Do you wash your hands after using the bathroom or not?

So, here’s what I’m wondering—do you wash your hands after using the restroom, regardless of whether it was a quick trip or... more substantial? And does that habit change depending on where you are? Like, do you only bother at a friend's house, the office, or a public stall, or is it a non-negotiable even at home?

If you do wash up in any of these scenarios—or if you always do—what’s the actual motivation? Is it because you...

1. had direct contact with your genitals or anus?

2. used toilet paper that got damp or messy and touched your skin?

3. didn't actually touch anything "dirty" since you used paper, but you assume bacteria seeped through anyway?

4. only wash when you're in someone else's bathroom, yet still end up touching the door handle or the faucet that everyone else touches—effectively spreading germs that way?

5. just go through the motions without really thinking about why?

6. don't wash at all and honestly don't get why anyone bothers?

7. something else entirely?

That's the question.

Melissa Sullivan27 said:So, here’s what I’m wondering—do you wash your hands after using the restroom? And I mean do you wash them *every* time, or just when you're at a friend's house, at the office, or in a public stall? Or do you actually bother doing it at home too?

If you're washing up in any of these scenarios, or all of them, what's the actual motivation? Is it because...

1. You touched your genitals or your butt directly with your hands, or

2. You used toilet paper and things got messy or damp, so it ended up touching your skin, or

3. You didn't technically touch anything "dirty," but since bacteria can seep through the paper, they ended up on your hands even if you couldn't see it,

4. You only wash up in public restrooms, which means you're still touching door handles or faucets that everyone else touches, spreading germs anyway,

5. You wash your hands but honestly don't even know why you're doing it,

6. You don't wash your hands at all and can't wrap your head around why anyone else bothers,

7. Something else entirely?

That's basically what I want to know.

Seriously, why do you keep posting such mindless questions?😉

It’s not a stupid question at all. Honestly, I suspect the replies will just go to show how differently everyone views this...

2)

Melissa Sullivan27 said:So, I'm curious about a few things—do you wash your hands after using the restroom, whether it's just a quick trip or more? And do you only bother washing up when you're at a friend's house, at work, or in a public stall, or do you do it at home too?

I wash my hands after using the bathroom, whenever I walk through my front door, before eating, and just generally... I wash them.

It's mostly just an attempt to cut down on the amount of bacteria entering my system orally—even though I know my body is constantly exposed to pathogens from every direction. You could always look into how I handle things like that in the other thread regarding MMS in alternative medicine.

Look, I know handwashing isn't a perfect fix, but it helps a little bit...

And honestly, some organisms are coprophagic by nature, so they don't have this issue. It's amazing what evolution can pull off, isn't it? 🙂 I think there might be a tiny hint of coprophagy in your question, too... 🙂

BU!!!

What about public restrooms?
Bet you don't even sit on them.

btw. You have to close the lid before flushing, and you shouldn't touch the brush or the handle with your bare hands either.
Handles and faucets shouldn't be touched with bare skin.

Honestly, people should carry three pairs of disposable gloves into the restroom—one before they even go in, one while they're there, and one after.

...bbbbbbbbuuuuuuaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaa...... ..............

I heard somewhere that you’re supposed to wash your hands before shaking hands with the CEO

So, what's your take on why I wash my hands? Just for kicks, obviously.

I find myself washing my hands after using the restroom, before meals, and after—well, after touching the trash can or whatever else feels questionable. I do it quite frequently. And why? To be perfectly honest, it isn't even a conscious preoccupation with bacteria, though that is technically the underlying cause; rather, it is simply an inescapable sensation that my hands are soiled and require cleansing. 🤷 I wouldn't go so far as to call myself a germaphobe who washes every five minutes, but frankly, there is nothing more repulsive to me than individuals who neglect to wash their hands after using the bathroom.

Douglas Fowler, must you insist on injecting discussions about imminent pathogens into every single damn thread on this forum, acting as if they can only be eradicated by your incredibly "cool" and revolutionary therapeutic methods? I spend more time typing on the Women's Health boards than I do here, yet I constantly encounter you in your self-appointed mission, preaching the wonders of ozone, chlorine, peroxide, and heaven knows what else. You say we’ve finally figured it out, so let's move on, but then you act shocked when people try to shut you down. If I end up getting my first warning or a strike because of your antics, so be it—but you truly are testing my patience. 🙄

man, these threads are just such a waste of time sometimes...