# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/21 "2007-12-06T14:56:59Z")
[QUOTE=Sal Ammoniac] 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. [/QUOTE] I still touch things like the restroom and stall doors, the toilet paper dispenser (cause it’s never just hanging there perfectly) and the sink fixtures. You know, I’ve never seen a bathroom that has a trifecta of automation: autoflushing, automatic sinks and wave-your-hand-for-a-towel dispensers. Throw in a revolving door and that’d be the cleanest restroom ever! ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/22 "2007-12-06T15:09:38Z")
Yes. Washing your hands is the best first-line defense to prevent getting colds and flus. When I am in the men’s room I take full advantage of the opportunity. ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/23 "2007-12-06T15:18:06Z")
My block and tackle is the cleanest part of me. I shower twice a day, and it’s my favorite part to wash. You could eat off of it. Trust me. But yeah, I’d feel weird about not washing after using the urinal, even if I never touched anything. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/24 "2007-12-06T16:18:33Z")
Of course I wash my hands. [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 [/QUOTE] It’s not about cleaning up from urination. It’s about cleaning up from simply being in the world. Everybody should wash their hands half a dozen times a day, give or take, to remove the buildup of dirt and microorganisms collected from the aforementioned pens, doorknobs, etc. Bathroom visits are merely a convenient excuse to perform the handwashing function. In fact, for all the difference it makes, one could wash one’s hands immediately upon entering the bathroom, _before_ pissing, and the health benefits would be more or less the same. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/25 "2007-12-06T17:08:38Z")
[QUOTE=Lionne] You know, I’ve never seen a bathroom that has a trifecta of automation: autoflushing, automatic sinks and wave-your-hand-for-a-towel dispensers. Throw in a revolving door and that’d be the cleanest restroom ever! [/QUOTE] There’s a restaurant adjacent to our Renaissance Faire site that has all of those technological wonders in their restrooms and the door opens out as you leave so you can push it open with your elbow or a foot if you’re that paranoid. All we need now are autoshake urinals to get that last dribble off and autowipe toilets. (Actually, I think Toto makes a line of bidets that get awfully close to this.) ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/26 "2007-12-06T17:14:58Z")
Well the germs are from the hose, not the stream. Sometimes I will try to aim hands free and flush using my foot in which case I don’t feel the need to wash my hands if it’s a doorless bathroom. ---
**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, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/27 "2007-12-06T17:19:33Z")
[QUOTE=Cervaise] Of course I wash my hands.It’s not about cleaning up from urination. It’s about cleaning up from simply being in the world. Everybody should wash their hands half a dozen times a day, give or take, to remove the buildup of dirt and microorganisms collected from the aforementioned pens, doorknobs, etc. Bathroom visits are merely a convenient excuse to perform the handwashing function. In fact, for all the difference it makes, one could wash one’s hands immediately upon entering the bathroom, _before_ pissing, and the health benefits would be more or less the same. [/QUOTE] I can’t argue with that 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/28 "2007-12-06T17:19:34Z")
[QUOTE=gotpasswords] All we need now are autoshake urinals… [/QUOTE] There used to be something like that in Penn station. It just looked like a little hole in the wall, but it was actually this elaborate full service device. ---
**Author:** ![ethelbert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@ethelbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ethelbert)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/29 "2007-12-06T18:17:20Z")
[QUOTE=Cervaise] Of course I wash my hands.It’s not about cleaning up from urination. It’s about cleaning up from simply being in the world. Everybody should wash their hands half a dozen times a day, give or take, to remove the buildup of dirt and microorganisms collected from the aforementioned pens, doorknobs, etc. Bathroom visits are merely a convenient excuse to perform the handwashing function. In fact, for all the difference it makes, one could wash one’s hands immediately upon entering the bathroom, _before_ pissing, and the health benefits would be more or less the same. [/QUOTE] I agree with this. I don’t regard washing my hands as something I have to do because I have somehow soiled myself while urinating. I view being in the bathroom as an opportunity to wash my hands. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/30 "2007-12-06T18:42:18Z")
