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Loo Roll in Public Toilets

(72 Posts)
Marmight Thu 08-Feb-18 10:52:36

Does anyone else have this problem? Loo rolls in public conveniences are encased in large metal/plastic holders and 9 times out of 10 I find it impossible to find the end/beginning of the roll and have to scrabble about like a hamster until I find it, or not as was the case in Reading Services yesterday. When you do strike lucky and pull, you land up with 2 thin pieces, the end disappears and the hamster game starts all over again blush. Most of the time I am equipped with a pocket full of tissues but there are occasions when I'm not grin ...

Marmight Fri 09-Feb-18 11:50:34

? loving the comments. My school knickers had a pocket where I kept my hankie! Sometimes I think all the paper strewn across the floor is there because ladies have given up trying to access more than 2 flimsy sheets and just chuck them in desperation. As for the seat drips, perhaps they're left from the hovering position or maybe a child with dangly legs endeavouring to hop off. I always try to think the best in people .wink In Australia most doors open outwards in public loos but there is the added danger of being bashed on the head as someone exits. I usually try to leave the facility after handwashing by utilising the elbows which is a bit of a faff and not always possible if the door pulls rather than pushes. On the whole I'd rather cross my legs and whistle than use public loos but needs must on a long journey

JanaNana Fri 09-Feb-18 11:51:22

I think the reason the loo paper is so difficult to unravel is because it's so thin and flimsy and narrow it compresses together quite easily during manufacture plus the big holder it's in adds to the challenge. I reckon us women save them a lot of money on toilet paper by taking our own tissues with us.

Blinko Fri 09-Feb-18 12:15:21

I was once sat on a loo in scrabbling mode, searching for the end of the loo roll, when the big plastic container thing fell off the wall on me. So as well as searching for loo paper, I was holding the plastic thing up out of the way. It's a minefield!

DanniRae Fri 09-Feb-18 12:25:55

Don't read this if eating/have a weak stomach!

I once scrabbled to find start of loo paper in metal container and when I was successful I found the paper all smeared with brown stains - a previous visitor had also had an unsuccessful scrabble I guess!! I definitely use tissues now if the end is not visible shock

Yuck - I've made myself feel sick now!!!

JackyB Fri 09-Feb-18 12:25:58

Am laughing out loud at these stories. Those huge loo roll holders are terrible, but still better than the roll of paper standing on the floor!

lovebeigecardigans1955 Fri 09-Feb-18 13:14:54

Yes, same here, you're definitely not the only one. Like the co-operative person that I am, I like to pull the paper down a bit so that the next person can get hold of it without a struggle. Ditto the towel, if there is one.
I'm sure that toilets are designed without a great deal of thought, aren't you?

goldengirl Fri 09-Feb-18 13:17:37

Been there, done that with loo roll, taps and driers! I'm glad I'm not alone. Perhaps we should form a society for fellow?? scrabblers grin

Luckygirl Fri 09-Feb-18 13:19:49

I was just chatting about this with someone yesterday. Our gripe was the size of toilet cubicles (coupled with all the paraphenalia as outlined above) which are so small that a pregnant woman would finish up stuck in transit so to speak between the door and the wall.

I often use the disabled loos - more room!

JoyBloggs Fri 09-Feb-18 13:49:05

DanniRae shock I'm a squeamish type and that will make me 'scrabble' very carefully in future!
These toilet roll dispensers are a nightmare, I just can't understand how such useless stuff actually gets into production... is it never 'road-tested'?

Dandylion Fri 09-Feb-18 13:49:38

Once again Mawbroom has got it! Wet wipes should never be flushed down the loo - they are made from felted man-made fibres and will last for years in the ocean - that is if they manage to get through the sewers without becoming the basis of a 'fatberg'.... I like the sound of the pocketed knickers, but maybe have enough bumps showing already!

Maru Fri 09-Feb-18 13:59:42

As far as toilet cubicles are concerned, I’m pretty sure they are all designed by men...

carol58 Fri 09-Feb-18 13:59:56

A tiny cubicle with a 'hygenic' disposal bin pressed up against my leg is the thing that gets me! Shuddering just thinking about it...

starlily106 Fri 09-Feb-18 14:10:15

The toilets in the Grainger Market in Newcastle are so high I have to stand on tiptoe to reach the seat, and then shuffle backwards. Frequently 2 or more are out of order, and most of the taps at the basins are not working. The cubicles are so small that it takes a great deal of effort to get in and out if you have shopping bags. As for the toilet rolls, apart from the difficulty finding the ends, they are now about 3 inches wide and almost see through.

Elegran Fri 09-Feb-18 14:16:59

I do hope that everyone is taking up the suggestion seen so often that "These toilets are regularly serviced. Please contact XXXX if you have any comments." If you don't inform those responsible about the faults, they won't know that they need to correct them.

Grandma70s Fri 09-Feb-18 14:26:09

I know wet wipes aren’t flushable, thank you. So I don’t flush them.

grumppa Fri 09-Feb-18 14:32:25

Are general purpose (as opposed to loo roll) tissues flushable?

Mumsyface Fri 09-Feb-18 14:36:45

Pantryliner- Did I really!? Oops, oh dear......how I loathe having my spelling corrected by predictive text/spellchecker/T7.......

And, as for public INconveniences.......!

carol58 Fri 09-Feb-18 14:37:10

I would have thought so grumppa. They seem to be made of much the same stuff as loo roll.

carol58 Fri 09-Feb-18 14:38:26

Hahaha pantryliner, love it! Conjures up all sorts of images..

Mumsyface Fri 09-Feb-18 14:42:00

Yes, if you have a vivid and visual imagination...!

Deed5y Fri 09-Feb-18 14:51:22

Why is it that when you go to a public loo, you push the main door open? When you’re finished and you’ve washed your hands, you then have to leave by pulling the outer door open with your clean hands, hoping therefore that the people before you using that handle have also demonstrated high standards of hygiene. Almost every public loo works like this, including those in hotels, large stores, etc.

Marmight Fri 09-Feb-18 15:08:24

They should be pushable on exit as should other doors from public - and other - buildings, in case of fire..
I'm beginning to think I'll never go to a PL again after these stories. Catheterisation seems the way to go..grin

Katek Fri 09-Feb-18 15:30:40

Tissues, antibacterial hand gel and opening the ‘out’ door with my hand up my sleeve is my preferred MO!

eazybee Fri 09-Feb-18 15:51:20

When I am invited onto Room 101 this is the thing that will go in the bin.
I HATE them.

Nanny41 Fri 09-Feb-18 15:57:14

I agree with everyone about toilet rolls in those enormous dispensers, I always have tissues in case. Also trying to manoever round the door to get in between the door and the actual toilet is ridiculous .One public toilet which is well maintained, in a little Town, the main door is always open, so after washing hands under taps which always work and drying hands before the skin is blown off, it is not a problem to get out of the place, AND its all free!