# Public Foot Handles The Toepener Handle is a Simple Solution for Public Restrooms By Meghan Young | Published 2011-03-10 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toepener-handle References: [neatorama](http://www.neatorama.com/2011/03/08/foot-handle-for-public-restrooms/) & [toepener](http://www.toepener.com/) Though the idea of using the toilet in a [public restroom](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-toilets) grosses some people out on its own, the idea of opening the door often leaves people warily wondering if they should just hold it in until home--the Toepener handle looks to change all of that. A simple solution to an age-old problem, the Toepener handle replaces a [traditional handle](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/edge-door-handle) with a foot-based one. As a [hands-free door-opening solution](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chicago-faucet-company), the Toepener handle is long overdue as far as I'm concerned. For only $49.95, you can alleviate a person's stress level exponentially. I wouldn't be surprised if you could order a bulk amount for even less money. Thanks to the Toepener handle, a person won't have to waste anymore extra paper towels to open the door with their hands. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.6/10 - Popularity: 4% | Activity: 5% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Touchless Restroom Solutions:** The Toepener Handle is just one example of touch-free solutions to address public health and sanitation concerns. - **Hygiene-focused Architecture:** Architects and designers are exploring new ways to integrate hygiene-focused solutions into building design to better accommodate public health and sanitation needs, such as the use of foot-based door handles. - **Cost-effective Restroom Upgrades:** The Toepener Handle demonstrates how a small investment in a hands-free door-opening solution can have a great return on reducing maintenance costs and minimizing the spread of germs in public restrooms. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Building Materials:** There is a growing demand for building materials that are antimicrobial and easy to sanitize to prevent the spread of germs throughout public spaces like restrooms. - **Facilities Management:** Facilities management teams may consider investing in touch-free solutions like the Toepener Handle as a cost-effective and practical way to improve hygiene in public restrooms. - **Architecture:** Architects and designers have an opportunity to incorporate innovative hygiene-focused design solutions like foot-based door handles into future building plans to help mitigate the spread of infectious diseases. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Hygienic Handsfree Toilet Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toilet-lid-closer.md) - [Hands-Free Home Doors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/milda-evolve-door.md) - [Interior Push-Pull Door Locks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anylock-milda.md) - [Feature-Packed Smart Toilets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neolet.md) - [Entryway Deodorizing Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comodo.md) - [Sustainable Paper Towel Holders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paper-towel-holder-1.md) - [Crowdsourced Restroom Code Maps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/restroom-code-maps.md) - [Hygienic At-Home Hand Dryers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-towel-hand-dryer.md) - [Hygienic Auto-Flushing Toilets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/close-the-lid-toilet.md)