Icky Elevator Buttons & other stuff (inspired by wuv tigger's thread)

[BedKnobbery2]

I just read wuv tigger's thread about disinfecting commonly touched objects in your home, and got to thinking about those in public. As you know, its impossible to disinfect EVERYTHING we touch--we just don't have that kind of control or time--and one thing that really gets to me is elevator buttons, door handles, and hand rails in public. When the kids and I go to Disney, we each have a personal size container of Purell gel in our fanny packs, and I make sure we all use it frequently. It borders on paranoid, I know, but in 5 trips as a family, not one of us has gotten sick while on vaca.

However, I get totally ooged (hey, I invented a new word!) out in the parking garage at work, especially because there are lots and lots of pigeons who roost in there, despite their best efforts to discourage it. I never, ever, ever touch the handrails in the stairwells, and since I have stair-issues (fell down a flight a few years ago and broke my leg in 5 places) that means I take the elevator unless I've gotten a place on the first or second level. But the buttons oog me out too! So I'm in the habit of pressing them with my pinkie knuckle....same in my office building. Then I wash my hands when I get to the office. Anyone else get freaky about elevator buttons? What else in public creeps you out, germ-wise?

 

[legs22]

I also press the elevator buttons with my knuckles.

 

[HoneyPooh]

Light Switches, especially in hotel rooms etc. I always use my knuckles on those. Ick!

 

[sandramaac]

I have always been 'wierded out' by bathrooms and specifically the showers in hotel rooms. The thought of my body touching the walls and the shower curtain for some reason really grosses me out. Since we travel so much and to deal with this now what I do is bring rubbing alchol and a spritz bottle. Before I get in the shower, I spray everything down. It make me feel better. I know when we rent our home in the outer banks they have a huge tub in the bathroom. Hubby is always like lets do the bath thing---but that really sends chills up my spine--I just cant get in that tub. And it not like I'm a neat freak at home, but at least the germs and such at home are our germs--does that make sense?

 

[RNMOM]

Oh do I know what you mean. Imagine having to use the elevators people use when they are going to a large inner city emergency room! EWWWWWWWW.

I also do the knuckle thing on elevator buttons. I hate to touch the doors so push them with my elbow.

My biggest one is the inside door knob of public restrooms. With all the people who don't wash their hands in there......

 

[Diane]

I usually use my knuckles for public buttons and the back of hand/wrist for other things (doors, faucets). And I wash my hands and face frequently.

Other things that gross me out: ATM buttons, shopping cart handles, and those pens at banks and the grocery checkout.

 

[buzzlady]

What I hate are the public restrooms that ONLY have the heat hand dryers - no paper towels to use to turn off the faucet or open the door with.