To everyone worried about the hygiene of their toothbrushes when kept in bathrooms with toilets, watch this episode of mythbusters:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeAOC3A0xJ8
It shows that toothbrushes will indeed be contaminated with bacteria (fecal coliforms) and that flushing with the lid down and keeping your toothbrush away from toilets is indeed better. HOWEVER, it also shows that there are bacteria on the control toothbrushes that were nowhere near the bathroom. So your toothbrushes will be contaminated with fecal coliforms either way.
This is not necessarily a bad thing though!
Helyn
Yes, not to mention lots of people here in flats/units/older houses - heck, even newer houses like ours often have toilet in ensuite.
Amazingly, since I started new job 14 months ago (and have lived in house with toilet in ensuite all that time) havent had a day off sick yet.
I guess us humans are a tougher lot than we give ourselves credit for
Amazingly, since I started new job 14 months ago (and have lived in house with toilet in ensuite all that time) havent had a day off sick yet.
I guess us humans are a tougher lot than we give ourselves credit for
As Helyn fully correctly points out, humans are perfectly capable of dealing with a few bacteria - that is what we have an immune system for! Being exposed to all kinds of bacteria (including fecal coliforms) is even good for us as it keeps the immune system active and ready to fight bigger infections AND prevents it from turning onto itself causing allergies.
One of my biggest hates are these antibacterial cleaning products. A complete waste of money! Hygenic and clean does not mean sterile!