Do you bring your own bedding?

[bavaria]

The chances of are far greater that the bottom of a shoe is far more unclean than some else's hands. As others have pointed out, most of us can wipe ourselves without transferring bodily fluids or solids onto the handle.

Your shoe however may well be standing in urine or solid waste while you are relieving yourself. Then that gets transferred onto the handle for the next person, who in turn can transfer it to the door while exiting the stall and before washing their hands.

 

[MidgeHadley]

The chances of are far greater that the bottom of a shoe is far more unclean than some else's hands. As others have pointed out, most of us can wipe ourselves without transferring bodily fluids or solids onto the handle.

Your shoe however may well be standing in urine or solid waste while you are relieving yourself. Then that gets transferred onto the handle for the next person, who in turn can transfer it to the door while exiting the stall and before washing their hands.

As I've said before, I'm not a germaphobe. I don't flush with my foot because of germs. I really couldn't care less about germs on the flusher or the stall door because I'm washing my hands before leaving. And I also have a habit of washing my hands before eating. Bathroom germs don't bother me in the slightest.

I do think it's kind of amusing how so many non-germaphobes are the ones bothered with foot flushing. You'd think it would be the people afraid of germs that would be bothered.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Oh my! Peace, love all.

Here's my only two cents....

Once I did walk around a WDW reosrt room in bare socks thinking this was okay. After a few minutes of walking back and forth - my brand new socks were black on the bottom! I can't say I've never done a few steps since, but I really minimize it. I'm really quite certain that's whyt most resorts use brown or dark colored carpeting.

It's also why I LOVE resorts with all white bedding! I think it's much harder to hide stains (The Swan is great), and a huge PLUS.

The DIS has informed me to check for bed-bugs...but I must confess, I really only half-know what I'm looking for when I do a search, or how thoroughly I should search, since I've never actually seen any.

I HATE bringing my own sheets to a rental house. Having to make and un-make the beds, plus lugging all my bedding/linens is almost a deal killer to me. I would never do that in a resort.

I will say this as nicely as I can, PLEASE don't use your own utensils at a buffet! I more or less expect there is a risk of cross contamination at a buffet, but this action guarentees it! You are putting lives at risk with your actions! It is equally dangerous to use a utensil from one food item in another bin, and all too common. Food allergies of this magnitude are very common!

For those with food allergies- WDW is very helpful. They can give you food from the back room that has not been on the line. If you are paranoid about getting germs - I suggest that you should also request food from the back rather than knowingly putting other folks at risk.

As a location , I think WDW is VERY aware of the risk of food allergies/cross contamination. I'm not saying there aren't health code violations from insects and the like - but I think WDW really does make an effort to avoid cross contaminating allergenic food items. The risk of a lawsuit is probably very real to them.

 

[bavaria]

As I've said before, I'm not a germaphobe. I don't flush with my foot because of germs. I really couldn't care less about germs on the flusher or the stall door because I'm washing my hands before leaving. And I also have a habit of washing my hands before eating. Bathroom germs don't bother me in the slightest.

Do you mind if I ask you a few more questions? You seem reasonable and I think that we are just having a discussion, not fighting about this (or at least I am just having a discussion!)

Do you foot flush in the hotel room or at home? or just in more public places?

They do have foot flushes in some places in North America, right? I know that I have many times flushed with my foot and I think that was in North America too - ie the lever was at the ground level next to the toilet.

Would using a piece of toilet tissue and flushing with your hand make any difference?

What about squat toilets?

I'm seriously just curious, not singling you out, but you have been pleasant and reasonable in your responses and I am curious. Don't feel that you have to answer, or speak on behalf of the footflushesoftheworld. We often joke that in Germany there are about 30 different ways to flush a toilet because the lever on the side is actually quite rare, compared to all the other types of knobs, buttons, levers, etc one finds.

 

[dbriggsq]

Yikes!

To answer the original question - no we never bring our own sheets (as a family of 7 flying from the UK we would need to pay excess baggage!) and I wouldn't even think of it. I love sinking into the clean sheets at Disney hotels, walking around with bare feet and don't even ask me to think about cleaning the bathroom - I'm on holiday. I've had one mild cold in the last 2 years and haven't vomited since I was pregnant with DD 18 years ago, never been bitten by bedbugs or fleas (mozzies - yes) and the children are all hale and hearty.

