Advising on Methods to Minimize Bathroom Germ Spread, as Proposed by Nurse Shanina Knighton
In the quest to maintain a clean and hygienic bathroom environment, a small yet significant action can make a big difference - closing the toilet lid before flushing. This simple act, according to Shanina Knighton, a research associate professor at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, can help prevent the spread of germs, especially when using high-powered toilets.
High-powered toilets, with their increased flushing force, can potentially propel contaminated droplets into the surrounding air, leading to surface and airborne contamination in the bathroom. Knighton, who is also an infection preventionist, emphasises the importance of this practice, particularly with such toilets.
The act of lowering the lid before flushing dramatically reduces the spread of germs via the "toilet plume" - tiny water droplets that aerosolize and contaminate bathroom surfaces. By containing these germs within the bowl area, the risk of surface and airborne contamination is significantly reduced.
In addition to lowering the lid before flushing, other best practices for preventing the spread of germs in bathrooms include ventilating the bathroom well, cleaning the toilet regularly, and practising thorough hand hygiene.
Ventilating the bathroom, either by using an exhaust fan or opening a window, can help decrease airborne moisture, odours, and germ concentration. It's advised to wait at least a minute after flushing before entering the bathroom to reduce inhalation of airborne pathogens released by flushing.
Regular cleaning of the toilet, at minimum weekly, and more often if multiple people use the toilet or in guest bathrooms, reduces microbial buildup on surfaces where germs can persist. Thorough hand hygiene, including washing hands with soap and water after using the toilet, drying hands preferably with disposable paper towels, and using a paper towel to turn off faucets and open doors, further reduces the risk of recontamination.
By following these steps, we can collectively reduce the risk of spreading germs in the bathroom environment through flushing and other contact points. Maintaining ventilation, frequent cleaning, and proper flushing technique, along with hand hygiene, support health safety in our bathrooms.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, adhering to the practice of closing the toilet lid before flushing can significantly reduce the spread of germs, especially when using high-powered toilets that possess a stronger flushing force.
- Alongside lowering the lid before flushing, effective measures for minimizing germs in bathrooms include improving ventilation through the use of exhaust fans or open windows, regular cleaning of the toilet, and practising proper hand hygiene.
- Interior-design enthusiasts might consider incorporating air-purifying houseplants into their home-and-garden decor, as some varieties are known for their ability to naturally absorb and neutralize odours and toxins, contributing positively to health-and-wellness.
- Home-improvement projects like repainting walls with low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints can contribute to healthier home environments, ensuring air quality in the home-and-garden remains beneficial for fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, and overall lifestyle goals.
