Don’t be that guy (or girl).
Peer pressure: It’s a bad thing among vaping teens, but can work wonders among health-conscious adults. Take a 2009 study finding that post-potty handwashing increased most when bathroom-goers were prompted to see if the people next to them were washing their hands. Perhaps you’ve been inspired (or guilt-tripped) into purportedly healthy habits too, whether it’s wiping down that mat after yoga class or choosing filtered water over tap. But do you really need to? Experts weigh in.
Do you really need to wash your hands after using the bathroom?
Yes. Apparently, this answer bears repeating. A 2013 study in the Journal of Environmental Health observing 3,749 people’s post-toilet patterns found that 10 percent skipped the sink, 33 percent forewent the soap and nearly everyone else didn’t lather long enough. That’s not good, since handwashing is one of the most effective ways to avoidgetting ourselves or others sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To make it worth it, scrub for at least 20 seconds – enough time to sing “Happy Birthday to You” twice – before reaching for a towel, the CDC suggests.
Do you really need to use hand sanitizer?
If there’s no soap, hand sanitizer is your next best bet, according to the CDC, which recommends looking for an alcohol-based option with at least 60 percent alcohol in order to quickly kill some – but not all – germs. “Washing your hands is better,” says Dr. Ranella Hirsch, a dermatologist in Boston, “but [hand sanitizer is] often the only option, and better than nothing.”
Do you really need to put that sheet of paper over the toilet seat?
“If it makes you feel better,” says Melissa Hawkins, director of the public health scholars program at American University, who’s an expert in biostatistics, behavioral health and community health. “The toilet seats are not a vehicle for the transmission of any infectious agents, though.” It’s better to use a paper towel to cover up your contact with the faucet handles and bathroom doorknob, she says.
