​These five common bathroom habits could be making you sick

​These five common bathroom habits could be making you sick

Cleaning your bathroom regularly is important, especially in the present times. But you might be unknowingly spreading germs all around the house through some of your not-so-great bathroom habits.

Because the bathroom is often considered the germiest place in the house, it tends to get the most attention when it comes to cleaning. While we pay the most attention in cleaning the bathroom floor and pot, what often gets missed is hand hygiene.

Here are some of the most common mistakes that increase the risk of spreading germs around the house.

​Scrolling through Instagram/Facebook while sitting on the toilet seat:

We all are guilty of using our phones while sitting on the toilet seat. This habit is gross. Your bathroom should be a phone-free zone. Germs including the faecal matter are released into the air, which can land on your phone surfaces, spreading them outside the bathroom.

​Not washing your hands properly:

Washing your hands properly is the most cost-effective and efficient way to prevent getting sick and the best way to get rid of germs on hands. Washing your hands incorrectly can bring germs with you outside the bathroom.

Wash your hand with soap and water/hand wash for at least 20 seconds to get rid of all the germs. If you can't keep a track of time, sing "Happy Birthday' twice. Do not forget to scrub under your nails, an area that can harbour germs.

​Skipping the hand sanitizer:

Though there is no substitute for hand washing, if you are outside and can't find a bar of soap, use water to clean your hands and then use hand sanitizer. Sanitizer can go a long way in keeping your hands germ-free.

​Sharing one towel for the whole family:

The paper towels that you find in public washrooms are actually much better at controlling the spread of germs than the fabric towels you keep at home. But because installing a paper towel dispenser isn't exactly feasible and environment friendly, change the hand towels frequently. The hand towels should be changed frequently, especially if there are small children in the house.

According to a study published in Applied and Environment Microbiology, air dryers in the public bathroom are not hygienic either. Thus, it is best to keep a hand sanitizer stashed in your purse all the time.