I always wash my hands (and expect others to do the same) for one very simple reason: courtesy. I imagine that most guys would not thrust a hand in their pants, feel their junk, then reach out for a friendly handshake, but that is essentially what you’re doing if you don’t wash up. Blech. (And while we’re on this topic, flush the damn urinals, people! Gad, I hate that!) ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/31 "2007-12-06T19:11:58Z")
There’s a rest stop on I-90 on the Montana/Idaho border that has little individual rooms instead of stalls, automatic toilets, automatic soap, automatic faucets, and automatic hand-dryers. It’s like the bathroom of the future, and it’s awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/32 "2007-12-06T19:44:09Z")
[QUOTE=ShadowFacts] I imagine that most guys would not thrust a hand in their pants, feel their junk, then reach out for a friendly handshake, but that is essentially what you’re doing if you don’t wash up. [/QUOTE] What if, while you’re in the bathroom, you also wash your junk? ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/33 "2007-12-06T20:40:10Z")
[QUOTE=Sal Ammoniac] I’m not sure how much handling of the equipment routinely happens during peeing. Personally, I don’t do any [/QUOTE] In the interest of learning more about men, how does that work exactly? “I don’t know how you guys walk around with those things.” /Elaine Benes ---
**Author:** ![Sunrazor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/34 "2007-12-06T20:42:46Z")
I’ve read a few articles lately (TIME had one a week or so ago) that our increasing pandemic of food allergies is probably due, in part, to our fastidious avoidance of germs. Seems the kiddos are developing hypersensitive immune systems because there’s nothing around to “toughen 'em up.” So being afraid of a few germs on a door handle seems a bit much to me. 'Course, I roll around on the floor with my big yellow dog and share my peanut butter sandwich with her sometimes. And, I’m pretty healthy. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/35 "2007-12-06T20:48:45Z")
[QUOTE=gotpasswords] All we need now are autoshake urinals to get that last dribble off and autowipe toilets. (Actually, I think Toto makes a line of bidets that get awfully close to this.) [/QUOTE] If there were autoshake urinals some guys would never go back to work. ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/36 "2007-12-06T20:51:46Z")
[QUOTE=Cervaise] What if, while you’re in the bathroom, you also wash your junk? [/QUOTE] You would be unpleasantly surprised at the looks you get when someone walks in and sees you kneeling on the sink, pumping handsoap onto your package. ---
**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 6, 2007, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/37 "2007-12-06T20:53:44Z")
[QUOTE=gigi] In the interest of learning more about men, how does that work exactly? [/QUOTE] You had to ask! It’d probably be easier just to show you. Volunteers? Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2007, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/38 "2007-12-06T20:55:30Z")
> [@Waverly](#): > > You would be unpleasantly surprised at the looks you get when someone walks in and sees you kneeling on the sink, pumping handsoap onto your package. And even more surprised by some of the offers to help. Regards, Senator Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/39 "2007-12-07T01:26:13Z")
All you guys talking about automatic urinals, I’ll do you one better; Flushless Urinals. Basically, the urinal uses no running water, is “permanently coated” with some kind of teflon-ish material that keeps water from sticking to the inside of the urinal, and has a special drain with a layer of oil floating on top of the sewage water beneath. You pee, pee sinks under oil, oil seals off opening from any pee fumes or whatever, by some means or another. Designed to help conserve water. That said, the first time I saw one of these, it was in a bathroom with one of those push-button faucets that had only one setting: Full Blast ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941/40 "2007-12-07T04:03:37Z")
[QUOTE=ShadowFacts] I always wash my hands (and expect others to do the same) for one very simple reason: courtesy. I imagine that most guys would not thrust a hand in their pants, feel their junk, then reach out for a friendly handshake, but that is essentially what you’re doing if you don’t wash up. Blech. (And while we’re on this topic, flush the damn urinals, people! Gad, I hate that!) [/QUOTE] Bingo. It is unbelievable that men don’t wash their hands after handling their penises and then touch door handles, computer keyboards, light switches, etc. Those that don’t wash your hands, start today. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-your-hands-after-using-an-autoflush-urinal/428941.md?page=3)