germs spreading from one person to other is high in case of reusable soaps.

Step 8: Use tissue papers to wipe your hands
Although hand dryers have become quite popular in recent times, experts believe that use of tissue paper to wipe your hands is the most effective way.
It is mainly because hand dryers do not clean your hands properly and the supply of hot air from these dryers actually helps the bacteria to thrive rather than eliminate them.

Step 9: Finally, use a hand sanitizer
Remember that the inner handle of the main door is also loaded with many infectious organisms. Hence, you can use a hand sanitizer as an extra precaution after you are done with washing and drying your hands, as it provides protection against bacteria.
Another safe option is to use a small piece of tissue paper to open the door. This way the chances of getting germs are far more reduced.

These steps are common for people using a western-style toilet (as they are commonly seen in the public toilets). However in case the public toilet is Indian style, most of these steps are eliminated. more