How to Clean Public Toilet Seat Before Using It

Imagine this: you are outside your home visiting a museum, watching a movie in a cinema, eating at a restaurant, or doing something else, and suddenly nature calls, and you find yourself looking for a public toilet. 

But upon reaching the toilet, you are welcomed to an unsightly toilet appearance due to a lack of sanitization and cleanliness. 

Although it’s highly unlikely you’ll contract any serious diseases from sitting on a dirty toilet seat, it is still best to clean public toilet seats before using them to enhance bathroom safety. 

When nature calls at odd times and using a public toilet is inevitable, there’s only so much you can do to ensure it is protected from harmful germs and bacteria, which usually lurk on the toilet seats. 

Keep reading to learn how to sanitize a public toilet seat using various disinfection methods to not only promote personal health but also contribute to overall public health.

How to sanitize a public toilet seat

1. Wipe the toilet seat with toilet paper

To ensure the toilet seat surface is dry, wipe it thoroughly with clean toilet paper. This process helps reduce the number of germs and bacteria. 

If you have access to hand sanitizer, pour a couple of drops onto the toilet paper and then wipe the surface. Similarly, you can use soap and water for an added layer of cleanliness. 

2. Place a toilet seat cover on the seat

Toilet seat covers are thin, lightweight, disposable plastic sheets designed to cover the surface of a toilet seat before use. 

They act as a barrier between the user and the seat, preventing you from coming in contact with germs and bacteria and providing a hygienic layer that can be discarded after use. 

These covers are usually on the walls of the public toilets or in a holder in each bathroom stall. Additionally, you can carry a personal single-use toilet seat cover when no cover is available.

3. Clean the seat with disinfectant wipes

Clean the toilet seat with flushable disinfectant or alcohol wipes to remove the germs, bacteria, and viruses present on it. 

Most companies offer travel-sized packages of disinfecting wipes that you can carry with you in your pocket or bag. Make sure to carefully wipe the surface, dry it with toilet paper before sitting, and only use flushable disinfectant wipes to prevent clogging. 

4. Make a seat cover with toilet paper

If toilet seat covers and disinfectant wipes are not available, then you can use toilet paper to create your seat cover. 

Wrap a double layer of toilet paper around the seat using medium- to long strips. This method can be more effective than a single layer, as it reduces the chances of pathogens slipping through.

Proactive bathroom sanitary measures

1. Squat instead of sitting on a toilet seat

If you find public toilets unsanitary, with no toilet paper, seat covers, or disinfectant wipes available, you can opt to squat over the toilet instead of sitting. 

2. Flush the toilet with toilet paper or shoe

The toilet flush handle is considered one of the most unsanitary parts of the toilet. It is frequently touched and accumulates germs and bacteria from multiple users. 

To flush the toilet, cover the flush handle with toilet paper, a seat cover, or a shoe to prevent contact with germs and bacteria. 

3. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds

Contaminated hands are one of the primary reasons for the spread of bacterial and viral infections from toilets. 

Prevent this from happening by washing your hands thoroughly with soap (preferably antibacterial) and water for at least 20 seconds. Dry your hands with paper towels, or better to let them air dry. 

FAQs

Is it necessary to sanitize the toilet seat even if it looks clean?

Yes, it is necessary to sanitize the toilet seat even if it appears clean. Germs, bacteria, and pathogens aren’t visible to the naked eye, and sanitizing the toilet seat with disinfectant wipes helps ensure a hygienic surface by reducing the risk of diseases and infection.  

Should I avoid touching the public toilet seat with my bare hands?

Yes, it is better to avoid touching the public toilet seat with bare hands. Not thoroughly washing hands or touching the face after handling the toilet seat can lead to various infections, such as dysentery, hepatitis A, cholera, and enteropathogenic E. coli, among others.

How long do germs typically survive on a public toilet seat?

Depending on factors like the type of germs, humidity, and surface condition, the germs can survive on a public toilet seat for varying lengths of time. 

However, some germs can survive for hours to days, highlighting the importance of regular sanitization to minimize the risk of infection transmission.