Close the Lid Before You Flush the Toilet - Homemaking.com

The Importance Of Closing The Lid Every Time You Flush The Toilet

The Importance Of Closing The Lid Every Time You Flush The Toilet

source: Men's Health / Getty Images/AndreyGonchar

Today, we’re going to talk about something that people don’t generally love to talk about: toilets. Like it or not, there are some important things to know when it comes to toilets. This is important since the toilet is something all of us use multiple times a day. Failing to flush the toilet properly can lead to some pretty disgusting contamination. So, this is definitely an important topic to cover.

Importance Of Closing The Lid Every Time You Flush The Toilet
source: Health Goes Up via imgix.com

The Reason Why You Should Always Close the Lid

Today reports that every time you flush your toilet, whatever you have deposited in the toilet is taken down the sewer pipes. Additionally, something super unpleasant called “toilet plume” is released into the air. Toilet plume is essentially a spray that contains microscopic bacteria, including E. coli.

source: Essential Kids / Shutterstock

Research reveals that the bacteria found in this spray can exist in the air for at least six hours. It can contaminate multiple surfaces in your bathroom, including your towels, Kleenex box, sink, toothbrushes, beauty products, and more. So, how can we prevent this disgusting reality from happening?

source: First For Women / Getty images

Every time you go to flush the toilet, put the lid down first. Closing the toilet lid decreases the possibility that this toilet plume will end up in the air throughout your bathroom. It can also potentially end up on other bathroom surfaces as well. If you’re in a public washroom where you don’t have the option of putting the toilet seat down, lean as far away from the toilet as possible after flushing, and thoroughly wash your hands immediately afterwards.

source: Health Essentials – Cleveland Clinic / iStock

While the chances of you getting sick if you happen to not put the toilet lid down are low, it’s not really worth the risk. Toilet lids were invented for a reason. To keep your bathroom as germ-free as possible, it’s probably best to keep the lid shut before flushing. Seems like a pretty fair trade-off, if you ask me!


As Seen In