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Should you close or leave the bathroom door open when not in use? Avoiding the risk of bacterial invasion

The bathroom is a damp, confined space with poor ventilation, so many people choose to open the bathroom door to let in fresh air after use. However, this is a habit that is not good for human health.

Administrator

18 March, 2024

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The bathroom is a damp and cramped space with poor ventilation, so many people choose to leave the bathroom door open to ventilate after use. However, this is a habit that is not good for human health.

Closing the bathroom door after use is better

After using the bathroom, there are many bacteria and odors in the air. However, if we choose to open the door at this time, the bacteria and odors in the bathroom will have a chance to spread into the house, affecting the health especially of the elderly and young children.

It is best to close the door after bathing when not in use and turn on the ventilation fan. You can also open windows in the house, not only to keep the room dry, but also to prevent bacteria and moisture from entering the room. In case the space in the house is too small to have a separate bathroom, you can make a shower curtain to separate the dry/wet area, both to extend the lifespan of devices and cabinets in the bathroom.

Closing the bathroom door after use is better

Bad habits to avoid in the bathroom

+ Placing air fresheners in the bathroom

Some people like to place various scented substances in the bathroom to eliminate odors, but most of these fragrances are chemical compounds, and long-term absorption is not good for the body. Disinfectants have unstable composition and rapid evaporation rate. Especially in a relatively closed environment with high temperature and humidity, chlorine, phenol, and other substances in disinfectants will decompose more quickly and you will inhale a lot of compounds without knowing. It is best to place disinfectants in a well-ventilated, dark, and cool place to slow down the evaporation rate.

+ Placing toothbrushes next to the toilet

The sink is usually placed next to the toilet. But the toilet is always a breeding ground for invisible bacteria. Therefore, remember to place your toothbrush in a well-ventilated and dry place, away from the toilet, or in a cabinet inside the bathroom.

+ Placing skincare and cosmetic products in the bathroom

You often put all skincare products and cosmetics in the bathroom for convenience. However, this is something you should avoid. The bathroom environment is too closed, with high temperature and humidity, which is a place where bacteria can grow and can affect the health of your skin.

+ Placing uncovered trash cans in the bathroom

Trash cans contain a lot of dirt because they have to contain various types of waste, especially trash cans in the bathroom. Because the bathroom space is small and low humidity, bacteria will grow stronger. So try to buy trash cans with lids and replace them regularly.

Some ways to deal with bathroom odors

Bathroom odors mainly come from the toilet and floor drains, so you need to solve the problem thoroughly from these two sources.

+ Eliminating toilet odors

Toilets have unpleasant odors often caused by accumulated dirt inside the toilet bowl. You can solve it as follows:

Step 1: Cut one end of a disposable face mask to create a small bag. If you don’t have this type of face mask, you can also use old stockings.

Step 2: Put leftover soap inside the bag. Tie the mouth of the bag with the mask strap to create a soap bag.

Step 3: Place the soap bag in the toilet tank for easy removal of odors.

+ Eliminating floor drain odors

The drain pipe connected to the floor drain is often not cleaned for a long time, leading to dirt buildup such as hair, dust… These substances will cause odors and bacteria growth. You can solve the problem as follows:

Step 1: Pour hot water into the drain.

Step 2: Then pour some baking soda and a few drops of dishwashing liquid into a cup/bowl, add hot water and pour the solution into the drain.

Step 3: Then pour some vinegar into the drain. You will see the vinegar and baking soda react with each other, producing a lot of foam. Leave it for 10 minutes.

Step 4: After 10 minutes, pour hot water into the drain and flush.

Frequently asked questions

– Avoid placing air fresheners, as they often contain chemical compounds that are harmful when absorbed over time.
– Don’t keep your toothbrush next to the toilet; bacteria breed in this environment and can affect your dental hygiene.
– Skincare and cosmetic products should not be stored in the bathroom due to the high temperature and humidity, which can affect their quality and your skin’s health.
– Always use a trash can with a lid in the bathroom to contain bacteria and reduce unpleasant odors.

To eliminate toilet odors, create a small bag using a disposable face mask or old stockings, fill it with soap, and place it in the toilet tank. For floor drain odors, pour hot water, followed by a mixture of baking soda, dishwashing liquid, and vinegar down the drain. This will react and foam, clearing any blockages and eliminating odors.