The hygiene mistakes many make in public bathrooms

The hygiene mistakes many make in public bathrooms

Whether in shopping centers, service stations, restaurants and airports, you certainly have needed to use a public bathroom. These can be places responsible for various diseases and it is best to be careful. Know the mistakes many people make in these toilets.

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21/07/2026
by

Adriano Guerreiro

ANDvita public bathrooms? They may be germ - and - bacteria - filled spaces and some attention is needed when using them. The best thing is to know the hygiene errors that most people make when using public homes. You may be at risk of getting infections or other problems.

 

The Health Digest website has spoken to some experts to realize some of the mistakes many people make when using public bathrooms, whether from restaurants, shopping centers, service stations and even airports.

Hygiene errors in public bathrooms

They reveal that they are mistakes that can be made in the first few minutes as soon as they enter these spaces. Meet them.

1- Touch the autoclisms and benches

The website cites a 2025 study that revealed that benches and autoclisms are from the dirtiest places in public bathrooms. Microbiologist Nidhi Ghildayal suggests using a paper, napkin or handkerchief to flush.

Read Also: From shoes to taps: 10 things you can clean with toothpaste

2- Leave your personal belongings on the floor

The same study revealed that there is a large amount of E.Coli in the public bathrooms. So you should avoid putting bags on the floor or even on countertops. The expert suggests using hooks that may exist, the door handle, or even asking someone to hold it.

3- Wash hands quickly

The best thing is to do hand hygiene the best way and not wash them quickly or leave without washing them at all. They suggest that you should at least do it for 20 seconds. “Given the importance of hand washing in preventing infectious diseases, the risk is high. Improving hand hygiene can help improve everyone’s health,” says doctor Robert H. Hopkins Jr.

4- Pull the flush without being ready to leave

Pulling the flush is spreading a lot of germs. So the best thing is that you don't stay in the cabin too long when you do. The ideal is to be ready to leave and only then to pull. 

5- Use mobile phone

Using your phone is increasing the risk of contamination through this device. “Takeing your phone to the bathroom and going out with it is like going in, not washing your hands and leaving without washing your hands,” explained public health specialist Emily Martin. He ends up carrying germs and bacteria everywhere.

Make a note! 7 things you should never wash with cold water in the machine

The water temperature in the washing machine influences the effectiveness of cleaning. Although many parts can be washed cold, there are cases where hot water is essential to remove difficult stains, eliminate bacteria and ensure greater hygiene in very dirty or used tissues in specific situations.

Mariline Direito Rodrigues

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