The reason why people are putting cardboard toilet paper rolls on doorknobs

It is not a hidden message like when people share a room, nor a subtle hint to buy more toilet paper if it has run out. It is something much simpler and more practical: avoiding direct contact with the door handle to prevent an electric shock. It can also help people avoid touching a handle that has been touched by hundreds of hands, reducing exposure to viruses and bacteria.

This small DIY trick with a toilet paper roll, which is very common in Germany, is used for straightforward reasons. One of the main ones is to avoid contact with the metal handle, which is usually icy during the winter. In addition, it helps prevent the static electricity shock or spark that people often experience when they touch the knob.

Inexpensive and highly effective disposable cover

That is why it is common to cut the cardboard tube in half so it can be used multiple times. Small openings are made so it fits snugly over the handle, allowing contact with the cardboard tube instead of the bare, cold metal. This makes it not only more comfortable, but also more hygienic and less unpleasant.

This measure is often used to reduce direct skin contact with frequently used metal fixtures, especially on entry doors or office doors. The cardboard roll can be replaced regularly. If it becomes soft, dirty, or damaged, it can simply be thrown away and replaced with the next empty roll, creating a fully improvised, homemade, inexpensive, and highly effective disposable cover.

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