Door handles in public toilets
02-September-2010
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Door handles in public toilets

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The worst toilet in Scotland?

We all have had to use a public toilet (restroom) at some time or other and have probably come across an example like the one in the film Trainspotting aptly named 'The worst toilet in Scotland'.

However in this article I hope to show you that even in the cleanest public loo there is a serious design flaw that even if it isn't a health risk, is guaranteed to turn your stomach if you think about it too much.

Doors usually open into a room and this feels right and has always been the way.  For example you walk into your house through the front door and you generally open a door and walk into your bedroom.

The door on your toilet quite often swings inwards as well, although this is not always the case as my one has to be opened and that brings me right to the point that I am trying to make.  How many times have you used a toilet in somewhere such as a pub or restaurant and observed someone else walk straight out after doing their business without stopping to wash their hands?

I can't speak for female toilets, but this happens quite regularly in male toilets and especially in the toilets that are in pubs.  What bothers me most though is that the doors to these toilets are quite often of the type that you have to push to go in and then pull with a handle to leave.  This doesn't make much sense to me as it means you have to use the same handle that someone who may not have washed their hands has just used.

Toilet door handles should be on the opposite side

Wouldn't it make much more sense to have toilet doors work in such a way that you could pull a handle to go in and then push the door to exit, thus avoiding contact with door handles?

I'm not sure how feasible this would be and I suspect there is a good reason why things are the way that they are but it's just something that really bothers me.

Now wash your hands!

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Diamonds are forever,you make a very good point,but where would you store all this not pure water,failing pumping the used water from washing dishes,clothes,baths etc etc up to the attic the project (I think) becomes an impossibility.
As to the original gripe writer you are dead right,no building should have a water closet door that opens inwardly.But even if the cubicle door opened outwards I think you would still have to twist a handle or unlock the door before you could get out.
So my answer to the problem is simply to wash my hands(even though all of the people in-front of me have had to touch the tap handle) leave the Toilet (restroom) and use the little bottle of Sanitiser gel that I take everywhere I go (and I do mean everywhere).
*arrawn  11-Jun-2010 14:06

 
Libel laws don't apply to the Environmental Health, STMS!!

Maybe you should give them a ring, they need to get in there with some hand swabs - disgusting!!
*Chris C  25-May-2010 13:02

 
I was relieving myself at a urinal at the food court the other day while some was unleashing a sloppy bowel-ful in one of the cubicles. I washed my hands and faffed around with my stuff and the cubicle clicked open. Out comes a restaurant guy in his apron and hat, checks his hair and off he goes back to work at a popular noodle place. Never a moment's thought about washing his hands. Reminded me of Seinfeld. Of course I have crossed that place off my dining list forever. I'd love to share more info but you know what libel law is like.
*Sick to my stomach  12-Apr-2010 16:38

 
You do have a point saying that public hygenies are badly designed. What I want to know is that if there is a limited supply of water on this planet that is fresh, then why do we use fresh drinking water 2 flush crap down the toilet?
*Diamonds are forever*  18-Feb-2010 00:00

 
Public toilet hygiene is much misunderstood. Even if the person before you washes their hands you are still not safe. Imagine this. Previous person uses toilet and soils his hand. He uses that hand to turn the tap on thereby dirtying the tap. Washes hands and exits having turned the tap off thereby dirtying his hand again. He uses that hand to open the door. Dirty door handle. You come in and dutifully wash your hands but turn the tap off thereby dirtying your hand again and touch the door handle.

The solution is to get a paper towel to turn the tap off and another to open the door with. You can't be too careful. I know to my cost. Gastro enteritis is not good.
*Russ Daw  03-Feb-2010 16:22

 
Very good point dude: public hygiene systems are very badly designed, it's unacceptable!
But you're wrong on one point: there is NO good reason why things are the way they are (immediate equipment cost is the reason, which is a bad one).

P.S. to all: F.U. with your money/advertising considerations! Just let the guy say what he has to say!
*kaiser  24-Jan-2010 13:31

 
I agree ,how sad that you have to advertise in this manner, why don't you pay like the rest of us.
*GM  14-Dec-2009 17:46

 
Digsy, have you ever actually clicked on "Please read this before you post" above the box for posting comments? Please do so now and you will see that it is site policy. Adverts can be placed on the site for a fee, but among the comments on a gripe (and for free) is not the place!
*grumpyoldwoman  06-Dec-2009 10:07

 
grumpyoldwoman, Please remember that you do not actually own this site. It is not up to you (or me) to say what other users can or cannot do or say.
*Digsy  05-Dec-2009 22:45

 
This is not the place for advertising - take your advert, newbrandguru, and shove it where the sun don't shine!
*grumpyoldwoman  05-Dec-2009 15:40

 
Most modern toilets / bathrooms are a cutting edge environment, automatic taps with sensors, automatic soap dispensers and now Dyson with his amazing air blade to dry your hands in split second... marvelous.

But lets face it, whats the point with all that technology if everyone has to use the same old dirty handle to exit the room.

So is there a solution to this problem other than using your foot or sleeve... yes and its called Wrist-Pull.

Wrist-Pull is a highly innovative yet simple door handle that enables you to exit a room by using your wrist to pull and open the door, therefore eradicating the need for you to you and contaminate your hand or fingers.

The marketing consultancy behind this ingenious product is newbrandguru and we are just in the process of delivering a soft launch campaign with hotels and restaurants across the UK.

For additional information, images or a press release, please contact Sam Lutman-Pauc at newbrandguru (0844 445 7790) studio@newbrandguru.com
*newbrandguru  04-Dec-2009 21:54

 
Do you know what, germs aren't necessarily a bad thing, they help to build up your immune system.
*meh.  10-Oct-2009 17:20


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