Most people think they have good bathroom hygiene down to a science. After all, you brush your teeth, wash your hands, and keep things relatively clean. But chances are, you’re making several mistakes that could be affecting your health in ways you never imagined. From how you store your toothbrush to the way you sit on the toilet, these seemingly innocent habits might be doing more harm than good.
Using one toothbrush for morning and night
That single toothbrush sitting in your bathroom cup might seem perfectly normal, but it’s actually harboring bacteria between uses. When you brush your teeth and put your toothbrush away while it’s still damp, bacteria begins to multiply in the bristles. This process happens quickly, especially in humid bathroom environments where moisture lingers in the air. The problem gets worse when your toothbrush is stored near the toilet, where airborne particles can settle on the bristles throughout the day.
Dental experts recommend having two separate toothbrushes – one for morning use and one for nighttime. This allows each brush to dry completely for 24 hours between uses, effectively eliminating the bacteria that thrives in moist environments. While this might seem excessive, the investment in a second toothbrush is minimal compared to potential dental problems. Make sure to store both brushes upright in a well-ventilated area, away from the toilet and shower steam.
Flushing the toilet with the lid up
Every time you flush with the toilet lid open, you’re creating an invisible spray of contaminated water droplets that can travel up to six feet in all directions. This phenomenon, known as toilet plume, sends microscopic particles containing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens into the air where they can land on nearby surfaces. Your toothbrush, towels, and even your face towel become contaminated with these particles, creating a cycle of recontamination every time you use these items.
The simple solution is to always close the toilet lid before flushing. This single action can reduce airborne contamination by up to 90%. Make it a habit for everyone in your household, and you’ll significantly reduce the spread of harmful microorganisms throughout your bathroom. It’s especially important in shared bathrooms where multiple people’s germs can cross-contaminate through this airborne pathway.
Hovering over the toilet seat instead of sitting
Many people, particularly in public restrooms, choose to hover over the toilet seat rather than sit down. While this might seem more hygienic, it actually creates problems for your pelvic floor muscles and bladder function. When you hover, your leg, hip, and pelvic floor muscles remain tense and contracted, making it difficult to fully empty your bladder. This incomplete emptying can lead to urinary tract infections and other complications over time.
The hovering position also trains your body to associate urination with a semi-squatting stance, which can lead to accidental leakage when you’re in similar positions during daily activities. Instead of hovering, take a moment to wipe down the seat with disinfecting wipes or toilet paper, then sit down properly. This allows your muscles to relax completely, ensuring better bladder emptying and reducing strain on your pelvic floor.
Pushing or straining to speed up bathroom visits
When you’re in a hurry, it’s tempting to push or strain to speed up the process of urination or bowel movements. This “power peeing” or straining disrupts the natural communication between your brain and bladder or bowel muscles. Your bladder is designed to contract naturally while your pelvic floor relaxes, but forcing the process interferes with this delicate coordination. Over time, this can lead to dysfunction in how your body processes waste elimination.
Instead of rushing, take a few deep breaths and allow your body to work naturally. Consider using a bathroom stool to elevate your feet, which helps your pelvic floor muscles relax. This position is more natural for elimination and can actually make the process more efficient than straining. Remember that your body knows how to do this job – you just need to give it the time and proper positioning to work effectively.
Holding your bladder for hours at a time
Teachers, nurses, and parents are notorious for holding their bladder for extended periods, sometimes going five or six hours between bathroom breaks. This habit disrupts the natural communication system between your bladder and brain. Your bladder has stretch receptors that signal when it’s time to empty, but consistently ignoring these signals can make the receptors less sensitive over time. This can lead to problems recognizing when you actually need to go.
The ideal bathroom schedule involves emptying your bladder every three to four hours, or about six to eight times per day. Holding it longer than four hours (except during sleep) can increase your risk of urinary tract infections and bladder dysfunction. If you’re someone who regularly forgets to take bathroom breaks, set gentle reminders on your phone or water bottle with time markers to encourage regular hydration and elimination breaks.
Going to the bathroom just in case
Before leaving the house, going to bed, or starting a long meeting, many people make a quick bathroom stop “just in case” – even when they don’t feel the urge to go. This seemingly practical habit actually confuses your bladder’s natural filling and emptying cycle. Your bladder learns to expect emptying before it’s actually full, which can create artificial urgency and more frequent bathroom trips throughout the day.
Instead of preventive bathroom trips, trust your body’s natural signals and only go when you actually feel the need. Public restrooms are widely available, and your bladder is designed to hold urine for several hours comfortably. If you’re worried about long car trips, plan stops based on actual need rather than arbitrary timing. This helps maintain your bladder’s natural capacity and prevents the development of overactive bladder symptoms that can disrupt your daily routine.
Rushing to the bathroom when you feel the urge
When you feel that sudden “gotta go” sensation, your instinct might be to drop everything and rush to the bathroom. However, this panicked response actually reinforces your brain’s perception that every urge is an emergency. The rushed movement, quick unbuttoning of clothes, and immediate sitting creates a stress response that can make urgency symptoms worse over time. Your brain begins to interpret normal bladder signals as crisis situations requiring immediate action.
When you feel urgency, stop what you’re doing and take several deep breaths instead of rushing. Do a few quick pelvic floor contractions, which actually help relax your bladder muscles. Distract yourself briefly with another activity or gentle self-massage. Once the initial urgency passes, walk calmly to the bathroom. This approach retrains your brain to recognize that bladder signals are normal body functions, not emergencies requiring panic responses.
Leaving your toothbrush near the sink and shower
That convenient spot right next to your bathroom sink might seem like the logical place for your toothbrush, but it’s actually one of the worst locations in your bathroom. The area around sinks and showers stays humid longer after use, and steam from hot showers creates an ideal environment for bacterial growth. Additionally, this location puts your toothbrush directly in the path of airborne particles from toilet flushing and other bathroom activities.
Store your toothbrush at least six feet away from the toilet, preferably in a well-ventilated area where it can dry completely between uses. Consider using a ventilated toothbrush holder that allows air circulation around the bristles. Avoid enclosed containers or caps that trap moisture, as these create perfect breeding grounds for harmful bacteria. If your bathroom layout doesn’t allow for ideal placement, consider storing your toothbrush in a bedroom or hallway location instead.
Using the same towel for weeks without washing
Just because your towel feels dry doesn’t mean it’s clean. Towels that hang in humid bathroom environments for more than a week begin accumulating bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, even if they appear and smell fine. Dead skin cells, soap residue, and moisture create an ideal environment for microbial growth. The problem is compounded when towels are hung on hooks that prevent proper air circulation, keeping them damp longer than necessary.
Replace your bathroom towels with fresh ones at least once a week, regardless of how they look or smell. Hang them on towel bars rather than hooks to ensure proper air circulation and faster drying. Keep humidity levels low in your bathroom by using exhaust fans during and after showers. Having multiple sets of towels allows you to rotate them regularly while maintaining a supply of clean, dry towels for daily use.
Breaking these common bathroom habits might feel awkward at first, but the benefits to your health and hygiene are worth the adjustment period. Small changes like closing the toilet lid, using two toothbrushes, and following your body’s natural bathroom schedule can make a significant difference in your overall well-being. Start with one or two changes and gradually incorporate the others into your routine for lasting improvement.
