Do you wipe the toilet seat before use?
@lordwarwizard (35747)
Singapore
November 15, 2007 12:35pm CST
This may be a too-personal topic for some but I hope we can all be mature about this and discuss it adult-ily.
I am not talking about using the bathroom at home. Rather, I am referring to public toilets. Public toilet bowls are in public toilets and they are, well, public. They are sat on by a flood of people and we don't know how clean their b***s are. :P
For me, I always make sure to wipe the seat clean before I sit on it. In fact, if the seat is impossibly dirty i.e. cannot be redeemed by a "simple" wipe, I rather look elsewhere or ask Mama Nature to wait.
The rational bit of me knows that a dry wipe using the available toilet paper probably isn't going to do any good killing the bacteria on the seat. But regardless of how clean the seat looks, I still perform a perfunctory wipe. I just can't stand dirty things lol.
What about you? Do you wipe the toilet seat before use? Do you bring a detachable seat along so that you can just fix it (lol)? Do you bring your special brand of germ-killing wipes/sprays? Do you squat on the seat (*gasp*)? Or... ? Do share your thoughts. =)
17 people like this
88 responses
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
17 Nov 07
If the toilet seat looks wet, I will wipe it. If it looks as if it has just been cleaned (the cleaning lady just left) I will not wipe it. If it looks as if someone forgot to flush the toilet, I will wipe the toilet seat. I do not have any cleaning solution with me, so I just use toilet paper and I do not want my tena pads to get soaked through and I do not want to buy Poise Panties so when I have to go, I have to go and cannot wait until I get home, so there.
2 people like this
@irene_27 (542)
• Philippines
16 Nov 07
As much as possible i avoid going into public restrooms. when i'm out of the house for most of the day i try to limit my liquid intake just so i won't have to pee in public toilets. For those unavoidable times that i really have to, i'd go into newly established shopping malls because restrooms there are clean and well-maintained. Even then i still squat while doing my thing and make sure to wash my hands with the available hand soap and water.
2 people like this
@SViswan (12051)
• India
16 Nov 07
I know it's not going to do much good, but I do wipe the seat with a tissue before and AFTER I use it. I also try not to really sit on the toilet. But an article I read recently said that it isn't the toilet but the door handles that you should be wary of and not touch. Apparently, the door handles contain more bacteria than the toilet.
lol...now I should be using a tissue to open and close the door, I guess. I'm going to look so silly doing that.
2 people like this
@sumofalltears (3988)
• United States
15 Nov 07
I seldom use public toilets, but when I do I use the pull out liners or I cover the seat with toilet paper. Oftentimes if I am going out somewhere that I may use a public toilet I will carry some spray sanitizer for the seat. In todays world you cannot be to safe. Man will never conquer all the errant germs in the world, so it is up to us not to leave the door open to invasion. I don't like being sick so I will take every precaution in the book. I'm not a fanatic, but just extra careful, I only have a few years left and would like to enjoy them if at all possible...:}
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
15 Nov 07
Spray sanitizer... hmm...
Not a hot products in the stores here (I think).
1 person likes this
@blueinferno2001 (100)
• Indonesia
16 Nov 07
i don't wipe. if germs can penetrate your b**t's skin (which as far as i know is the thickest human skin), then they would easily penetrate your hand thgrough the things you use to wipe. i usually splash'em with water (if available) and leave the rest to the Almighty. i can't imagine hovering... numbs my feet :D
2 people like this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
16 Nov 07
I prefer not to use public toilets at all. I would rather go in the parking lot beside my car!
If I have to use one it is almost always a traumatic experience though, as they are usually filthy. Sometimes I have to straddle the seat and aim for the water, but I don't even care if it gets all over the already disgustingly wet seat.
Sometimes I use two or three of those paper seat covers, and other times, on the rare occasion that it's a clean looking bathroom I don't even bother to do anything except sit down on it. I am not too paranoid about germs actually.
