# Poll: Washing hands after using the bathroom **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 4, 2005, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739 "2005-10-04T15:28:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [October 4, 2005, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/1 "2005-10-04T15:28:11Z")
I just read [an article](http://www.asm.org/Media/index.asp?bid=38075) where researchers observed that 90% of women and 75% of men wash their hands after using a public restroom. So I thought I’d bring this one to SDMB and add a couple of questions. Let’s do it like this: **1) Your sex 2) Your age (or decade, if you prefer) 3) Percentage of time you wash your hands after using a public restroom 4) Percentage of time you wash your hands after using a restroom in someone else’s home 5) percentage of time you wash your hands after using a restroom in your own home** Of course, feel free to add your own comments as well. As for me? 1. Male 2. 30 3. 98%, I’d say. I generally only skip this if I’m absent-minded or in a hurry. 4. 90%. If there’s an absence of towels or I’m not sure what the towels on the rack were last used for, I may hesitate. 5. 60-70%. I seem to think about this far less at home, and I don’t know why. ---
**Author:** ![VenusProbe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e495f1/32.png) [@VenusProbe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VenusProbe)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/2 "2005-10-04T16:26:30Z")
1. Male 2. 47 3. 99 4. 70 5. 80 ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/3 "2005-10-04T16:37:17Z")
You left out an important distinction. I would never think of Going Number Two without washing afterwards with soap and water, but with urination it seems far less important (even though [Cecil says I should](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_220.html)). So, for peeing only, my answers are (1) Male (2) 37 (3 & 4) Usually but not always, and often with water but not soap, and (5) Seldom, if my hands look and feel clean already. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/4 "2005-10-04T16:48:57Z")
1. Female 2. 35 3. 100% - I generally try not to use public restrooms, but when I must I have a public restroom ritual. I don’t sit on public toilet seats. If they don’t flush automatically, I kung-fu flush. I count to 15 when washing my hands with plenty of soap and the hottest water I can stand. If the water doesn’t turn off automatically, I use my wrist/arm to turn it off. When I need to get a paper towel to dry them I’ll either pull my sleeve down to push the dispenser down (if there is one), or use my elbow. Once my hands are dry I use those paper towels to touch the door handle to open the door, hold the door open with my foot, and then toss the towels in the garbage. Writing it out it seems kind of silly, but it’s all second nature by now, it’s really not a big deal. 4. 95% - Depends on the person/house or the circumstances. 5. 90% - Since I’m generally the cook or in or around the kitchen, the thought of using the restroom and then touching anything in the kitchen grosses me out. I usually don’t wash my hands after using the restroom right before bed time (but again, that depends on the circumstances), or right when I wake up, since I’ll be taking a shower anyway. ---
**Author:** ![elfbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@elfbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfbabe)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/5 "2005-10-04T16:53:30Z")
1. Female 2. 21 3. 100% 4. 100% 5. 100% Come on, people! Hygiene! As long as there’s water and/or soap present, I’m washing. ---
**Author:** ![YaWanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/bbce88/32.png) [@YaWanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaWanna)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/6 "2005-10-04T16:58:39Z")
1. Female 2. 41.9 3. 100% 4. 100% 5. Ooh - it **would** be 100%, except that I always have to get up in the middle of the night, when I’m really not awake, and pee, and I rarely wash my hands then, for fear that the water on my hands might wake me up fully & make it harder to go back to sleep. (Now I feel sheepish - where’s **Hal Briston**? 😃 ) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/7 "2005-10-04T17:01:36Z")
1. Your sex Male 2. Your age (or decade, if you prefer) 39 3. Percentage of time you wash your hands after using a public restroom 100% 4. Percentage of time you wash your hands after using a restroom in someone else’s home 100% 5. percentage of time you wash your hands after using a restroom in your own home 100% ---
**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:** [October 4, 2005, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/8 "2005-10-04T17:02:15Z")
> [@Thudlow Boink](#): > > You left out an important distinction. I would never think of Going Number Two without washing afterwards with soap and water, but with urination it seems far less important. Good point - I didn’t think of that. #2 takes me to 100% on all answers. ---
**Author:** ![YaWanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/bbce88/32.png) [@YaWanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaWanna)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/9 "2005-10-04T17:02:45Z")
> [@Thudlow Boink](#): > > You left out an important distinction. I would never think of Going Number Two without washing afterwards with soap and water, but with urination it seems far less important (even though [Cecil says I should](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_220.html)). > > So, for peeing only, my answers are (1) Male (2) 37 (3 & 4) Usually but not always, and often with water but not soap, and (5) Seldom, if my hands look and feel clean already. Does this mean you’re only a 37 year old makle when you’re peeing? ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/10 "2005-10-04T17:10:31Z")
