We asked public health experts how to use a toilet seat cover correctly—and whether it's actually necessary
The last time I needed to use a public restroom, I faced two unappealing options: I could either get in my leg workout for the day and squat over the toilet, or I could sit straight on the germ-filled seat, trusting that the cleaning crew disinfected recently. Thankfully, I lucked out and spotted toilet seat covers in my stall. The problem? Was I using those handy liners correctly to actually protect me from germs? It got me thinking that I could use some guidance on how to use a toilet seat cover the right way.
For advice on all things germs, I chatted with microbiologist Charles Gerba, PhD, and public health expert David Gimeno Ruiz de Porras, PhD. They gave the lowdown on why toilet seat covers exist, how useful they actually are at blocking germs—and the surprising method to apply one correctly.
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The truth about toilet seat covers
Toilet seat covers seem like paper protectors, keeping germs from touching our bare skin while we do our business. But just how effective are they? While many people think that the liners block germs and bacteria, it turns out they’re not as effective as you might assume. Toilet seat covers are porous, allowing microorganisms to pass through them and onto your skin, according to Gimeno Ruiz de Porras.
That said, you can rest assured that the risk of getting sick from sitting on a public toilet seat is quite low. Gimeno Ruiz de Porras, who specializes in occupational hygiene and safety for public spaces, notes that most public toilet seats are typically cleaned more frequently than other parts of the bathroom, like door handles and faucets. They’re also likely to be cleaned more often than you clean your toilet at home.
Whether or not you use a toilet seat cover depends on your personal hygiene preferences, experts say.
When to use a toilet seat cover
Both experts recognize that learning how to use a toilet seat cover makes people feel safer when using public restrooms, and not having to depend on the restroom’s cleaning schedule can really put your mind at ease. Gimeno Ruiz de Porras recommends using one if the toilet seat looks dirty, while Gerba advises using one if you have any open wounds or cuts on your legs or bottom that could become infected.
How to use a toilet seat cover
@.andoeni Super random but learning this changed the game for me hahaha i went years using the toilet seat cover wrong 😂 #lifehack #toiletseatcover ♬ original sound – a n d o e n i
Don’t be deterred if you want to use a toilet seat cover. Just make sure you’re using it the right way. News flash: There’s a good chance you’re laying it down incorrectly!
Here’s how to use a toilet seat liner the right way:
- Pull a toilet seat cover from the holder.
- Tear off the small attachments holding the flap on each side of the liner.
- Place the liner on top of the U-shaped toilet seat, with the flap hanging into the bowl from the front of the toilet, not the back. That way, the liner will cover the entire seat.
- When you finish using the bathroom, simply flush the toilet to dispose of the cover. Since the flap is already in the water, the entire liner will be pulled into the toilet with the flush.
FAQs
What is the point of a toilet seat cover?
It’s unlikely that you will contract a disease or illness from a toilet seat, but toilet seat covers provide peace of mind to anyone who feels queasy about using a public restroom.
Sound relatable? You’re in good company; in a 2020 study published in the Journal of Urology, more than a quarter of women said they squatted when using a public restroom if toilet liners weren’t available. That’s why many public bathrooms still offer those handy liners: so that people feel a little bit cleaner when using the toilet.
Can you use multiple toilet seat covers for extra protection?
An extra toilet seat cover may not offer additional protection beyond what a single cover can. As our experts pointed out, the liners’ pores are larger than bacteria and viruses, which means they can’t block all germs. However, feel free to use a toilet seat liner for your own peace of mind.
What should you do if there are no toilet seat covers available?
Clean the seat with toilet paper (or disinfectant wipes if you have them handy). At the very least, make sure there’s nothing liquid or solid on the seat—it’s absolutely fine to pick a different stall if there is.
You can feel good about the fact that the chances of contracting a disease from sitting on a toilet seat are pretty low. The seats are generally cleaned regularly. In fact, you’re more likely to encounter bacteria on your smartphone.
Can you flush toilet seat covers?
Toilet seat covers are designed to be flushable, according to Gimeno Ruiz de Porras. But keep in mind that “just because products are labeled ‘flushable’ does not mean they are safe for your drain system,” he says. Older sewer systems and systems with septic tanks aren’t designed to handle any products but toilet paper, and that includes toilet seat covers and feminine products. In that case, you should simply place them in a trash can.
What is the flap on the toilet seat cover for?
Simply put, the flap makes it easier to flush the liner when you’re done. Think about how to use a toilet seat cover: You place the liner on the seat so the flap lands in the water. When you flush, the water will tug the flap down the toilet, and the rest of the paper will follow.
What common items contain more bacteria than a public toilet seat?
Toilet seats contain fewer bacteria than many other items we touch throughout the day, including smartphones, according to the Journal of Urology study. Gerba’s research on viruses and antibiotic-resistant bacteria backs this up. “In our studies, we found more fecal bacteria on cutting boards in the home kitchen (due to raw meat products and cleaning sponges) than toilet seats,” he says.
A 2025 study also found that, when traveling, you’re better off avoiding your suitcase wheel than public toilet seats. Talk about a contaminated zone: This germy travel item contains 58 times more bacteria than a public toilet!
About the experts
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Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece on how to use a toilet seat cover, Brooke Nelson tapped her experience as a longtime writer and reporter. Then, cleaning expert Ann Russell, author of How to Clean Everything, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. For this piece, we relied on reputable primary sources, including cleaning and health experts and reputable government agencies. We verified all facts and data and backed them with credible sourcing, and we will revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Charles Gerba, PhD, professor of microbiology and public health at the University of Arizona; email interview, Dec. 21, 2023
- David Gimeno Ruiz de Porras, PhD, chair of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Texas School of Public Health in San Antonio; email interview, Dec. 20, 2023
- The Journal of Urology: “Women’s perceptions of public restrooms and the relationships with toileting behaviors and bladder symptoms: a cross-sectional study”