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
16 Nov 07
Are toilets in the states that dirty? Enough for the visit to be traumatic? :P
1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
16 Nov 07
Well, Walmart on a busy day... absolutely traumatic, a couple of the malls I used to water plants at... traumatic, a few of the gas stations I've had to visit, ditto. I can't vouch for the rest.
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
29 Nov 07
I try not to use public bathrooms, but on the rare occasional I do, Yes I try to wipe it down. But as you say doesn't really help out alot if they are a bacteria or some type of disease on there. I think that all restrooms that are used by the public should have bacteria wipes in each bathroom stall so the toilet seat can be wiped thoroughly before use. It would cut back on alot of germs being transferred. Or if they made little germ packet wipes that were easy to use and have access to because I doubt if people carry a big thing of clorox or lysol bacteria wipes around..detachable seat? are they such a thing? If I tried to squat I'd end up peeing down my leg or on my clothes squatting just doesn't work out to good for me. I do carry hand sanitizer in my purse though..I guess that would work cleaning of a toilet seat..
1 person likes this
@spiritwolf52 (2300)
•
21 Nov 07
I try to avoid using public restrooms. There have been times when the need was too great to ignore though. I usually inspect the stalls. Open the door, and lo and behold, there is a brown mess. If there is another one empty, then I will try my luck on the next one. hmmm, someone forgot to flush. How can people be such pigs? The last one, it seems ok. I carry anti-bacterial wipes with me all the time just in case. I always clean the seat first as there are usually some spots left over from the person before me. However, I still hover. Mother always told me to never sit on public toilet seats and I never do.
1 person likes this
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
15 Nov 07
Oh wizard nothing is all that personal i do not mind at all...When i am at a public bathroom i sometime use those little white seat covers that they supply for you, so i use those..but not all public rest rooms uses them so I just usually squit a little and sorta stand up and use it, but i do not sit down on the seat.I have never had any disease and do not plan on catching one behind a public toilet.Just the smell of some of those public toilets tell you not everyone is clean...Sometimes if i have to do more than a tinkle i will roll off toilet paper and line the seat really good..I had dirty things to and awful smells just gag me..I also wash my hands really well when leaving and i do not touch any handles on the way out...Another thing do not think because you are in a hospital that their toilets are clean, in fact that is the worst place to pick up (dirty) Lol
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
16 Nov 07
Geez, why don't we have those nice little covers here? *sniff*
@sophylline (1041)
• Philippines
21 Nov 07
When I need to use the public toilet, I do not touch anything there. And when I flush I use my foot, of course with shoes on. I certainly would not touch the toilet bowl and not even wipe them. I would just make a sitting motion but not actually touching my bum to the toilet bowl. It is kind of tiring but you have to do what you have to do.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
16 Nov 07
If you are all sharing, everyone should play his part keeping the toilet clean during and after use.:)
@Nykkee (2522)
• Canada
15 Nov 07
I always do my best not to make any type of contact with the toilet seat in a public restroom. I do the floating-pee things, where you try to hover your butt above the toilet seat so you don't tuch anything. This ususally causes splatter, so I do wipe the seat when I am done, but my butt never touches it. Eww.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
17 Nov 07
See, you have found three people already who hover. I bet they have gorgeous thighs from the exercise. I was going to say more but I will leave it at that. It seems a good way to practice some squats for the legs and behind. It is so hard to say the words that do not get us flagged by the authorities.
@poohgal (6845)
• Singapore
21 Nov 07
YES! It's a must for me! I am someone who visits the toilet very often as I am a 'Shui Tong'. LOL Toilet cleanliness is of utmost importance to me.
I'll not enter a toilet cubicle with no toilet roll and when I do not have any tissue paper with me. Tissue is one of the best invention in the world. Without which, bad hygiene can be a BIG problem. I'll usually wipe the toilet bowl seat, then I'll spread a few sheets on the toilet bowl for me to sit on.
