10 Tips for Women To Use Public Toilets Safely

By Bhumika Chitkara

Most of us are quite reluctant when it comes to using public toilets! The reason is very obvious as these washrooms are not very safe to visit. You must have all the questions like who could have used it before me or did they clean it or not or are public toilets safe to sit on? These questions are very valid and we all go through the same thing. Be it the smell of these toilets, the looks of it or the fear of contracting an infection, most of us avoid using them until absolutely necessary. But not all situations are avoidable! Be it a trip or an emergency, one has to use these restrooms despite how we feel about it. While most of them are regularly cleaned, doubts like are public toilets safe or can public toiletts cause infection still remains. So, being safe while using public toilets is in our hands. There are some tips to keep in mind to use these toilets safely ,avoid infections and other public toilet problems as much as possible!

Here are some tips you can keep in mind:

Avoid using public toilets as much as possible:

While holding your urine is never advisable, we understand that using a public toilet can be a nightmare. Public restrooms can be a home to several bacterias and viruses which can cause infections. So, avoiding public washrooms as much as possible is the best way to go about it! If you are close to your house, wait till you reach home. In case you are out for the whole day or on a vacation, try to avoid carbonated beverages or drinks that make you urinate more. Use the washroom right before leaving your house, wait for some time and urinate again. 

Less is more:

You must have often heard people say ‘less is more.’ We say it too when it comes to using public toilets. Spend as little time as possible in the public toilets as the chances of contracting infections increases with every second you spend there. Avoid taking your mobile phones inside the toilets as you touch the screen of the mobile phone with the same fingers you use to touch other places in the toilet and end up using it for the whole day without cleaning the screen!

Sanitise the seat before sitting:

As you enter a public toilet make sure to carry a sanitizer or a  disinfectant with you. Spray it in the air as and on the toilet seat as soon as you step in, wait for a few seconds and then use it. This will ensure that you don’t breathe or get in touch with any kinds bacterias and viruses. Disinfecting the places you are most likely to get in touch with like door knobs and taps is also a smart idea! 

Masks up, infections down:

Make sure you wear a face mask properly before entering a public toilet. Cover your mouth properly with a face mask and don’t forget to cover your nose too! After you wear a mask make sure you don’t touch it until you wash or sanitise your hands after using the toilet. No in between touching the mask or your face! It is also advisable to get rid of the mask you used inside. So, ensure that you have extra disposable masks with you at all times. 

Squat and urinate:

Squat and urinate? You must be wondering what all we want you to go through! Tough but true! Time to get all those  gym flashbacks when we all struggled for getting our first squat right. Look for Indian toilets as your first priority and if you can’t try squatting above the western toilet seat as above it as you can! This will save you from getting in direct contact with the toilet seats. 

Avoid putting your luggage on the floor:

Not just public toilets, any public place in general can be a home to various bacterias and infections! Try not to put your bags, phones, wallets or any accessory that you carry on the floor of a public toilet. You can have someone you know hold it for you while you are inside. If that is not an option, hold your luggage yourself and make sure to sanitise everything properly once you are out. 

Flush and rush:

Be prepared to do some cardio once you are done freshening up! Flushing can throw a lot of germs in the air which can land up everywhere so make sure you get out of the washroom as soon as you flush it. To avoid that, you can use flush with the lid closed! That will save you from all the germs flying out and of course running! 

Avoid touching things as much as possible:

We understand that using a toilet will require us to touch at least a few things. To avoid getting in direct contact, cover your hands with disposable gloves or anything clean that can be immediately disposed of after using it. If that is not possible, try avoiding touching things after washing or sanitising your hands. Try using something like your elbows or shoes to open or unlock the door. 

Wash or sanitise your hands immediately after using public toilets:

This is something very basic yet EXTREMELY IMPORTANT! Wash, wash and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after you are done using the bathroom. Sanitising your hands is also an option but only when you don’t have soap or water available near you. Nowadays, toilets have automatic sensor taps or foot operated taps to avoid physical contact as much as possible. 

Do not use the dryer to dry your hands:

We often get excited on seeing the hand dryers in the public restrooms! But the reality is we should avoid using these hand dryers to dry our hands! This is because dryers inside the washrooms trap a lot of germs and expel them on our hands as soon as we use them. Try to use tissues or your own handkerchief or towel instead of using the dryers to dry your hands.