The One Public Restroom Mistake That Could Make You Sick, According to a Germ Expert
Public restrooms: the necessary evil of modern life. Whether you’re at a concert, a shopping mall, or just out for a stroll, sooner or later, nature calls and you’re forced to confront the sights, smells, and questionable hygiene of a communal toilet. But what if I told you that the real danger lurking in these tiled chambers isn’t what you think? According to microbiologist Jason Tetro, there’s one thing you should never do in a public restroom—and it’s not what your mother warned you about.
The Myth of the Dirty Toilet Seat
Let’s start with the classic fear: the toilet seat. We’ve all seen people perform acrobatics to avoid touching it, layering it with toilet paper or hovering precariously above. But Tetro, author of The Germ Files, says this is largely unnecessary. “We do see potentially some low level of all sorts of different types of bacteria and viruses that could potentially cause an infection, but the reality is, unless you have a cut, then there’s really no opportunity for that to get into your skin to cause a problem,” he explains.
In other words, unless you’re sitting down with an open wound, the seat itself is unlikely to make you sick. In fact, Tetro points out that studies from the 1970s found toilet seats to be relatively clean—at least in controlled environments with lids. And that’s where the real issue begins.
The Poo Plume Problem
Most public toilets don’t have lids. This seemingly minor detail has major consequences. When you flush, a “poo plume”—a spray of droplets and aerosol particles—can shoot up to six feet out of the bowl. These droplets can contain E. coli, salmonella, norovirus, and other nasties, especially if the previous occupant was unwell.
“Every time I talk about toilet seats and toilets, I’m always saying, ‘Well, it’s not germy — everything is germier than a toilet seat,’” Tetro told us. “[I’m basing that on] studies that were done back in the 1970s and controlled laboratory environments that were mimicking the home… [but those toilets] also had a lid.”
Without a lid, there’s nothing to contain the plume. Tetro notes that about 50% of public restroom toilet seats at any given time have some kind of poo germs on them, in the range of hundreds of particles. But again, the seat isn’t the main concern—it’s the air you’re breathing and the surfaces those droplets land on.
The One Thing You Should Never Do
So, what’s the cardinal sin of public restroom use? According to Tetro, it’s lingering in the stall after you flush. “Make sure that you kind of get out of the stall for 30 seconds to let whatever was aerosol or the droplets to fall and then you can go back in,” he advises. This is especially important if you’re flushing before you use the toilet to get a “fresh” bowl—don’t stand there and inhale the aftermath.
Why is this so important?
If the previous user was carrying norovirus or a particularly nasty strain of E. coli, the plume could contain enough particles to make you sick. The droplets can land in your mouth or nose, especially if you’re standing close to a powerful flusher. “So if you’re gonna go for the clean or for the fresh bowl, make sure that your face is nowhere near that plume,” Tetro warns.
Other Public Restroom Pitfalls
While the toilet seat gets a bad rap, Tetro says the germiest part of a public restroom is often something else entirely. (He didn’t specify in this excerpt, but other experts often point to faucet handles, door handles, and hand dryers as major culprits.) If there’s no soap available, you’re in a tough spot—hand sanitizer can help, but it’s not a perfect substitute for a good scrub.
How to Stay Safe (and Sane)
- Flush and Flee: Don’t hang around after flushing. Give the plume time to settle before re-entering the stall.
- Don’t Fear the Seat: Unless you have an open wound, sitting down is unlikely to harm you.
- Wash Your Hands: This remains the single best way to protect yourself from germs.
- Be Wary of Surfaces: Faucet handles, door knobs, and other high-touch areas can harbor bacteria and viruses.
The Bottom Line
Public restrooms will never be anyone’s favorite place, but understanding the real risks can help you navigate them with confidence. The next time you’re faced with a lidless toilet, remember: it’s not the seat you need to worry about—it’s the invisible cloud that follows a flush. Flush and flee, wash your hands, and you’ll be just fine.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is entirely my opinion.
Source: The One Thing You Should Never Do In A Public Restroom, According To A Germ Expert, https://www.buzzfeed.com/rajpunjabi/public-restroom-toilet-sc
