How to Sanitize a Public Toilet

Using a public toilet when traveling can be a harrowing experience. Toilet seats are a haven for germs and disease, such as pubic lice, scabies, E. coli, staph and more. You should always try to sanitize a public toilet before using it. Though you cannot completely protect yourself from germs, some of these suggestions for sanitizing a public toilet can help.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sanitizing wipes
• Paper or plastic toilet seat covers

1. Cover the toilet with strips of toilet paper before you sit down. It is not a complete safe guard against disease and germs because the paper can slip or tear, but it is definitely better than nothing. Try to sit down carefully or squat over the toilet seat.

2. Purchase disposable paper toilet seat covers. Many public places do not supply toilet seat covers of any type. Instead of having to squat over the toilet or cover it with toilet paper, use one of these handy paper covers, which come in easy to carry pouches.

3. Consider plastic toilet seat covers. CleanSleeve produces this type of cover, which comes with a zip travel bag that fits into your purse or glove compartment. The sleeves completely cover the toilet seat top and bottom, creating a water-proof barrier to guard against E. coli, staph and other infectious diseases.

4. Use sanitizing wipes. If you must touch the toilet lid or seat, wipe it down with a disposable sanitizing wipe. These wipes come in travel packets and can fit in your purse or pocket.

Tips & Warnings

• Always remember to use a sanitizing wipe when flushing the toilet. The flush handle carries many germs. The same holds true for door handles.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with hot, soapy water before and after using a public toilet. If no sink is available, use hand sanitizer.
• Do not sit on a bare toilet seat in a public restroom.

Resources

• Purchase toilet seat covers and sanitizing wipes from drugstore.com.
• Learn more about guarding against germs in public areas at safetycentral.com.
• Read about plastic Sani-Seats from cleanseats.com.

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[jamwocky]

on 8/24/2009 The sanitizing wipes are the best bet- you can never seem to keep the seat cover from slipping and just feeling really weird.

Then, always have hand sanitizer in your bag...wash hands thoroughly and HAND SANTIZE.

Carry your own squirt soap as well and it always helps to have some tissues with you, just in case

[dtrew]

on 5/20/2009 Don't bother with the pieces of toilet paper on the toilet. It is almost impossible to get sick from sitting on a toilet seat. Worry instead about keeping your purse off the floor and washingy our hands properly.

[annieanakin]

on 5/18/2009 public anything breeds many many germs and disease. I see alot of people not wash hands when leaving,so I always use caution in a public facility and also on shopping carts,kids sneeze,germs are just waiting for a HOST!!!!

[MagickMomma]

on 5/12/2009 Hahaha Haoie, you can't SEE germs.... Also, use paper towels to open the door when you're done washing, that's what I always do. OR if you don't have them, use a part of your shirt or sleeve. Its better then nothing! haha

[archip99]

on 5/11/2009 I totally agreed your advices