Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for July 28, 2003

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, July 28, 2003 | 8:29 a.m.

Privy to details

Here's a question you've probably never asked yourself: What does your bathroom say about you?

Sure, the ring around the bathtub pretty much screams cleaning isn't tops on your priority list. Same goes for the pile of damp towels tossed in the corner. And it's probably safe to assume you're attempting to divert attention from some offensive odor with the potpourri-scented, stick-on gizmos clinging to the side of the toilet.

But what about the color on the walls, the pattern on the shower curtain, the texture of the floor tiles? How do these decorator items reflect your personality or do they?

The makers of Stick'n Stile appliques, adornments designed to instantly pretty up shower doors, tubs, mirrors and tiles, have devised a quiz to take before giving your lavatory a face lift. Among the questions:

What does any of this have to do with coordinating commodes and soap dishes? Glad you asked: According to the manufacturer, if you answered "A" more often than not, you fall into the "elegant and refined" category and your bathroom should probably be decorated in ivory, mauve and/or gray hues to mirror your "upscale demeanor."

"B" folks are more "earthy and environmentally aware." Green colors and botanical-inspired gear will fit well in their bathrooms, while "C" people are "extroverted and fun," inclined to use turquoise and teal shades as part of an island motif with, say, a flamingo-shaped toilet-bowl brush.

Getting pumped

Speaking of brushes and bathrooms, here's a not-so-new invention for the truly lazy among us: Ever find it too taxing to actually squeeze a strip of toothpaste on your toothbrush? Then the Pump Toothbrush is for you.

As promised, with the push of a button, a refillable pump inside the toothbrush handle pushes paste up and out through the bristles. Developed 15 years ago with the needs of disabled people (not indolent couch potatoes) in mind, each toothbrush costs $4.45 and is available at internettoothbrush.com.

If nothing else, Pump Toothbrush's makers contend its plastic cover will save users from untold bathroom germs that result from "a combination of an open toilet and the moist environment" in the room. Yet another reason to put the seat down, guys: Not only will your wife thank you, so will your teeth.

Outhouse organisms

And while we're on the subject of bathroom germs, go ahead and admit it: You've been known to flush a public potty with your foot. Or, maybe you layer the seat with a half-dozen of those tissue-paper covers before, um, settling in.

Apparently, you're not alone. Kimberly-Clark Professional, makers of workplace tissue-and-towel products, recently released the results of a survey it conducted of more than 1,000 American adults about how they attempt to avoid the germs inhabiting public restrooms.

More than half of respondents said they're absolutely certain that besides the toilet, doorknobs and handles are absolutely infested with bacteria, followed by faucets, trash cans, handles and levers on towel dispensers, floors, soap and toilet-paper dispensers. (Odd, the item reached for first by folks after, well, you know, is perceived to be the least filthy.)

Meanwhile 61 percent of those queried about their bathroom habits reportedly employ myriad "avoidance strategies" to keep germs at bay, including using paper towels to turn faucets and door handles, and their wrists and elbows to dispense towels.

The good news: A third of those polled say they thoroughly wash their hands before leaving the restroom. Of course, the exercise is all for naught, since germ-phobes must touch the doorknob in order to exit the chamber of cooties.