Many people feel the need to use toilet seat covers because they believe that toilet seats are most likely responsible for transmitting gastrointestinal and sexually transmitted infections. How true is this? Are toilet seat covers outdated? Well, we’ll do our best to answer that question and more in this article.
Regardless of people’s opinions about public toilet seats being filled with disease-causing germs. Some experts have said that there is no evidence to support this claim. In fact, research shows that the average cell phone is coated with about ten times more bacteria than the average toilet seat. Keys, shoe laces, wallets and many other everyday items also tend to be full of germs – at least compared to public toilet seats, most of which are cleaned regularly.
So, back to question;
Are Toilet Seat Covers Outdated?
It has been found that toilet seat covers are both outdated and unsanitary! Contrary to the belief that they prevent the transmission of diseases and illnesses, they actually do more harm than good. So if you find that the toilet you’re in doesn’t have a toilet seat cover, don’t panic! Because, the toilet seat cover probably wouldn’t stop germs anyway.
When You Should Consider Using Toilet Seat Covers
1. When the overall sanitary condition of the toilet is not good
When you go into a public toilet, choose a stall with a clean seat and bowl if you can. If the toilet is clean of stains and white, you can use it without adding the cover. Toilet seats are not a threat for germs or disease unless they are very dirty or in rough condition.
- When you are in a toilet with many cubicles, don’t hesitate to look through a few and choose the cleanest one.
- You can base your decision on overall cleanliness and your personal opinion.
2. If there is visible urine or debris on the toilet seat.
If the toilet seat is dirty, it is advisable to use a cover. Do this if you see drops of liquid, dirt or debris on the seat or around the toilet bowl.
3. Consider using a toilet seat cover if you have any cuts or open wound on your bottom
If you have a scratch or scar on your buttocks, it’s a good idea to use a toilet seat cover, as germs are more likely to spread through open wounds.
- In these cases, toilet seat covers work well as another layer of defense against bacteria.
See 10 Other Questions Pertaining Toilet Seat Covers
1. Do toilet seat covers really do anything?
The answer is yes – although probably not what you’re worried about. “In terms of preventing illness and transmission of infectious disease, there’s no real evidence that toilet – seat covers do that,” says Dr. William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
2. How should you use toilet seat covers?
Place the seat cover on the toilet so that the flapper goes into the bowl. The flap of the toilet seat cover is the middle, circular part. Align the flap so that it drops into the bowl and the outer ring completely covers the toilet seat.
3. What is the purpose of the toilet seat covers?
The easiest way to avoid this crap covering your bathroom is, simply, to close the toilet seat lid. “Closing the lid reduces the spread of droplets,” Hill explains.
4. Are toilet mat hygienic?
A toilet mat is hygienic as long as it is cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions at least once a month. If a toilet mat is located in a high-traffic bathroom that is often humid, it should be washed more often to keep it hygienic.
5. Can you wash toilet seat covers?
Washing bathroom carpets and toilet seat covers So, I make sure to wash the items in a washing machine. Most rugs are washable, but make sure before washing!
6. Why should you never put toilet paper on the toilet seat?
Believe it or not, using toilet paper exposes you to far more bacteria than if you just have a seat directly on the toilet. Toilet paper, on the other hand, is rough and absorbent, making it the perfect home for all those bacteria that fly into the air every time you flush the toilet.
7. Is it bad to sit on public toilet seats?
“Sitting on the toilet is not a big risk because the pathogens in the waste are gastrointestinal pathogens. The real risk is touching surfaces that may be contaminated with bacteria and viruses and then ingesting them because they are on your hands,” says Dr Pendella.
8. What diseases can you catch from toilet seats?
Yes, there can be many germs lurking in public restrooms, including both known and unknown suspects such as strep, staph, E. coli and shigella bacteria, hepatitis A virus, common cold virus and various sexually transmitted organisms.
9. When should you use a toilet seat?
This is to keep you safe from germs… The toilet seat is designed to fit along the toilet bowl and maintain hygiene. It even has a lid – a toilet seat cover. Think about that for a minute. The toilet is usually shared by several people (for example, the toilet in the office or even at home).
10. Should you flush the toilet with the lid down?
Researchers recommend lowering the toilet lid before flushing to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19. They also recommend cleaning the toilet seat before use and washing your hands thoroughly after flushing.
11. Why is it best to flush the toilet after urinating?
Urine and hard water deposits leave hardened mineral deposits around your toilet bowl over time. These deposits form more quickly if you leave urine around. In some cases, rings left too long can be nearly impossible to remove without harsh cleaners, which can be worse for the environment than those extra flushes.
12. What happens if you flush the toilet with the lid up?
According to a 2013 review of studies published in the American Journal of Infection Control, it’s clear that flushing your toilet with the lid wide open can pose potential risks. The specific action is called ” toilet plume aerosols” that occur during flushing.
>> See related video on Disposable
Final Thoughts
While deciding whether or not you need a toilet seat cover, it’s important to know that items like sponges, cutting boards, and kitchen counters often have more germs than a toilet seat. In general, toilet seats tend to be cleaner by comparison.
Not only are toilet seat covers outdated, they are incredibly unsanitary. Remove them and reveal your sparkling clean toilet.
When deciding whether or not to buy a toilet seat cover, also consider that:
- Disposable toilet seat covers can be wasteful and harmful to the environment, so try to limit the frequency of their use.