Most Singapore public toilets are considered quite clean. I do not have to hold my bladder because of the inability to find clean toilets.
It's usually a torture for me to go to countries or cities with no or little clean toilets. Usually I'll drink less water (a torture for me as I am a 'shui tong') in the hope that I will not have to visit the toilet less often.
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
15 Nov 07
Hi Lord,
Well I try my best to avoid using a public toilet if at all possible. lol The womens restrooms are always more dirty than a mans. In some instances I have used the mens restroom, cos when you gotta go, you GOTTA GO!
These days some restrooms are supplied with disposable paper covers to place over the seat. People love them, cos a lot of times, they are empty! So if one of those is not available, then I will take quite a bit of toilet paper fold it several times and sort of line the seat with it. If I dont have time for this, I squat and yes if I get pee on the seat, I will wipe it off! lol
For me, anything other than peeing is restricted to my own home. That will have to wait!
Bay Lay Gray xx
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
16 Nov 07
But it's weird, isn't it? Given how men were "supposed" to be more inconsiderate. :P
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
16 Nov 07
Yes I guess for a man that is a bit odd. Its also refreshing, to know that a man feels this same way. Most men are slobs and rely on a woman to keep things up to par. If you arent married already, your going to make a great hubby one day. hehe
Bay xx
@shelagh77 (3643)
•
16 Nov 07
This is actually a very sensible discussion and although it is a personal question, good toilet hygiene saves lives.
I used to squat over the thing when I was more agile but now I have to use the seat - and wretched cold it can be in winter too!
However, I always carry a pack of wipes with me, they are not disinfected but they are good, and I use those and then a clean tissue from my bag.
Then I wash my hands really well when I come out as a lot of people have rather unclean habits and they touch the handle! I am thinking of investing in a handbag sized spray which you can use on your hands, for extra safety.
Sensibly thinking though, it is also best to wash hands before eating any finger food/burgers etc because those people with the nasty habits and who also do not wash their hands use those same hands to push open doors, handle packets of food in supermarkets - I could go on but I am sure your imagination is already turning you green!
Thank you for making people think!
1 person likes this
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
19 Nov 07
as much as possible I wipe the seat first before sitting on it. I don't like sitting on wet surfaces nor my bu++ touching such because it just feels icky. so I always try to bring tissue paper whenever I'm going out. but on occasions when I forgot to, I would sit on the dry part of the seat even if its on the sides but if there's no dry part, I would squat and endure the pain in my legs. ^__^;;
1 person likes this
@sarahkskeeters (235)
• United States
16 Nov 07
I forgot to mention that one thing I really like, that I am seeing more and more of, are self-flushing toilets and faucets and soap/paper towel dispensers that you don't have to touch. They are motion activated. These types of restrooms, where you really don't have to touch anything at all, make me feel much better about using a public bathroom. It seems like more and more new buildings are putting them in and I've even seen a few older buildings that have remodeled using these types of toilets and sinks. Yesterday I took my daughter to the local mall and had to change her diaper (now THAT is one thing I absolutely hate doing in a public restroom!) but it was one of these "no-touch" restrooms and I was really impressed. I was able to get her changed and wash both of our hands without touching hardly anything and the bathroom seemed *very* clean. It was a pleasant surprise.
1 person likes this
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
20 Nov 07
Would you believe me if I say I will wash it? Seated toilets bowls are never my preference. I go for squat ones to spare myself of the ardious task. Forget about wiping, bringing a detachable seat, or even wet wipes. visit the ones in hotels. Somehow I believe more in hotels. The toilet seats are cleaner to wipe in the first place.
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
20 Nov 07
Do you bring along your luggage case each time you step out of your house? :P
@steele4real (107)
• United States
19 Nov 07
This discussion is hillarious and gave me a good laugh. Personally, i have a phobia of going number 2 on any public toilet seat. I simply wait until i get back home.
1 person likes this