1. Female 2. 51 3. 100% 4. 100% 5. 100% To do other than 100% is uncivilized. Trust me. ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/11 "2005-10-04T17:13:36Z")
1. Male 2. 28 Like Thudlow Boink, depends on whether it’s just urination or not, and whether or not I get backsplash on my hands Peeing, no urine contact: 3) 40% 4) 70% 5) practically never Peeing, backsplash: 3) 100% 4) 100% 5) 98% (if I’m really in a rush, I might just wipe it off and keep going, but that’s very rare) Pooping: 3) 100% 4) 100% 5) 100% ---
**Author:** ![Danalan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@Danalan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danalan)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/12 "2005-10-04T17:14:50Z")
Male 47 99% 100% 100% After urinating in a disgusting or scary public bathroom I might skip out in a hurry – particularly if someone unsavory is in there with me. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/13 "2005-10-04T17:23:58Z")
You know when I wash my hands? When I shit on them! You know how often that happens? Tops, Tops! - two, three times a week. [/GC] ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/14 "2005-10-04T19:45:51Z")
1. Female 2. 25 3. 100% 4. 95% (only if soap/towels are not available) 5. 95% (not at night - I’m up twice a night!) ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/15 "2005-10-04T19:54:19Z")
> [@psycat90](#): > > 1. Female > 2. 35 > 3. 100% - I generally try not to use public restrooms, but when I must I have a public restroom ritual. I don’t sit on public toilet seats. If they don’t flush automatically, I kung-fu flush. I count to 15 when washing my hands with plenty of soap and the hottest water I can stand. If the water doesn’t turn off automatically, I use my wrist/arm to turn it off. When I need to get a paper towel to dry them I’ll either pull my sleeve down to push the dispenser down (if there is one), or use my elbow. Once my hands are dry I use those paper towels to touch the door handle to open the door, hold the door open with my foot, and then toss the towels in the garbage. Writing it out it seems kind of silly, but it’s all second nature by now, it’s really not a big deal. > 4. 95% - Depends on the person/house or the circumstances. > 5. 90% - Since I’m generally the cook or in or around the kitchen, the thought of using the restroom and then touching anything in the kitchen grosses me out. I usually don’t wash my hands after using the restroom right before bed time (but again, that depends on the circumstances), or right when I wake up, since I’ll be taking a shower anyway. Are YOU the one who pees on the seat? Because if you are, I hate you. I wouldn’t mind sitting on a public toilet if you hadn’t thought you were too good for it and so _peed_ on it instead. Gross! ---
**Author:** ![Amaranta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Amaranta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amaranta)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/16 "2005-10-04T19:57:12Z")
Female Born in the mid-80’s 100% 100% 100% For hygiene, of course, but I guess you could also say vanity - I’m going to be checking my hair and makeup in the mirror, and I’m standing in front of the sink to do this, so it never occurs to me not to wash my hands. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/17 "2005-10-04T20:01:23Z")
1. Male 2. 43 3. 99% nearly always. Can’t think of when I don’t, but I hate to say always. 4. 99% nearly always. Can’t think of when I don’t, but I hate to say always. 5. 99% nearly always. Can’t think of when I don’t, but I hate to say always. I do it then because it is the only time I am in the bathroom and I like to wash my hands regularly to help prevent flus and colds. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/18 "2005-10-04T20:10:32Z")
1. Your sex - Female 2. Your age (or decade, if you prefer) - 60 3. Percentage of time you wash your hands after using a public restroom - 100% 4. Percentage of time you wash your hands after using a restroom in someone else’s home - 100% 5. percentage of time you wash your hands after using a restroom in your own home – 100% after #2, rarely after #1, unless I’m going to be handling food, then it’s 100% I wash my hands several times a day anyway, because I’m a hand-cream junkie – smooth hands are better when I’m sewing – so I figure I’m covered even if I don’t wash 100% of the time after peeing. It might be an hour later, but they’ll get washed. ---
**Author:** ![hlanelee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3bc359/32.png) [@hlanelee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hlanelee)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/19 "2005-10-04T20:17:13Z")
1. Male 2. 42 almost 43 3,4, and 5) Considering that I once repaired a damaged force main in the middle of the night while standing knee deep in raw sewage…and I don’t generally piss on my hands…never. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739/20 "2005-10-04T20:22:45Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Are YOU the one who pees on the seat? Because if you are, I hate you. I wouldn’t mind sitting on a public toilet if you hadn’t thought you were too good for it and so _peed_ on it instead. Gross! LOL. Usually no. Believe me, I’ve been doing it since I was a kid, literally 8 or 9 or younger. I’ve got it down. And even though I don’t sit on the seat, I agree, a wet toilet seat is disgusting. It’s disgusting to just look at. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-washing-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/324739.md?page=2)