6 ugly washroom habits you are guilty of

We spend quite a fair bit of time in washrooms, especially at work where a good 8 hours of time is dedicated in our office. Because of the emphasis in driving productivity and work excellence, we tend to be always in a hurry, and washroom habits and activities are always being taken for granted. Here are some common poor washroom habits that place us at risks of health and safety.

#1 Exiting washroom without washing hands

We are always in a hurry. Rushing off for a meeting, lunch appointment or finishing off an assignment. By prioritizing urgent issues on hand and omitting hygiene needs can be putting us at bacteria and germs spreading risks. Danger: Productivity and work quality may be compromised due to illnesses from poor hygiene. Tip: Always spend just a mere 20 seconds of proper hand washing to protect yourself from unnecessary work disruptions. Not sure what is the right way of washing? Get your hand wash guide here.

#2 “Drying hands” by flicking excess water off

Do you know damp hands spread 1,000 times more bacteria than dry hands? The quick initial reaction after performing the required washroom needs is to wash your hands in a hurry and rushing out while flicking excess water to the floor, after all moisture can be vaporised in an air-conditioned work space. Danger: Besides cultivating bacteria, which is 1 culprit responsible for illnesses, wet floor can be dangerous to the employees or users’ safety, especially if we are walking in a hurried manner. Tip: Always spend a few seconds in utilising the paper towel or hand dryer to keep your hands dry. Hand drying facilities are missing in your washroom? Good to raise the need to the relevant procurement or building facility management.

#3 Washing hands quickly without soap

There is a misperception that so long as washing hands with running water, you are safe! Daily interactions and frequent surface contacts especially be it in an office, outdoor or public spaces, germs and bacteria contaminating your hands are inevitable. Danger:  Stains, grease and pollutants such as dirt and dust may be stubborn in removal or trap in between fingers. Contaminated hands may transfer virus to more than 5 surfaces or 14 objects. Tip: By lathering your hands in a right manner, it helps improve your personal hygiene. Always use the hand soap with 2 to 3 pumps and adopt the right hand wash steps before rinsing off.

#4 Flushing without covering toilet lid

Natural reaction is to stand up, turn our backs and press the flush button. Flushing the toilet after use is a good habit! However, most people are unaware of “Sneeze effect” that happens each time a toilet a flushed. Danger: Bouts of bacteria are being “sneezed” into the air, and are able to spread to the entire washroom in less than a minute, and survive for up to 24 hours! Tip: Always remember to flush with the lid down or request for sanitisers to be installed in the cubicles for the added protection.

#5 Multi-tasking in cubicle with contact surfaces

Let’s admit! We treat washroom more than just functional space. Our multitasking nature causes us to perform other activities such as rubbing eyes due to eye strain from laptop usage, reading mobile phone messages, arranging our hairdo. Danger: Especially in a cubicle where there are more than 3 bacteria hot spots, the risks of transferring these germs and bacteria to our sensitive parts of our face and body is very high. Tip: Save the multitasking activities at your work station and keep contact to your face a minimal. If there is a toilet seat cleaner, good to use before sitting down on the toilet.

#6 Wiping your wet hands on your attire

Even if there is hand drying facilities provided, bad washroom habits by wiping our wet hands after wash against ourselves are always committed. Convenient, quick and easy, this washroom mistake may deliver more consequences and implications. Danger: Besides not drying our hands in an appropriate manner that results in damp hands that promotes bacteria, our clothes are actually filled with germs and bacteria as we spend our day at work and coming into contact with various contaminants. From high traffic lobby, outdoor, food court with food preparation and waste, to office utilities, we may be just transferring these risks back to our damp wets. Tip: Use a paper towel dispenser or hand dryer to dry our hands, and why not use a hand sanitiser after exiting the washroom to heighten your hygiene standards.

Not sure if your washroom is well equipped with these facilities to optimise your users’ hygiene, speak to our hygiene specialist, a complimentary site inspection is also provided to access your washroom hygiene standards.