Fresher Than You: My Guide to Using Public Bathrooms during NYFW

Something I didn’t mention when I explained how exhilarating it was to move out of New York City was that the city is a gross, dirty, and disgusting place. Perhaps because there are millions of people jammed into what feels like 1000 square feet, or perhaps because there are more pigeon and mice than people – nonetheless, it’s gross. Well I made the brave venture back into the city this past week for a few NYFW shows and photoshoots, but because I no longer had my apartment to dash into, here’s how I managed to navigate the battlefield that is public restrooms in New York City.

But first, peep how I was showing all the leg in my looks for NYFW! I’ll have recaps of both of these events in the next few days.

Anyway back to public bathrooms. They are totally hit or miss – but many restaurants won’t let you use their bathrooms unless you’re eating there. If you really have to go and you ain’t too proud to beg, you can try your luck asking to use a restroom, but I’ve been shot down before so it’s not a road I’m willing to try. Fast food joints rarely have bathrooms, and though (almost) all Starbucks have bathrooms, they typically have long lines, mysterious characters, and no toilet paper.

So where are you supposed to pee and do that other thing you might need to do? I’ve had success with hotels – the key is walking into a hotel as if you know where you’re going, and then looking for a lobby level bathroom. Works like a charm! It’s easier to pull this off in a larger hotel, so if you’re near Penn Station, a great one to check out is the New Yorker by Wyndham on 34th and 8th.

My second recommendation is a recent find, but libraries and (free) museums typically have many bathrooms and they are fairly well maintained. If you’re near Times Square or Bryant Park, hop on over to the Stephen A Schwarzman Building of the NYPL – the one with the lions in front! I went in there three times yesterday to change for a shoot, and though they looked at me sideways every time I walked in, no one said a peep. Plus they have a huge wall of mirrors that are meant for primping.

Once you’re in a public bathroom, regardless of the condition, there’s a slight chance there may not be any toilet paper. Save yourself the embarrassment of asking a complete stranger to slide some over your way by coming prepared with Cottonelle® Flushable Cleansing Cloths with CleanRipple® Texture. They’re made with the same CleanRipple^® Texture as all Cottonelle^® toilet paper and flushable cleansing cloths that is designed to clean better (than the leading national value brand). Even though they feel great and smell fresh, resist the temptation to use the Cottonelle® Flushable Cleansing Cloths with CleanRipple® Texture on your face or body, they’re only meant for your bum!

Cottonelle^® with CleanRipple^® Texture is designed to clean better, so you’re clean & confident enough to go commando. Now I didn’t go commando in either of these outfits, but I definitely would have felt confident enough to do it if I needed to, especially if my ankara print skirt ripped any further (if you don’t know what I’m talking about then you missed my Instagram story!)

TL;DR Using public bathrooms in NYC can be a nightmare. Your best bet is to go to a hotel, library, or musuem, and carry some Cottonelle® Flushable Cleansing Cloths with CleanRipple® Texture in your purse to make wiping of your bum seem like a quick spa treatment. Now if only I had these when that detox tea jacked me up…

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