# Do you wash your hands after using an autoflush urinal? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 5, 2007, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941 "2007-12-05T20:12:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/1 "2007-12-05T20:12:38Z")
I’m a bit of an handwashing maniac – obsessive without the compulsive, I’d say. So naturally, I wash my hands after using the urinal at the office, even though it’s the modern touchless kind. I can’t defend this behavior on hygiene grounds; it’s more a matter of habit, and imputed peer pressure. I think most people do the same. But when no one is looking? Any of you say, “To hell with it”? ---
**Author:** ![Cleophus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@Cleophus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cleophus)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/2 "2007-12-05T20:16:08Z")
Considering where one’s hands have to go when using a urinal, auto-flush or otherwise, (or a stall, for that matter), I always wash my hands after using the bathroom. ---
**Author:** ![brewha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@brewha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brewha)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/3 "2007-12-05T20:16:16Z")
Yes I always wash my hands - cause [Cecil told me to](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_220.html) ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/4 "2007-12-05T20:19:17Z")
Always. It’s not what’s on the flush handle that concerns me. Well, not **just** what’s on it. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/5 "2007-12-05T20:26:14Z")
I’ll be truthful. We have auto-flush here at work. About 20% of the time I say “to hell with it.” ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/6 "2007-12-05T20:29:18Z")
Hell, at work I wash my hands BEFORE I piss: in the course if my job (valet driver) I am constantly touching the most vile, germ-laden objects in the universe… …other people’s steering wheels, other people’s gear shifts, other people’s money. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/7 "2007-12-05T20:38:28Z")
I’ve worked in foodservice for 24 years, so it’s entirely automatic for me to wash my hands after doing _anything_, in _any_ restroom. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/8 "2007-12-05T20:39:05Z")
Can’t say that the autoflush has ever had an impact on my hand-washing habits. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/9 "2007-12-05T20:42:55Z")
If it’s not auto-flush, I usually flush with my elbow or forearm anyway. But I’ve still touched _myself_ (not in the good way) so I still wash my hands. ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/10 "2007-12-05T20:45:31Z")
Yes, why not? ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/11 "2007-12-05T20:50:30Z")
[QUOTE=brewha] Yes I always wash my hands - cause [Cecil told me to](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_220.html) [/QUOTE] That strikes me as one of the more B.S. columns that Cecil ever pissed into the snow. In the first place, I’m not sure how much handling of the equipment routinely happens during peeing. Personally, I don’t do any, though it’s a matter of habit and undergarments, I suppose. I refuse to believe that your average person gets more fecal coliform bacteria on his hands from peeing than he does from the handle of the door that lets him out of the bathroom. In any case, so what? I wash my hands before eating, so if there’s any problem with my hands being contaminated, it’s taken care of at that point. ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/12 "2007-12-05T20:52:40Z")
[QUOTE=Lionne] Yes, why not? [/QUOTE] Not good reason, except maybe to reduce your carbon footprint, however slightly, and not chap your hands excessively. And actually, on edit, I see you’re using a toilet (as befits your feminine nature, I imagine). But that’s where the distinction lies – you can use the autoflush urinal without really touching anything. ---
**Author:** ![Amblydoper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@Amblydoper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amblydoper)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/13 "2007-12-06T03:34:21Z")
You know when I wash my hands? when I shit on them! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/14 "2007-12-06T05:44:11Z")
[QUOTE=Cleophus] Considering where one’s hands have to go when using a urinal, auto-flush or otherwise, (or a stall, for that matter), I always wash my hands after using the bathroom. [/QUOTE] It’s _your_ penis, isn’t it? 😕 :rolleyes: My answer- sometimes, depends. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/15 "2007-12-06T05:57:50Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] It’s _your_ penis, isn’t it? 😕 :rolleyes: My answer- sometimes, depends. [/QUOTE] Obligatory joke reply: Yeah, and have you _seen_ the places its been? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/16 "2007-12-06T13:39:51Z")
The other day I went to Popeye’s for a three piece combo. After eating, I went to go use the restroom. Upon finishing, I discovered the soap dispenser was bone dry. So I went to the manager and said: Me: “You know your soap dispenser is out of soap” Her: “Oh, I’m sorry sir. Let me get that filled for you” Me: “Well, I got to get back to work. My main concern is how are your employees washing their hands before returning to work like the sign says on the (restroom) wall?” Her: [shrugs shoulders] Ugh! I’ll never eat at THAT store again. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/17 "2007-12-06T14:05:09Z")
I’ve said in many a thread that handwashing after normal urination for a healthy person is unnecessary, autoflsuh or no autoflush- I even have a newspaper article where a real urolgist makes this same claim. I never do it, and have never gotten ill as a result- in fact, I dare anyone to provide a cite where someone has gotten ill from touching their weiner, or getting piss on their hands. What _really_ gets me is these handwashers who scrub for ten minutes up to the elbow like they’re about to preform surgery, and then touch the germ infested door handle when they leave. Only time I do wash is at work if a co-worker is in there as well- you don’t want word getting out that you don’t wash, and them come food day no one touches your green bean casserole because they think your “nasty”. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/18 "2007-12-06T14:29:52Z")
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn] I’ve said in many a thread that handwashing after normal urination for a healthy person is unnecessary, autoflsuh or no autoflush- I even have a newspaper article where a real urolgist makes this same claim. I never do it, and have never gotten ill as a result- in fact, I dare anyone to provide a cite where someone has gotten ill from touching their weiner, or getting piss on their hands. What _really_ gets me is these handwashers who scrub for ten minutes up to the elbow like they’re about to preform surgery, and then touch the germ infested door handle when they leave. Only time I do wash is at work if a co-worker is in there as well- you don’t want word getting out that you don’t wash, and them come food day no one touches your green bean casserole because they think your “nasty”. 🙂 [/QUOTE] Yes, but isn’t that article refering to YOUR own urine? And not others? I always thought the hand washing was a common courtesy toward the people you interact with. As opposed to personal hygiene. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/19 "2007-12-06T14:33:41Z")
[QUOTE=SHAKES] Yes, but isn’t that article refering to YOUR own urine? And not others? I always thought the hand washing was a common courtesy toward the people you interact with. As opposed to personal hygiene. [/QUOTE] Yes, but people at work touch common doors, other peoples pens, copy machines, faxes, etc. after coughing, sneezing, adjusting themselves, scratching their ass, etc, which are more likely to cause illness than urine, which is clean and sterile, drinkable in a pinch and good for the skin. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/20 "2007-12-06T14:36:10Z")
Yeah, I always wash my hands after peeing. But I’m a girl. You sort of have to shove your hand down there, it’s much more unsanitary, I’d wager, than the way guys do it. Though I’ve always been squicked out when guys don’t wash their hands afterward. Just the principle of the thing. Isn’t washing your hands like the one most important thing you can do to avoid the spread of disease? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941.md?page=2)