How to Stay Safe and Healthy When Using a Public Bathroom

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Stay as germ-free as possible while using a public toilet

Co-authored by Chris M. Matsko, MD and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: October 21, 2024 Fact Checked

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How to Avoid Germs in a Public Bathroom

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How to Safely Use a Public Bathroom if You’re Gender-nonconforming

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

It’s completely valid if public bathrooms give you the ick—they definitely carry their fair share of germs and can seem like a necessary evil when you’re traveling or otherwise on the go. In this article, we’ve outlined some of the best tricks and trips to help you use a public restroom as hygienically as possible.

Things You Should Know

Use a clean-looking business’s restroom when possible, rather than using a busier, more germ-infested one (like an airport’s).
Pick the bathroom stall that’s closest to the door, since it may be a little less germy than the other stalls.
Wash your hands thoroughly after using the restroom and do your best not to touch anything during your visit.

Section 1 of 2:

How to Avoid Germs in a Public Bathroom

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1
Pick a business that looks relatively clean. Sure, all public bathrooms are germ-infested to some extent—but some places are definitely cleaner than others. If you have multiple options to choose from, opt for a place like a cafe or coffee shop that gets less traffic and has cleaner bathrooms than a more bustling place (like a mall restroom, airport restroom, etc.).
- Some places might require you to buy something before you use the restroom.
- Hospitals could be a good bet, since they likely disinfectant their facilities frequently.
2
Only touch things if you really need to. You’ll need to touch the door handle to get in the bathroom, along with the stall latch (and possibly the soap dispenser and faucet), but try not to touch any other surfaces unless you absolutely have to.
- Surfaces in public bathrooms can carry a variety of different bacteria.^{[1]
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3
Slide into the stall closest to the entrance. According to certain research, people naturally gravitate toward centrally-aligned items, like a bathroom stall. Because of this mentality, the stall that neighbors the entrance is a little less germ-ridden than the others. Choose this one when you step in the bathroom if you’re a big stickler about staying clean.^{[2]
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- Warning: Don’t put any of your belongings on the bathroom floor, if possible. Instead, use the provided hook on the stall door (if there is one).
4
Clean off the seat before using it. As icky as it is, check and see if the previous person left any urine on the seat. Using a big wad of toilet paper, carefully wipe it up and toss it in the toilet without physically touching the seat.
- Contrary to popular belief, sitting directly on the toilet is generally more sanitary than squatting or standing in a bathroom stall.
5
Close your toilet before flushing, if possible. Lidless toilets are infamous for filling the air with tiny particles after being flushed.^{[3]
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Go to source} If your public restroom toilet happens to have a lid, close it before flushing to prevent this from happening.
- If the toilet is automatic, try to shut it as soon as you get up from using the toilet.
- If the toilet has a manual handle, grab it with a sheet of toilet paper (or press it with your foot) instead of touching it with your bare hand.
6
Wash your hands before you leave the bathroom. Lather your hands up with soap and rinse them with warm water for at least 20 seconds (the “Happy Birthday” song twice) to clean off any germs.^{[4]
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- Less modern sinks might have finicky faucets that need to be pressed multiple times to stay on. Just do the best you can!
7
Dry your hands with paper towels, if possible. Although arguably better for the environment, research indicates that air dryers are not great in terms of hygiene—they actually help germs spread around. If it’s an option, dry your hands off with paper towels instead.^{[5]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- If the paper towel dispenser isn’t motion activated, use your sleeve to manually get a fresh paper towel.
Pull up your sleeve and use that to open the door. Better yet, see if another person is entering the bathroom and let them hold the door for you.
Hand sanitizer is by no means a miracle cure that kills all germs known to man, but it can still help keep your hands pretty clean. Apply a small amount of product to your hands and rub it all over the skin until your hands no longer feel wet.

Section 2 of 2:

How to Safely Use a Public Bathroom if You’re Gender-nonconforming

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If you’re feeling anxious or uncomfortable about using the bathroom for any reason, see if a friend or loved one is comfortable going with you. If you run into anyone rude or hostile, having a physical support system will make it much easier to handle the situation.
You know yourself best: which bathroom do you think you’d feel safer in, or less likely to run into someone prejudiced? That restroom is likely your best bet when it comes to feeling safer and more secure in public.
3
Project as much confidence as possible when you enter the bathroom. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to change or control what other people think—but you can control how you present yourself. Stand at your full height and walk into the bathroom confidently. Once you’re inside, do your business and leave without interacting with anyone else there.
- Acting confident is good advice for navigating any public space as a trans or gender-nonconforming individual.^{[6]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

Would it be better to use a germicide to clean my hands?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

You can use a Purell gel afterward to kill the bacteria and sanitize your hands.

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Question

What if the back stalls are clean and I use one?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

We recommend using the first stall; however, if the back stalls are cleaner then by all means use them instead.

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Tips

Keep a face mask on hand in case the bathroom smells a little funky. In a worst-case scenario, stuff your nose beneath the neckline of your shirt or breathe into your elbow (like you’re about to sneeze).

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