Some people are using public toilet paper rolls to clean dirty needles before putting them right back for others to use. If you grew up where I did, this would be common knowledge, but a lot of people don’t realize you should be far more aware depending on the area you’re in.
This all came to light after Dr. Joe, M.D., stitched a viral video on TikTok of an angry father who was warning people about using toilet paper in public places, yelling, “This is why you never use toilet paper from a local place with your kids or yourself. F**king dirtballs cleaning their needles in here”. In a video that has been viewed over 1.5 million times, Dr. Joe confirmed that this scary situation was real, and is worse than being stranded without toilet paper.
“Okay, so this is a real thing,” the doctor explained in his stitched video. He went on to say that some people genuinely do use public toilet paper rolls to wipe dirty needles. While sometimes the evidence is obvious, other times it can be subtle, so you need to “Look for that small, little puncture”.
Always look before you act
This is a horrifying realization for anyone who has ever had to use a public restroom, and it shines a spotlight on a hidden health hazard in places you visit every day. The good news is that Dr. Joe offers some practical advice to keep yourself safe and your butt happy.
First and foremost, Dr. Joe says it’s always best practice to carry a set of flushable wipes in your car. If you can’t manage that, he emphasizes the need to inspect the roll before you use the toilet paper. His warning really drives the point home, saying, “If the dispenser is locked and you can’t inspect it, make sure you say your prayers before you raw dog that toilet paper roll in some sketchy stall”.
In his video caption, the doctor provided a list of other guidelines you should follow to avoid unwanted surprises. Keep in mind, this likely isn’t as bad as watching ads to get toilet paper:
- Inspect the roll
- Avoid unwrapped paper
- Keep wipes on hand
- Wash your hands
- Be extra careful
He gave some friendly advice: “So to keep yourself safe, it’s always best practice to carry with you in your car a set of flushable wipes. And if you can’t do that, make sure to inspect the roll before you use the toilet paper. If the dispenser is locked and you can’t inspect it, make sure you say your prayers before you raw dog that toilet paper roll in some sketchy stall.”
@drjoe_md ♬ original sound – Dr. Joe, M.D.
PSA: Check the toilet paper before you wipe. Yeah, I wish this was a joke too. Some public restrooms have had toilet paper rolls used to clean needles… and then put right back like it’s no big deal.
Here’s how to avoid unwanted surprises:
Inspect the roll (damp, dirty, or sketchy = hard pass)
Some users in the comments added their own insights. One person pointed out that many public dispensers aren’t actually locked, so if they’re sealed up, the TP might be safe. However, many others still stressed the importance of caution, which I think is just common sense, depending on where you live.
There was also a reminder in the comments about those “flushable wipes” that Dr. Joe suggested. Apparently, a lot of plumbers hate them, and many aren’t actually flushable at all, causing serious plumbing issues. So while they’re a good idea for personal hygiene in a public restroom, DO NOT flush them. You might want to carry a roll of regular old toilet paper instead, or at least keep those “flushable” wipes in a small plastic bag to throw away in the trash can.
