No matter where you live, chances are your bathroom is the most highly-trafficked room in the house. Despite the small amount of space it occupies, there’s no denying that it deserves the most attention. And yet so many bad bathroom habits become a part of the typical routine—even when we don’t necessarily realize it. There are plenty of big changes you can make to guide you towards a healthy lifestyle.
But there are also small changes you can make from the smallest room in your home that will make a big difference. With that in mind, here are a few common bad bathroom habits that you should be aware of:
Leaving the Toothbrush on the Counter
It’s no secret that the bathroom isn’t always the cleanest place in the home. However, many people still have a habit of placing their toothbrushes directly on the bathroom vanity.
But the fact is, even when it looks clean, this is still a bad idea. Leaving your toothbrush on the sink makes it susceptible to the bacteria on the sink surface, and also makes it easier to get knocked down onto other bacteria-rich surfaces.
Toothbrushes that are placed too close to your sink can also be accidentally splashed while washing your hands. In fact, your toothbrush can even get sprayed by toilet water if it’s too close to the toilet.
Taking Electronics Into the Bathroom
A survey conducted by Verizon found that 90% of people take gadgets into the bathroom with them. This is a bad habit that many people should be aware of. Germs from the toilet and the surrounding area of will easily end up on your hands and phone.
Therefore, even when you wash your hands, you could risk those germs being transferred back to you when you touch your phone again.
While you may pay attention to how you sanitize your hands and body, chances are you aren’t giving the same attention to how you sanitize your phone.
In fact, one study found that your cell phone has ten times more germs than a toilet seat. Keep this in mind next time you take your bathroom to the toilet with you.
Letting Go of Small Leaks
Small leaks may not seem like the biggest deal, but they signify a much bigger problem. Toilet, shower, and sink leaks could pose a serious health and environmental issue if not taken care of.
According to the American Water Works Association (AWWA), toilets are responsible for 27% of a household’s daily water usage.
Another study found that the average household leak accounts for 10,000 gallons of wasted water each year, impacting the earth in significant ways.
A toilet alone can leak for several different areas, and some leaks are more troublesome than others. A leak could turn into a busted water pipe, a high water bill, and even mold complications.
According to Fix It Right plumbing, one of the first things you should do when you notice a leak is turn off your water supply and call a professional immediately—even if it seems minor. Find more info here: www.fixitrightplumbing.com.au/leak-detection-melbourne/.
Flushing With the Toilet Lid Open
Previously, we mentioned how your toothbrush can be sprayed with toilet matter. This is because of the aerolization process. Studies have shown that flushing with the toilet lid open actually aerosolizes your toilet water, converting into a fine mist that thinly emits it into the environment.
This spray has a radius of between five and six feet. Aerosol droplets that have been produced by the toilet can integrate with the air in the room, while larger droplets settle into and dry on surfaces.
Hanging Wet Towels in the Bathroom
After you’ve used a towel, the most natural place to put it might seem like the rack in your bathroom. After all, the rack is for hanging towels. However, this isn’t the best place for wet towels. Because of the bacteria and humidity in the bathroom, it’s not an ideal environment for moist cloth.
Mold and mildew can easily become trapped in wet towels, and it’s difficult to get out the smell. Instead, take it out of the bathroom so you can hang it on a fresh, dry spot.
If you can’t or don’t want to have drying racks or hooks outside of the bathroom, be sure to leave your door open and the bathroom fan running to circulate air and keep the bathroom dry after you’ve left.
Not Washing Your Back
As you know, it’s important for you to wash your body regularly to restrict bacterial growth and keep your skin fresh and clean.
However, there are several parts of the body that people often miss or skim over, and the back is easily the most common place.
Chances are, you’re not giving your back the attention it deserves because it’s out of reach from your arms.
Use an exfoliating back scrubber or back brush to get to those hard-to-reach areas of your back. This will reduce the risk of developing soft-tissue and skin infections.
For example, if you don’t wash your back properly, you might be at risk of developing dermatosis neglecta, a skin condition that occurs because of the buildup of dirt, sweat, and oil.
