Disinfecting Item that Fell into a Toilet (Step-by-Step Guide)

Picture this: You just dropped something important into the toilet, and now you’re left struggling to make some quick decisions about how to remove, clean, and disinfect it properly. We’ve all been there at least once in our lives!

That’s why we put together this step-by-step guide on how to properly disinfect items dropped in the toilet. By following each step carefully, you can retrieve your item and thoroughly clean it following its toilet deep dive.

Key Points

Disinfecting an Item That Fell Into the Toilet (Step-by-Step)

There are a few methods you can use to properly disinfect your dropped item, depending on what it is. For example, some methods work better for electronics, and others are ideal for more durable objects. We’ll outline each option below so you can pick the one that suits your situation best. Regardless of the method you use, however, the first step is always the same: retrieving the item.

Retrieve the Dropped Item

Protect Your Hands

When you drop something important into the toilet, your first instinct may be to reach for it with bare hands.

But before you even consider reaching into a toilet bowl, it’s very important to protect your hands from all the bacteria they’ll be exposed to. The best way to protect yourself is by wearing rubber gloves. It’s a good idea to keep a pair of rubber gloves in the bathroom in case something like this happens (they’re also great for cleaning!).

What if you’re not at home and don’t have a pair of rubber gloves readily available? In this situation, you should decide whether the item you dropped in the toilet is worth taking the plunge. If you ultimately decide to retrieve it, try to protect yourself by putting a plastic bag over your hands. In a real pinch, you can even wrap several layers of tissue paper or paper towel around your hands before the big plunge. You could also try fishing the item out with a tool like a toilet brush or something else you don’t mind throwing away (the plastic fork from your leftover Door dash can be a good choice).

Retrieve Quickly

Even if you’re wearing gloves, you should try your best to remove the item from the toilet as quickly as possible to minimize exposure to bacteria. Toilets in public restrooms sometimes flush automatically, so you’ll want to act before your item goes down the drain and you never see it again. Remember to grip the item firmly so you don’t accidentally drop it back in.

Rinsing After Retrieving

Wash With Hot Water and Soap

Unless your item is electronic, you will want to thoroughly wash it to remove any toilet water and lower the risk of contamination.

For this step, hotter is better—so turn on the sink and allow the water to run until it’s as hot as possible. Next, lather up the infected item with soap. Give it a good scrub, and then rinse it with hot water until thoroughly cleaned.

If the item you dropped is an electronic device, it likely isn’t waterproof. We recommend skipping this step, as further exposure to water may increase the risk of damage to the item. We’ll discuss alternative cleaning methods below, so keep reading. In the meantime, you should immediately turn off the device and remove the battery to prevent further damage.

Don’t Forget to Wash Your Hands!

Even if you wore rubber gloves, you should still wash your hands thoroughly to prevent infection. If you wore gloves, first thoroughly wash your gloved hands with soap and warm water. Carefully remove the gloves and set them aside to dry.

Next, you’ll want to wash your bare hands. Take care to wash them thoroughly with soap and warm water. Make sure to scrub beneath your fingernails and between your fingers—bacteria love to hide in these areas. Dry your hands with a paper towel or clean cloth.

Cleaning with Disinfectants

Once you’ve thoroughly washed your toilet-diving item and your hands, you can go back to handling it without worrying about the risk of contamination.

But we’re clean freaks here at Toiletable, so we completely understand if you want to go the extra mile to make sure your item is fully disinfected. In that case, you can try a disinfectant product to make sure your item is clean enough to eat off of (don’t actually try that, though!). You’ll want the right tool for the job, so choose a disinfectant that is potent enough to kill bacteria and deeply disinfect your item.

Items you’ll need:

Using Disinfectant Wipes

If your item has a solid, smooth surface, you can use a disinfectant wipe to scrub away any bacteria. If you don’t have disinfecting wipes, you can spray a paper towel or clean cloth with the disinfectant and then wipe down your item.

