Mexico City subway users often complain about malfunctioning escalators that keep breaking down continually. In any given CDMX metro station, you’ll find that escalators are out of order more often than they are functioning. And city officials have offered an explanation that shocked no one—people are peeing on them so much that escalators are corroding. Yup, you read that right.

Of the system’s 467 escalators, 22 are out of service on any given day.

Travelers on the Mexico City subway system often blame authorities for broken-down escalators at subway stops, but Metro officials have another explanation. Somehow, urine is penetrating and corroding the drive wheels and mechanisms of the escalators that carry riders up from underground stations.

One-quarter of escalator breakdowns on the Mexico City Metro are caused by people urinating on them, according to authorities.

Por filtración de orina, 25% de las fallas en las escaleras eléctricas del Metro capitalinohttps://t.co/Ui2G4Reavi

— Proceso (@proceso) January 15, 2020

The deputy manager of mechanical installations, Fermín Rafael Ramírez Alonso, said that Tacubaya and Chabacano are among the most affected stations.

Maybe—just maybe— stop peeing on escalators?

#TodoMal 😤 La orina dejada en las instalaciones del Metro (leíste bien: la orina) es causa de una de cada cuatro averías en sus escaleras eléctricas https://t.co/679O5Jje9d

— Expansión Política (@ExpPolitica) January 17, 2020

Ramírez urged users not to urinate on escalators or other Metro installations, because of the damage it causes. “When we open up escalators for maintenance, there is always urine,” Ramírez said.

But another issue is that there are no public bathroom facilities available.

osea si está de la verga lo de la vatos meandose en el metro y jodiendo las escaleras eléctricas pero, más allá de denotar una falta de ética o loquesea, lo que yo concluyo de la noticia es la falta que nos hacen baños publicos gratiuitos y accesibles en la ciudad (1)

— club de fans del hombre polilla (@x666nox) January 17, 2020

Most stations have no public bathroom facilities, a fact Twitter users were quick to point out, noting there are not even any pay toilets. “More than this being an issue about ethics or manners, I think that this is happening because of a lack of free and accesible bathrooms in the city,” tweeted one user.

Ramirez also said that other causes for breakdowns include excessively heavy loads, running on the stairs, imbalance on the stairs and objects falling between them.

Día 2 en la Ciudad de México: Ese hombre en el metro vendía navajas… ¡navajas!

— pa hola (@karencastl) February 21, 2016

“There are even users who cut the stairs with knives or other sharp objects, of which we have examples in Tacubaya,” he said, surprising absolutely not one of Mexico City’s users. Many metro users know that vendors even sell knives on subway carriages, as was noted by this tweet.

The biggest problem, subway authorities admit, is that many escalators are old, or have been damaged by rough use.

Took me two minutes to figure out subway tickets in Seoul—and the next minute I was on the train. I still get confused in NYC subway and SF BART despite regular visits. My first time in Seoul and I don’t speak Korean. The US decline in infrastructure is a self-inflicted tragedy.

— zeynep tufekci (@zeynep) November 1, 2019

The city plans to replace about 55 escalators over the next two years. With over 1.6bn rides per year, the Mexico City subway is considered the eighth largest in the world by some measures, and one of the cheapest: a 25¢ ticket will get you a single ride to any destination on the 140-mile (226km) system. Just remember to use the bathroom before setting out.

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Moms have blessed us with an amazing laundry fact that has apparently been around forever. Turns out that plastic lid cup that comes with your washing detergent is so much than for measuring liquid.

A little known fact was shared in the private Facebook group Mums Who Clean and the tip-off has reeled in millions of comments and views.

While all of us probably use the lids of our detergent bottles for measuring out the soup it turns out you’re meant to put the plastic lid or cup into the wash with your load. That way all of the detergent soap can be rinsed from it. This means that not only do your clothes get the exact amount of detergent it needs but it also means that this method will keep you from getting that messy soap up in your cup.

When the load is finished you scoop out the squeaky clean cup and use it for next time!

Don’t forget to be careful!

This hack doesn’t apply to all caps. Some brands will specify that the cup can’t be added i to your wash. According to news.com.au “There could be a risk of damaging parts and components, within the bowl itself, in relation to the agitator…It could get caught or trapped under the agitator or damage the fins of the agitator. Also it could damage the plastic cup you put in, resulting in bits of plastic going through your clothes.”

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