If you go into a public restroom these days, chances are you’ll see toilet seat covers available in the box next to the wall next to the toilet itself. We are led to suppose that using one of these things will create a barrier between the user and any nasty bacteria lurking on the seat and protect us from possible infection or disease.

But do they really work? And are they worth the time and trouble to use — and presumably, the expense for the owner of the facility?

Well, to begin with, it’s not unusual to go into a public restroom and find that the previous user has not left the facilities in pristine condition. In a situation like this, you’re left with the job of cleaning the seat at the very least before you can use it yourself. Having seat covers available provides just a little bit of reassurance that there’s something between you and the seat, even if it’s only a flimsy piece of paper.

April writes a very amusing post about using toilet seat covers on her blog that may bring a smile to your face — and which talks about some of the practical problems associated with using these things, and why many of us feel obliged to avoid sitting on a bare seat in a public facility.

But does providing seat covers contributes to a cleaner, safer environment? At least these disposable paper covers can be flushed away after use if they are made of the same biodegradable material as ordinary toilet paper. I’ve also seen plastic toilet seat covers in Europe that automatically slide a fresh layer over the seat after each use from a small machine located near the toilet seat hinges — although that’s presents a different issue from the point of view of eco-friendly disposal.

Finally, if the question of hygiene in public bathrooms is one that really concerns you, I suppose you could always travel with your own covers to use in an emergency. We note that Urban Outfitters now produces a small tin of four covers you can carry in a bag or purse — and for kids, you can even find disposable stick-in-place seat covers
that you can take on your next family trip to the zoo, the shopping mall or wherever.

At the very least, these toilet seat covers are likely to make those emergency bathroom trips a more comfortable experience.