Why should you put the toilet lid down?

Author: Shanel Dooley  |  Last update: Sunday, January 25, 2026

When a toilet was flushed lid up, bacteria were found up to 25 cm above the seat. After 60 minutes, the number of bacteria decreased eightfold, and at 90 minutes, a further threefold. Lid down, none of the bacteria was found in the air above the seat after flushing.

Why do people put the toilet lid down?

Closing the lid before flushing prevents fine droplets of water from migrating around the room carrying fecal bacteria. That is why it has a lid. Flushing with the lid open spreads contamination throughout the room.

Is it good manners to put the toilet lid down?

It's generally recommended to close the toilet lid when not in use. Here are a few reasons why: Hygiene: Closing the lid can help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. Flushing the toilet can create an aerosol spray that may carry pathogens into the air, potentially contaminating surfaces nearby.

Why should you put the lid down when you flush the toilet?

When not in use, it is generally recommended to keep the toilet lid closed. Closing the lid helps prevent the spread of germs and bacteria that can be released into the air when the toilet is flushed. This is especially important in shared spaces or if someone in the household is sick.

What's the point of a toilet lid cover?

The lid was designed to keep germs where they belong, in the bowl and down the drain! If you leave the lid up when you flush, those germs can float around your bathroom, landing on any available surface, including towels, hairbrushes or even toothbrushes.

Flushing The Toilet With The Lid Up 💦

Should the toilet lid be up or down after use?

According to research by the University of Cork, flushing the loo with the lid down reduces the number of visible and smaller droplets of toilet plume by between 30% and 60%.

Why do people cover their toilets?

By covering their toilet seat, a person assumes personal hygiene responsibility and lessens the possibility of contaminating others. By offering toilet seat coverings in public bathrooms, a company or institution demonstrates its concern for the health and welfare of its customers and staff.

Should you close the toilet lid after pooping?

Though it's been said that closing the lid will stop tiny fecal particles from spreading across your bathroom, a new peer-reviewed study published in the American Journal of Infection Control is now claiming the positioning of a toilet's lid really doesn't make much difference at all.

Does closing the toilet lid help with smell?

Flushing with an open toilet lid can release unpleasant odors into the bathroom. These odors can linger, making the bathroom environment less pleasant. The surfaces in your bathroom, including the toilet seat cover, wc seat cover, and other items, can become contaminated with bacteria and viruses from the toilet plume.

Does keeping the toilet lid closed cause mold?

For the toilet you rarely use in the house, make sure to flush it at least once daily. Also, lift the lid to avoid darkness inside the bowl; mold thrives where there is stagnant water and darkness.

Should you leave toilet lid up or down when you go on vacation?

Toilet: If your toilet looks less than shiny already, clean it inside and out, then spray it down with disinfectant. Remember to leave the toilet seat up to minimize the amount of moisture and prevent mold.

What is the polite way for toilet?

Lavatory (UK)

'Lavatory' is a good option for people looking for a very formal word to use in very formal occasions​.

Is it OK to sit on toilet lid?

No, you should not sit on the lid of a toilet seat, it's not its intended use. Toilet seat lids are designed for hygiene purposes and are generally designed to be lightweight and are not built to support the full weight of a person.

Is it bad manners to leave the toilet lid up?

The PlumbWorld website says, “The most obvious reason to leave the toilet lid down is because it's more hygienic. Toilet water contains microbes of … well, everything that goes down it, to put it politely.

Does the toilet lid have a function?

It can be closed to prevent small items from falling in, reduce odors, or provide a chair in the toilet room for aesthetic purposes. Some studies show that closing the lid prevents the spread of aerosols on flushing ("toilet plume"), which might be a source of disease transmission.

What impacts of lid closure during toilet flushing and of toilet bowl cleaning on viral contamination of surfaces in the United States restrooms

These results demonstrate that closing the toilet lid prior to flushing does not mitigate the risk of contaminating bathroom surfaces and that disinfection of all restroom surfaces (ie, toilet rim, floors) may be necessary after flushing or after toilet brush used for the reduction of virus cross-contamination.

Is it more sanitary to leave the toilet lid up or down?

They found there's little difference whether you leave the lid up or down. Closing the lid on a toilet does not prevent the spread of viral particles from a flushed toilet. Lid down or not, microscopic viral particles spread to the floor and nearby restroom surfaces.

Do toilets flush better with the lid closed?

When a toilet was flushed lid up, bacteria were found up to 25 cm above the seat. After 60 minutes, the number of bacteria decreased eightfold, and at 90 minutes, a further threefold. Lid down, none of the bacteria was found in the air above the seat after flushing.

Why does my toilet smell when I open the lid?

Bacteria Buildup

Bacterial buildup can produce a foul smell, resembling sewage or rotten eggs. If microorganisms grow in the toilet bowl: Pour a cup of heavily diluted bleach into the overflow pipe or flush valve.

Should you flush the toilet after pooping?

“Essentially, yes – especially when you've had a poo,” Russell says, “because the flush can spray very fine particles and toilet water all over your bathroom.” A 2022 global review found that contaminated aerosol particles can travel as far as 1.5 metres away when the toilet is flushed and linger for up to six hours; ...

Should you leave the bathroom door open after pooping?

But in fact, this approach is not very good. After going to the toilet, there will be a lot of bacteria in the air. If the door is opened at this time, the bacteria and odor in the bathroom will spread to every corner of the home, and the home environment will become more and more dirty!

How long should you sit on the toilet after pooping?

Most professionals recommend spending no more time on the toilet than it takes to pass a stool. Studies have shown that the average bowel movement takes 12 seconds. Sometimes it does take longer, however, so at maximum, you should not spend more than 10 minutes on the toilet.

Why we shouldn't squat over the toilet when we pee?

2: Squatting Over the Toilet

When you squat, the muscles in your pelvis are all activated and engaged. This includes your pelvic floor muscles, which prevents your bladder and bowels from fully emptying. Squatting to pee can cause a weak pelvic floor in the long term as well as urinary tract infections.

What do you put in a toilet when gone for months?

Add Antifreeze

The solution is to use marine antifreeze which does not contain harmful chemicals or create the noxious fumes of regular antifreeze. Add a little to your toilet bowl, and an ounce or so to every drain, from the shower to your kitchen sink to prevent any remaining water from freezing.

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