This whole thread brings me to my favorite phobia--public restrooms! I HATE them! I HATE using them! However, there are times when the calls of nature override my aversion for germs, so reluctantly, I use them. From the time I was a child, my mother taught me never to touch anything directly in a public restroom. When I was little, she held me over the toilet so I wouldn't come in contact with it. When I got older Mom taught me to lift up the lid, straddle the seat and go standing up. This can be done with practice (like I said, I've been doing this most of my life!). It doesn't work for no. 2, however, There are times when one must sit down. In such cases, Mom taught me to wash off the seat, using paper towels and the soap in the restroom. She also always carried those wash and dri towelettes in case the restroom didn't have soap or towels. I carry them, and also those flushable toilet wipes. However, I find the individually packaged wash and dri towelettes to be more convenient. Also, never touch anything directly in a public restroom. Use tissue paper over your fingers when touching toilet seats, etc. When doing a sit down job, roll up your pants legs so they don't touch the floor. Of course, ALWAYS wash your hands. However, many restrooms don't have soap or paper towels. So the wash and dri things come in handy. Here's something a lot of people miss--after washing their hands, they touch the faucet to turn it off. You're just picking up other people's germs all over again. Use a towel to turn off the water. Same for the door knobs. And I've added a new procedure to Mom's--I NEVER use the toilet paper in a public restroom if I can help it. I bring my own pack of tissues. Just think about it--that roll is hanging there soaking up all the airborne germs floating around, yuck! If you must use their tp, don't use the next on the roll. Tear off about a foot or two so at least you're getting a part that hasn't been directly exposed to the air and the last person's hands. Lastly, after using the restroom, I clean the bottoms of my shoes with a Clorox or similar wipe. I also always carry those antibacterial hand gels. They are also great for cleaning the toilet seats. And don't take too long in there. Do what you need to and get out!!! I can't understand women who use the bathroom as some sort of social club, talking, putting on makeup, doing their hair, etc. Don't they realize every second they're in there they're breathing someone's germs? I try to teach my kids the above procedures, and I think my daughter has the hang of it, but my 7 year old son, of course, uses the men's room and I have no idea what he does in there. He also seems to be in love with toilets and wants to use the restroom every time he sees one. I've explained to him about how these public restrooms are sespools of other peoples germs, however, he loves to go into public restrooms, I think, just to fool around unsupervised. Therefore, I limit him to one restroom break every 2 hours when we're out. He hasn't wet himself yet! After reading this thread, I'm for sure going to stock up on Lysol for our next hotel stay.