Using Disinfectant Spray

If the surface of your item is textured—or if it has many nooks and crannies where bacteria can hide—choose a spray. As long as your item is waterproof, give it a good spray with the disinfectant, ensuring it douses the entire surface area.

Let the Disinfectant Sit

Resist the urge to wipe down your item right away—disinfectants need time to do their jobs. Let the product sit for a few minutes to successfully kill any bacteria on your item. Follow the disinfectant packaging for an appropriate “dwell time” (the amount of time you should let the product sit before wiping it away). Then, carefully wipe down the item with a paper towel or cloth to remove the disinfectant. Ideally, you should then give the item a final rinse with warm water and dry it.

Sanitizing With Rubbing Alcohol

If your phone or another important electronic device went for a dip in the toilet, you won’t want to rinse it under water—but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options when it comes to sanitizing it!

Isopropyl alcohol (or rubbing alcohol) is great for sanitizing sensitive objects, like remote controls, smartwatches, cell phones, and other electronic devices. For best results, look for 70% isopropyl alcohol free from additives. (Pro tip: In a pinch, hand sanitizer can work as an alternative to tide you over until you get home, thanks to its high alcohol content.)

Items you’ll need:

Saturate a Cotton Ball

You’ll be using a cotton ball to wipe down your object, so take one out of the package. Remove the cap from the bottle of alcohol and douse the cotton ball with it. Make sure the alcohol soaks into the cotton fibers. To remove any excess alcohol, shake the cotton ball a few times. You want the cotton ball to be damp with alcohol but not sopping wet—otherwise, alcohol could leak into your electronic device and cause problems.

Wipe Down the Item

Carefully swab the damp cotton ball across the surface of your item to kill bacteria. This method is perfect for electronics or other sensitive items since it allows you to sanitize them without exposure to unnecessary moisture.

Let the Item Air Dry

After you’ve cleaned your item, you should simply let it air dry. This gives the alcohol ample time to kill germs. You won’t have to wait too long, since isopropyl alcohol typically evaporates very quickly.

Disinfecting With Boiling Water

Boiling is a tried-and-true method of disinfection that has been used for thousands of years!

Make sure to only use this method on items made of a durable material that can withstand both water exposure and high temperatures, like metal, glass, ceramic, rubber, and silicone. Avoid using boiling water on electronics, many plastics, and absorbent materials like wood or cloth.

Items you’ll need:

Boil the Water

When using the boiling method, you’ll first want to choose a pot that’s big enough to hold the item and enough water to cover it. After you’ve chosen the ideal pot, fill it with enough water to completely submerge the item. Next, put it on the stove over medium-high heat and wait for the water to boil.

Submerge Your Item

Once the water has come to a rolling boil, it’s time to place your item into the pot. Carefully place the object into the boiling water using tongs or a strainer. Be sure not to drop the item in forcefully, as this could cause splash back of the boiling water (ouch!).

Once you’ve submerged the item, you can leave it immersed for 5 to 10 minutes. The high temperature of the boiling water will rid your item of all bacteria and other nasty bugs, but it can also cause warping—so be sure to keep an eye on your item and adjust the boiling time accordingly. After you’re done boiling, turn off the burner.

Remove and Dry the Item

Now that you’ve disinfected your item, it’s time to remove it. Remember, the water and item are both very hot! Use tongs or your strainer to carefully remove the item from the water. Gently shake off any excess water over the sink, and place the object on a clean paper towel or cloth to air dry. If your item has a cover or a lid, leave it open to allow it to dry completely and avoid mildew.

A Few Final Words

While hearing that dreaded plop! is never fun, now you don’t have to fear disinfecting an item you dropped in the toilet! With the right equipment and instructions, clean-up can be a piece of cake. It’s very important to disinfect any item that falls into the toilet to minimize the risk of contamination, but you’ll want to be sure to choose the method that’s right for your item. Depending on your object’s durability, sensitivity, and composition, use this helpful guide to choose the method that suits your needs. Your item will be good as new in no time!