How do you flush (public restroom)?

[Mouse House Mama]

To tell you the truth, the last time I was at Lincoln Center they actually had the handles for the toilets at foot level so you could flush them with your foot. They are meant to be flushed with your foot and not your hand. I remember thinking that all places should be like that.

 

[Tickla]

I voted foot--but I also always carry a ziplock bag with some Clorox wipes & wipe the seat down real good with one, then take some toilet paper & dry off the seat before using--I usually find public restrooms in need of much help!

 

[C.Ann]

Foot - always..


Clothed elbow - or paper towel in hand - for opening/closing doors, etc..

 

[Ciao Mickey]

I use my hand. Then I wash my hands.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Too funny. We've just been having a similar discussion at work. Following the discovery that a coworker does not wash her hands "after."

 

[Nancy]

Yes and what is on the handle is not something I want on my hand, so my foot it is!

And if feet weren't used on the handle then they wouldn't be so loaded with yuck from dirty shoes that have been who knows where.


Seriously, unless people are wiping themselves with bare hands how much do you think is on a handle? If you wash your hands with warm/hot water and soap you are getting rid of whatever is on your hands.

I guess I don't get the whole foot flush don't sit on the seat stuff. I sit, I flush, I scrub and I leave. Haven't come down with any diseases yet.

 

[Nancy]

Because we don't eat with our shoes, we don't hold our kids hand with our shoe, we don't scatch our face with our shoe.........

some of us are incredibly skilled at foot maneuvers

But you do touch your shoes when you put them on don't you? Unless they are slip ons you have to. So basically you are touching all kinds of gross stuff whenever you put on shoes.

 

[MidgeHadley]

Why do all of the non-foot flushers assume that foot flushers are using their foot because of the germs? I feel like a broken record in this thread.

 

[wishspirit]

OT...one thing I have learned in a school is NOT to tie kids shoe laces. Ever grab wet shoe laces on a kindergarten boy? THINK ABOUT IT...

I've done that without thinking before! That was nasty!!

If the toilet (in the public restroom) has a handle like the ones in homes, then I use my hand. If it has a "bar" thing that is at "hand height", I use my hand for that too.

The only time I use my foot, is when the "bar" is at the level of the seat. If I bent over and used my hand to flush THAT, the contents of the bowl would be aerosolized into my face. Ummm...ew.

Even if the thoughts of that didn't gross me out, I think it would be really difficult physically to reach that thing with my hand. I thought it was meant to be flushed with a foot.

Lots of public toilets are auto flush now, though, making it a moot point

I just have to say...wow, 8 PAGES on this topic??!! ROTFL!!

The most sensible answer i've heard so far!

In the UK, our toilets are not designed to be flushed by foot, they are almost always 'residential style' except in toilets which are extensively used. I have never heard of anyone in the UK flushing the toilet with their foot, maybe with toilet paper, but thats all. We also do not have toilet seat covers anywhere. So i never really knew about them till i came to the states, and the country isn't all keeling over!!

I have used my foot in American toilets (after seeing it on an American advert!) on the 'industrial' style ones they have everywhere, cause they look as though they are meant to be footed, my face is a bit too close to the bowl for my liking!

Each to their own i guess!

 

[npmommie]

Since we don't launder pocketbooks we don't realize just how filthy they are!

another one of my idiosyncrasies comes out, the REAL reason I have a collection of Vera Bradley bags, they can be laundered!!! LOL
tis true

But you do touch your shoes when you put them on don't you? Unless they are slip ons you have to. So basically you are touching all kinds of gross stuff whenever you put on shoes.

I touch the top of my shoes, i almost never touch the bottoms, i frequently wash tennis shoes in summer when they can air dry outside too. LOL
oh and I am a clog type , so i do have a lot of slip ons.....

 

[npmommie]

I have to say again, I can't believe I can't stay away from this thread.......LOL

 

[LoraJ]

I'm still waiting to hear how all of you foot flushers exit the bathroom stall?

Because my hand that touched where your feet have been has touched the door handle.

 

[luvmy3]

I'm still waiting to hear how all of you foot flushers exit the bathroom stall?

Because my hand that touched where your feet have been has touched the door handle.

Elbow, tissue covered hand or even a purse strap

 

[LoraJ]

Elbow, tissue covered hand or even a purse strap

Then why not use those items on the flusher instead of the foot. Because unless you are using the tissue, those foot germs are now on your elbow and purse straps. Do you wash those when you wash your hands?

 

[luvmy3]

Then why not use those items on the flusher instead of the foot. Because unless you are using the tissue, those foot germs are now on your elbow and purse straps. Do you wash those when you wash your hands?

No, I never really thought about it. I think I'll go get myself a little travel bottle of lysol

I just can't bring myself to touch the actual flusher. I do not want to put my hands on something that is attached to something that 100's of people have gone to the bathroom in. Its not so much about the germs for me, its just the thought. I can't explain it, it just gives me the heebie jeebies

 

[luvmy3]

Then why not use those items on the flusher instead of the foot. Because unless you are using the tissue, those foot germs are now on your elbow and purse straps. Do you wash those when you wash your hands?

No, I never really thought about it. I think I'll go get myself a little travel bottle of lysol

I just can't bring myself to touch the actual flusher. I do not want to put my hands on something that is attached to something that 100's of people have gone to the bathroom in. Its not so much about the germs for me, its just the thought. I can't explain it, it just gives me the heebie jeebies

 

[Nancy]

Why do all of the non-foot flushers assume that foot flushers are using their foot because of the germs? I feel like a broken record in this thread.

We all don't. I posted before I read all the responses and was too lazy to go back and edit anything. BUT there are quite a few that do use their foot because of the germ thing and that is who the "germ" posts are aimed at.


I have a hard time picturing how using your foot is easier though, but I guess if that's what you're used to then it would be easier. For me it's just easy to stretch out my arm and reach down a teeny bit to flush.

 

[luvmy3]

What I really want to know, or maybe not, is what other method those 3 people use

 

[MushyMushy]

I'm still waiting to hear how all of you foot flushers exit the bathroom stall?

Because my hand that touched where your feet have been has touched the door handle.

Because we're not all foot flushing because of germy handles!

 

[famofsix]

I want to know why people think my shoes are so full of filth that I am leaving crap on the toilet handle

I am a foot flusher...mostly the reason I stated before relating to the spewing of the public toilet.

But I am not walking through a farm and then using the mall toilet


oh and if you are concerned about bacteria on the handle from my foot, I dare say, it is already there from the toilet spewing.

But I don't foot flush because of germs...it is the spew of the toilet and protecting my face that makes me a foot flusher.


the message of this thread is really wash your hands when you're done!