Many flight attendants advise against using toilet paper in airplane restrooms, except in emergencies.
Brenda, a flight attendant from Miami, often shares travel tips on TikTok. Recently, she revealed surprising insights about flying. Brenda advised viewers to avoid using toilet paper and instead use personal napkins because the former poses several potential health risks.
Airplane restrooms are among the places with high bacteria levels. (Image: Toilet Guru).
The flight attendant explained that if the plane suddenly encounters turbulence, water from the holding tank can splatter onto rolls of toilet paper. Additionally, when male passengers use the restroom, urine can accidentally splatter onto the toilet paper rolls, which may dry up and go unnoticed by subsequent users. Although this doesn’t happen often, the risk remains. Therefore, Brenda recommends that everyone prepare personal napkins or wet wipes when using airplane restrooms to protect their health and avoid the risk of infection.
Another flight attendant, Cierra Mistt, shared similar advice on TikTok, warning passengers about the risks associated with toilet paper in airplane restrooms. Generally, restrooms are cleaned quickly before each flight, sometimes merely taking out the trash and doing a quick wipe down. After takeoff, the restroom is checked every 30 minutes or longer; however, in case of emergencies, this may not be prioritized. Thus, passengers should be cautious about cleaning and protecting their health when using restroom facilities.
You should bring personal wipes instead of using public toilet paper. (Image: Toilet Guru).
This information shocked many viewers, prompting them to consider always bringing their toilet paper in their carry-on luggage. “Why didn’t you say this sooner? I could have been flying my whole life without knowing this. Thank God I always carry wipes,” commented one user. Bringing wipes for sanitation should not only apply on airplanes but also in other public places.
Flight attendants also recommend not going barefoot in airplane restrooms even if they “look quite clean.” Additionally, some users suggested wearing masks even while in the restroom. “Airplane restrooms are basically like a closet, with no clean air, no windows, and poor ventilation. This means every time you enter, you risk inhaling various harmful bacteria,” commented another user.