You guys please stop worrying about germs and stuff - our bodies were designed to combat germs and that's how they build up the ability to do so.

However I've never heard of flushing the toilet with a foot (must have lived a sheltered life) and that does bother me. As others have said there will be far more germs on the bottom of a shoe (just from walking in the restrooms) than there would be on your hands - if you are going to wash your hands anyway why do you need to use your shoe. As someone who flushes the toilet with her bare hands (shock horror - why am I not dead) I will perhaps now be more careful how I wash my hands afterwards. I think people should be educated not to do this.

 

[MidgeHadley]

Do you mind if I ask you a few more questions? You seem reasonable and I think that we are just having a discussion, not fighting about this (or at least I am just having a discussion!)

Do you foot flush in the hotel room or at home? or just in more public places?

They do have foot flushes in some places in North America, right? I know that I have many times flushed with my foot and I think that was in North America too - ie the lever was at the ground level next to the toilet.

Would using a piece of toilet tissue and flushing with your hand make any difference?

What about squat toilets?

I'm seriously just curious, not singling you out, but you have been pleasant and reasonable in your responses and I am curious. Don't feel that you have to answer, or speak on behalf of the footflushesoftheworld. We often joke that in Germany there are about 30 different ways to flush a toilet because the lever on the side is actually quite rare, compared to all the other types of knobs, buttons, levers, etc one finds.

I can respond in a PM if you like, since the art of toilet flushing is pretty off topic in this thread. Haha.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I can respond in a PM if you like, since the art of toilet flushing is pretty off topic in this thread. Haha.

And deprive the rest of us of your answer? Pls I'd love to hear what you say.

 

[JoBird]

I have stayed in hotels in America and France where I knew for certain that there were bed bugs. I had some very interesting bugs in my rooms in India and America.

Good Lord- you're making me itch all over.

Jo

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Boy, this thread has really gone down the toilet.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

Never have and never will. I think if this a a problem, you wouldn't even step foot outside. You probably have more germs hanging out on door knobs, railings, pulling a chair out to sit on in a public place, etc, etc.

 

[MidgeHadley]

Never have and never will. I think if this a a problem, you wouldn't even step foot outside. You probably have more germs hanging out on door knobs, railings, pulling a chair out to sit on in a public place, etc, etc.

How about germs on the salt/pepper shakers at restaurants?

At the French Market at Disneyland a couple years ago we were waiting in line and saw a little kid (probably around 2 years old or so) put the salt shaker in his mouth. He basically put the top of it in his mouth like a bottle. Haha. Pretty nasty.

 

[bavaria]

I can respond in a PM if you like, since the art of toilet flushing is pretty off topic in this thread. Haha.

Thank you for the interesting PM! I sent you back some details of toilets around the world. Deb & Bill the 30 ways to flush a toilet in Germany is more of a CB topic I think, not to mention how to navigate a squat toilet in winter while balancing a winter coat, shawl, handbag, and jeans. Skirts and squat toilets go better together!

Good Lord- you're making me itch all over

Ah, but just because the giant ants of India would march down my wall and into my bed every night didn't make them bed bugs. Bugs in bed does not equal the specific species of 'bed bug'

I just took a Perrier bottle every day and squished the parade as they came down the wall; if there is no ant ahead of it the ant doesn't know where to go, gets confused, and starts a new path. Simple solution!

 

[Dobie]

Whether travelling or at home, I disinfect everything I drink with a tablespoon of good whiskey.

Unless I'm broke--then I use cheap whiskey.

 

[cannonballer]

Does anyone/has anyone brought their own bedding/sheets to the resort?
Yes I plan to, although I am staying a cheap hotel I would still even if it was a hilton

I've never really liked the whole idea of 'community bedding'----but hey, if you want to travel, you have to stay in a motel/hotel, right?
NO! I never stay at a hotel or motel but feel I should in Florida! I usually stay either in cabins or I tent camp, its cheaper adn LOTS cleaner IMO! Florida camping is hot so we are gonna stay in a hotel cause we couldnt find good rental deals like in other areas such as the smokies where you can rent a luxery cabin with full kitchen etc for 40 bucks a night!!!

