Doors on public lavatories.?

Question

Why do architects and designers insist on putting a door on the entrance to public lavatories?(I don't mean on the cubicles themselves).Here's the deal. You use the lavatory, then wash and dry your hands. Then you have to touch the door or the door handle to leave, and so your hands become contaminated with the filth from the hands of those whe don't wash their hands. Surely with hospital infections apparently on the increase sorting this out would partly help.

Thank you all for your responses. I'm so glad it's not me just being paranoid on this issue It's Wet Wipes all the way from now on!!

Answer 1

Thank goodness. I thought I was weird cause I do all those things, flush with my foot and use towel to open doors etc. I guess there are mor people with this concern than anyone realises. I also use the Vicks hand guad spray which is supposed to keep hands germ free for up to 3 hrs.Surely someone would have thought of a way to overcome these problems. They would be hailed a genious for sure

Answer 2

Some newer buildings are beginning to correct the outer door problem on lavatories, on the older style I keep my paper towel and use it to open the door and if necessary drag the trash can near the door with my foot. I use the paper towel to open the door, hold it open with my foot, place paper towel in trash container, walk through door. It gets easier the more you do it and hopefully some day all entry's will be correct. Good luck!

Answer 3

If the bathroom has those blowers instead of paper towels; take a small amount of toilet paper or a tissue from your pocketbook and us it to open the door. Pitch it in a trash can in or out of the bathroom. I know what you mean. I hate to have to touch the door handles. They have to be filthy. At least the doors that you can push open; you can push them with your upper arm.

Answer 4

Paper towel it all the way out. Don't have direct contact with anything in the john. There's actually tons more germs on a keyboard than in a john. It's better to use Purell when you get out of the john that to touch all the stuff required to wash your hands. GL

Answer 5

its annoying but luckily some malls have the new system where the doors are only attached on the cubicles only. best thing carry a pack of wet ones in your bag and wipe your hands if you have to touch the doors, or baby wipes.

Answer 6

I've thought about the same thing. I always keep the towel I've dried my hands on, to open the door. That way I don't have to touch the filthy door handle!! Once I have the door open, I just toss it in the trash.

Answer 7

Do what I do - use a tissue to touch anything in the lavatory. To be fair though, everything in the outside world is swarming with bacteria, so there comes a point where you have to draw the line.

Answer 8

I think a foot pedal flush.
A foot pedal door for both of them.
And foot operated taps like in hospitals scub ins.

That way you don't have to touch any one else's skanky flith.

A bit OCD but i always have wet wipes so i can wipe my hands once outside the buliding.

Answer 9

I think of this everytime... especially as they put the doors as PULL on the way out of a toilet... if they have to use a door it should be PUSH on the way out, then you can just use your foot to open it and not your newly washed hands.

Answer 10

Wait 'till you need to use an African 'hole in the gulley' squat loo, and then you will wish for any kind of door, handle, or basin to grab hold of! But, yes, carry tissues and 'wet one' packs around with you whilst on your travels.