The One Thing You Should Never Do In A Public Restroom, According To A Germ Expert
BuzzFeed via HuffPost Podcast Featuring Jason Tetro
Using a public restroom isn’t exactly anyone’s favorite task—but it’s unavoidable. Whether you’re at a mall, gas station, airport, or restaurant, you’ll likely find yourself needing to use a toilet away from home. And while most of us are aware that these spaces can harbor bacteria, what you might not know is that the biggest danger in a public restroom isn’t the seat—it’s the flush.
Microbiologist and author Jason Tetro, known as “The Germ Guy,” shared a surprising tip: The one thing you should never do in a public restroom is flush and stay. Why? Because flushing creates something truly gross and potentially dangerous—a toilet plume.
What is a Toilet Plume, and Why Should You Care?
When you flush a toilet—especially one without a lid (which most public toilets don’t have)—it sends a cloud of aerosol particles and droplets up into the air. This cloud, also known as a poo plume, can travel up to six feet from the bowl.
These droplets can carry pathogens like E. coli, norovirus, and salmonella. And while sitting on a toilet seat won’t typically make you sick, breathing in particles launched by a flush might—especially if they land near your mouth, nose, or eyes.
So, What Should You Do Instead?
Tetro recommends two simple but crucial steps:
- Flush the toilet before using it. This gives you a fresh start and reduces buildup from the previous user.
- Exit the stall immediately after flushing. Don’t linger! Step away from the area for at least 30 seconds to let the aerosol droplets settle.
Yes, it might feel weird walking out and back into your stall—but it’s better than inhaling a mist of who-knows-what.
What About the Toilet Seat?
Interestingly, Tetro points out that toilet seats aren’t as dirty as most people assume. Studies have shown that, unless you have a cut or open wound, the bacteria on a seat aren’t likely to harm you.
However, it’s still a good idea to use disposable toilet seat covers when available. Products like LooREADY, which offer the best flushable toilet seat covers that offer an extra layer of protection and peace of mind when using public toilets.
The Germiest Spot in a Public Restroom? It’s Not the Toilet
Here’s another shocker: the toilet seat isn’t even the dirtiest part of a public bathroom. Areas like door handles, faucet taps, and soap dispensers can harbor far more germs because people touch them with dirty hands.
Tip: Use a paper towel or tissue to touch high-contact surfaces and wash your hands thoroughly. If there’s no soap available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content.
So what’s the one thing you should never do in a public restroom? Don’t flush and stand there. Step out of the stall immediately to avoid being exposed to the germ-filled spray. In other words: flush and flee. By understanding how toilet plumes work and taking a few simple precautions—like using seat covers, avoiding surface contact, and not breathing in post-flush air—you can protect yourself from the grossest (and most invisible) dangers in a public restroom.