For 30+ years, I managed fine (not necessarily liking it).Thats too bad.

I'm seriously considering bringing along my own set of sheets this upcoming trip. I never use the blanket and comforter, anyway (push it to the bottom of the bed or remove it entirely)---gross! I'm thinking I can just put the fitted sheet over the sheets they provide----pillowcases over theirs, etc.
Thats what I would do.

Then, I wonder if I could leave a note for Mousekeeping to NOT make up the beds----so the nasty blanket and comforter don't make their way back to the bed atop of my sheets!? I always request no housekeeping. No need adn it slims the chances of theft of our property as well.

Please don't think I'm a total germ-a-phobe or nut! (but I guess it is ok, if you do ) . . .I won't mention the clorox wipes I bring. . .ha!My germs I aint scared of its the cleanliness adn having to rely on somone elses cleaning that bugs me.



Thank you!!!![/QUOTE]

 

[michael's mom]

I have never brought own bedding, nor will I ever. I know that the sheets and towels are clean, and I don't use the other bedding anyway. If I did, I would just request a freshly washed blanket.

But, we do have to allow ourselves to be exposed to some germs because that is how we build up our immunity and stay healthy.

Have a great trip!

 

[maxiesmom]

I still don't understand the big deal with how people flush the toilet. With a foot or with a hand, either way we're all washing our hands afterwards anyway, right?

You would like to think so, but I think most of us have seen otherwise. It still shocks me how many people don't wash their hands after using the toilet. Of course if you were to ask them they would all swear they were going to use hand sanatizer instead.

I can't help but wonder what Cookingmama has to say about the whole cross contamination with her own fork thing.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Excuse me, honey. I'm not the one-- trust me on that. First of all, my comments were in general and I don't think I specified you or anyone specifically.

Oh, no - I know you didn't.

Despite the obvious disparity in attitudes and practices in this thread, I just wouldn't want ANYONE to think anyone ELSE here thinks they're "dumb" because of what they do or how they think.

And yes, when someone makes condescending, sarcastic comments as though they are teaching a pre-schooler the basics of the immune system,

While it's too bad you read those commments as condescending or sarcastic, many people truly do not KNOW that exposure to germs is what builds the immune system - see the post from the scientist's daughter, and from many nurses in the "if you're going soon" thread. Not knowing is NOT being dumb. And yes, I realize CookingMama's situation is... not unique, not different, not special... but something... I can't think of the word - because she has a child with immune system problems.

There should be a federal law against unclean temporary housing, with strict fines for violation, irregardless of price level.

Respectfully, I think the existing state laws (and they do exist) are more effective. While sure, this means there's no national standard, there's a common sense standard; and it's easier to monitor state by state.

I'd also like to state for the record that I HATE women who hover. Sit down--no one wants to use that stall after you when you hover

Plus, hovering increases the tendency/likelihood of UTIs.

I can respond in a PM if you like, since the art of toilet flushing is pretty off topic in this thread. Haha.

No - you don't want to get into a PM conversation with bavaria. It'll never end!

Seriously, though - you could start it as an entirely new topic, but it'd probably have to go on the Community Board... uh oh... I feel a poll coming on... {no, Ronda, stop it! no polls!}

You would like to think so, but I think most of us have seen otherwise. It still shocks me how many people don't wash their hands after using the toilet

Yep. I'm the 'strange' lady at work who, when I run into new employees in the restroom, tell them they might want to consider using a paper towel to open the door on their way out.

 

[Talking Hands]

Only bring my own pillow and bllanket. My comfies. Can't sleep without them.

 

[ms.yt]

Why do people use their foot to flush the toilet instead of their hand? Isn't there a sink to wash with after you leave the toilet stall???

Because the same people who think that ceramic coffee cups can house mysterious germs even after they are washed also probably think that washing their hands doesn't get them clean enough. It's pretty ridiculous, though, because you could always use a piece of toilet paper to flush with instead of your foot.

 

[kaytieeldr]

But you will NEVER convince the foot-flushers of that, ms.yt