It's fair to say, given the choice, most of us would opt not to use public toilets, but it's not always avoidable.
When you do, you might think that carefully covering the seat in a layer of toilet paper will help keep germs at bay; however, one expert has revealed that by doing so, you're actually putting yourself at a bigger risk of coming into contact with gross bacteria. Sorry about that.
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Doctor Philip Tierno told Self that, in general, the top of a toilet seat is cleaner than most people's kitchen sinks. Lovely. Explaining that toilet seats are specially designed to repel bacteria; whereas toilet paper is not.
Toilet paper's rough texture coupled with its absorbency make a far better breeding ground for bacteria.
Previous studies have found that when a toilet is flushed with the lid up, fecal bacteria can be spread into the air in a process called aerosolisation. Anyone else feel sick?
As toilet paper is usually kept close to the toilet, it's in a prime spot for getting a spraying, which is about as grim as it gets. But looking at it another way - we've all be using 'contaminated' paper for years and we're all fine, so that's good to know.
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You can prevent this by closing the toilet lid, but that's not always an option in a public bathroom, some of them don't even have seats, let alone a functioning lid.
If you're still worried, your safest bet is to squat over a toilet and to make sure you always wash your hands, but you did anyway, right?
Dr Tierno explained: "No matter how contaminated your hands are, as long as you wash them properly-for 20 seconds, with soap, and getting under the nail bed-you're fine."
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But your germy worries don't end there, as Tierno also suggests that you should use a paper towel to open any doors, warning that door knobs can be 'contaminated grossly'.
Tierno's final top tip? "If you go somewhere that looks really dirty, don't use it."
Good advice. Right, I'm off to go and shower in bleach.
Featured Image Credit: PA/Miramax