How to Use a Public Restroom Without Toilet Seat Contact

Public restrooms are no fun to visit, especially if you worry about germs. Wet toilet seats, dirty toilet paper and lack of disinfectant are enough to make the typical germ-phobe hyperventilate, but even if you're usually laid back about hygiene, you may worry about catching diseases. Learning to use a public restroom without sitting on the toilet is a skill that comes in handy.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Build your glute muscles by doing squats every day. The ability to hold your body suspended above a public toilet for up to several minutes won't come easily if your glutes are not adequately strong, so practice is necessary. Try to do 50 squats a day. Start with sets of 10 with breaks until you're strong enough to do 50 in a row.

2. Choose your public restroom wisely. Hotel lobbies and upscale restaurants tend to have cleaner restrooms than subways and malls. While you will be avoiding toilet seat contact, it's still best to choose the cleanest public restroom near you.

3. Choose the cleanest toilet stall available, unless you are waiting in line, in which case the only polite option is to take the first one that opens up. Use provided toilet seat covers or line seat with toilet paper in case you cannot maintain your squat.

4. Pull pants or skirt and underwear all the way down to mid-calf to avoid spraying, but don't let them get so low that they are draping the bathroom floor. Then squat directly above the toilet before doing your business. If you are not centered, your aim could stray in unwanted directions.

5. Wipe while still in squatting position to prevent getting waste on clothes or other parts of your body.

6. Ensure toilet seat has remained clean during your use before you exit the stall. Wipe it down if it has become dirty. Wash hands thoroughly with very warm water and soap.

Resources

• Read reviews of popular public restrooms.

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[dizzyhips]

on 2/2/2008 Thanks for the article. It at least starts the topic. However I don't recommend people do this on a regular basis. It can lead to colon and general digestive system problems. I will out line my method, which I believe is much healthier, ergonomic and less prone to skinners!

[SouthernCharm]

on 11/6/2007 Good article.
May I also add that you should never flush a toilet with your hand.
Flush with your shoe.
All family members should also remove shoes before
coming inside the home.
Bathroom floors are loaded with "germs" that you don't want inside your home.