Why sharing bathroom basics isn’t a good idea
When you’re away from home and forget your towel, razor, or toothbrush, the instinct to borrow is common. Yet experts say it’s best not to make a habit of sharing personal hygiene items. Microbes—bacteria, viruses, and fungi—can cling to cloth, plastic, and metal for extended periods, and warm, moist bathroom conditions help them survive and multiply.
1) Towels: more than just damp fabric
Towels may seem innocuous, but sharing them can raise your risk of skin infections. Some studies link towel sharing to higher rates of staph infections, including antibiotic-resistant strains. In environments where towels are used on rough skin or open cuts, the chances of transmission increase. When you shower, soap helps remove many microbes from the surface of your skin, but it doesn’t sterilize your towel. If a towel harbors bacteria or fungi, you may become colonized with pathogens even if you don’t develop an infection right away. The takeaway: use your own towel whenever possible, and hang it to dry fully to reduce microbial growth.
2) Razors: a sharp risk with every shave
Razors are hard surfaces that can carry microbes from one person to another. Sharing a razor risks transmitting blood-borne viruses if there are minor nicks or cuts during shaving. It’s not only about visible blood; microscopic amounts can carry infectious agents. Dermatologists emphasize that personal grooming tools should be used by one person and stored separately. If you’re in a pinch, a disposable razor is a cleaner short-term option, but avoid rotating it among several people. The practical rule: protect yourself from potential infections by keeping your own razor within reach.
3) Toothbrushes: saliva isn’t a good carrier either
Your toothbrush comes into contact with saliva, a rich medium for microbes. Contaminants can include bacteria like Staphylococcus, E. coli, and Pseudomonas, and viruses such as HSV-1 (which causes cold sores) may be present on plastic toothbrushs. HSV-1 can remain viable on plastic for days, and sharing a toothbrush can introduce pathogens directly to your mouth and gums, potentially triggering infections. While a toothbrush isn’t always a clear or immediate danger, it’s safer to use your own. If you’re forced to borrow, consider thoroughly rinsing and disinfecting or using a new brush as soon as you can obtain one.
Who’s most at risk?
People with cuts or grazes have a higher risk of infection because those minor entries provide easy portals for microbes. Reduced immune function also raises risk: babies, older adults, people taking immune-suppressing medications, and individuals with chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes. While the overall chance of infection from a one-off sharing incident is low, the cumulative effect of repeated sharing raises the odds of colonization by antibiotic-resistant species and harder-to-treat infections.
Practical tips for safe sharing (if ever necessary)
- Carry your own towel, razor, and toothbrush whenever possible.
- If you must borrow, limit contact and avoid using shared items on areas with open wounds or mucous membranes.
- Clean and dry bathroom surfaces regularly, and ensure good ventilation to reduce microbial growth.
- Consider travel redundancy—pack extra essentials when you’re away from home for extended periods.
Bottom line
While a one-time scenario might not lead to an infection, habitual sharing of towels, razors, or toothbrushes isn’t worth the risk. Personal hygiene items are best kept individual and properly maintained to minimize exposure to opportunistic pathogens. Your future self—and anyone you share a bathroom with—will thank you.
