It does not take germ-o-phobic tendencies for someone to worry about the invisible bacteria that might lurk in public restrooms. People worry about germs on the toilet seats, faucets and doorknobs. However, some people do wonder just how much bacteria really are in public bathrooms. The answer is probably not as much as you would think.

One of the commonly feared areas is the toilet seat. Experts say the toilet seat is less likely to transmit harmful bacteria than a faucet handle is. Most germs cannot remain alive on the seat for long, and people do not tend to touch the seat numerous times. A good hand washing after using the restroom should take care of anything that might be living on the seat.

Faucets and doorknobs that are touched by dozens or hundreds of people each day are more likely to house cold germs and other invisible beasts. Again, expects state that proper hand washing techniques should provide appropriate protection against the germs. Good hand washing involves soap, warm water and at least 30 seconds of your time.

Some experts point to the fact that many public restrooms are thoroughly cleaned more often than your facilities at home, so germs are reduced. Obviously, this does not include icky gas station bathrooms or the not-quite-modern facilities at the local ballpark. It does include restrooms in most restaurants, retail stores and office complexes.

OSHA and other agencies provide rules about how often such areas have to be cleaned and to what degree. Although more people use these facilities than your bathroom at home, the cleaning staff mop, scrub and spray them down one to four times per day. Unless you have a true germ phobia, you probably cannot say the same for the cleanliness of your bathroom at home.