It is strange that even in the busiest of places in India it is difficult to find a clean bathroom. In fact, finding a clean and hygienic toilet in India is almost as difficult as trying to find water on Mars. The possibility of finding a clean hygienic toilet sounds more like heaven which is far away only in our imagination. Finding a clean bathroom or a toilet is like the life’s greatest adventures especially in India. It is easier for men though who very comfortable tend to pee on the roadside. But women and girls have to bear the burden of this basic necessity that is the availability of clean public toilets. Public toilets are either too dirty or unhygienic to use or lack enough water or do not offer adequate privacy. This compels them to either restrict their water or food intake or risk open urination and defecation, all of which can lead to adverse health outcomes such as problems in their kidney, bladder, a bacterial infection in the urinary tract and overall body system. While traveling searching for a clean public toilet is also one impossible task. Toilets are either very poorly maintained or not easily accessible. On Indian highways, toilets are mostly found in petrol stations or in restaurants, where maintenance is again a hit or miss affair, mostly a miss in reality.
Female hygiene in India especially washroom hygiene is a basic need but it is not considered important.
Washrooms are a haven for gastrointestinal and respiratory pathogens; a person can unknowingly contaminate their hands by touching washroom surfaces including flush levers, taps and door handles. The toilet is a humid area due to the amount of water in the cistern, and as we know - germs love a humid environment to breed in. Bacteria’s like E.Coli in the toilet absorb organic waste and release gases which smell bad. Hence toilet hygiene is extremely important and they need to be cleaned daily.
Important tips when we visit a public toilet
- Use those paper towels: Use a paper towel to turn on the faucet and also while opening the handles of the toilet door.
- Disinfect the toilet seat: Use Toilet Seat Sanitizers Sprays to disinfect the toilet seats. They are easy to use and protect you from germs on the toilet seat. You can also use the other essential female hygiene products like wipes to keep infections at bay.
- Beware of the flush: If you see someone walking out of a stall the germs from their flush will probably still be there in the air. Wait for few seconds before you use the toilet seat.
- Protect your personal items: Never ever put your phone on the floor not even for a second. As soon as your cell or purse hits that surface, it potentially becomes a carrier for bacteria and spreads it wherever you put it down next. Always hang your purse or bag on the hook on the back of the door.
- Wash your hands: Washing hands after every time you visit a toilet is a standard hygiene rule.You can also use an alcohol-free natural hand sanitizer PalmSafe. A hand sanitizer spray helps keep germs at bay with PeeSafe essential female hygiene products finding a clean toilet is no more an adventure.
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✍️ This article was curated by Anshu Bhatia and was first published on SafetyKart on 4th Dec 2017
