Tricks to avoiding germs that actually don’t work

If you try to avoid germs by using your foot to flush public toilets or your knuckle to press elevator buttons, prepare to be disappointed. Here’s what doesn’t work – and what really does – according to hygiene experts.

You may feel more comfortable in public toilets when you can place that thin sheet of paper between the bare toilet seat and your bare behind, but in reality, you might as well sit straight down. Those toilet seat covers, which are often made of tissue paper, are absorbent, and any bacteria or liquids will quickly be wicked up to your butt. But don’t fret. Your skin is all the protection you need. Any potentially problematic bacteria you might pick up would have to find a way into your body through an open wound or, more likely, your hands.

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Everyone does it – scoop up a snack, dummy or utensil that just hit the floor and claim that it’s OK thanks to the “five-second rule.” Research shows, however, that this bit of wisdom is a myth. Yes, the longer something stays in contact with a dirty surface, the more bacteria it will pick up. But germs can be picked up in as little as one second, so wash it or toss it – the damage is done.

Creating a block between a germy door handle and your hands is a good idea, but your own shirt sleeve isn’t ideal, says Jessica Pettit with statefoodsafety.com. “Using your own clothing, such as a shirt sleeve, to open doors doesn’t actually help you avoid germs, because any bacteria that are on the door handle will just move to your clothing,” she says. “It can hold on to pathogens easily, and the moment your hands brush against the clothing, they will become contaminated.” Your best bet is to use something disposable, like a paper towel, she adds.

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Some people, in an effort to avoid bacteria and viruses on public surfaces, will use the back of their hands, forearms or even elbows to touch surfaces. That’s an admirable effort but not very effective, says Nidhi Ghildayal, PhD, an infectious disease researcher. “The thought process behind this habit is likely that less skin is being exposed to the unwanted germy surface,” she says, “but the back of your hand, just like your front, also has a likelihood of subsequently touching your face or other vulnerable areas. So using the back of your hand may or may not actually be helping you.”

“Flush handles do harbour a lot of bacteria,” Ghildayal says, “but it’s partially due to individuals using their feet rather than their hands to flush. The floor and the bottom of your shoes are generally some of the dirtiest parts of a bathroom.” You can skip this precaution because what’s the next thing you’ll do after flushing? That’s right – wash your hands, which is the best way to avoid transferring bugs.

Another reason to skip this habit, says Ghildayal, is that the bacteria you’re trying to avoid are likely already dead. “Gut bacteria don’t thrive for long on the cold, smooth surfaces of public restrooms, such as bathroom fixtures, as this environment is quite different than inside the human body.”

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“Remember when someone last sneezed or coughed in your face and you instinctively held your breath for the germs to pass?” asks Caleb Backe, a health and wellness expert. “Unless you can manage to rapidly move away from the affected area, the chances of holding your breath long enough to avoid any germs are slim.” The bigger issue is – ick – any droplets that transfer from the sick person to you. Most germs transfer through the hands, so the next time you scratch your nose or rub your eyes, you’ll be giving the germs entry to your body.

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Keeping your house clean will help protect you and your family from infectious bugs. However, you may be doing more harm than good if you’re hurriedly wiping down multiple surfaces with one antibacterial wipe. You may end up spreading bacteria around the room if you don’t frequently swap to a fresh wipe; look closely at the directions and you’ll probably see that the surface should stay wet for four or more minutes after wiping if you want them to clean properly. Plus, some harmful bacteria survive a cursory swipe – they need a more potent solution to knock them out.

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Slipping on a pair of gloves to grip potentially grimy handles, doorknobs or poles may not achieve what you’re hoping. The material is most likely absorbent, and many of the bacteria and viruses you’re coming into contact with may live just as long on fabric gloves as they do on your hand. When you pull them off or put them back on, you’ll still pick up living germs on your bare hands. Even worse: gripping the fingertip of a glove with your mouth to take it off.

While these gels are handy when you don’t have access to soap and water, too much sanitising with these products may actually be bad for your health, Ghildayal says. “While many hand sanitisers have been found to be just as effective as hand-washing,” she says, “overuse can cause your natural skin bacteria to be stripped away, and that leaves you more vulnerable to other bacteria.”