Closing the toilet lid when it is not in use is a debated topic. There are pros and cons to leaving the lid open versus closing it that need to be considered when deciding what is best for your household.
Pros of Leaving the Toilet Lid Open
There are a few potential advantages to leaving the toilet lid open when it is not in use:
- Convenience – It can be slightly more convenient not to have to lift the lid every time you need to use the toilet. This may save a couple of seconds each time.
- Accessibility – For some people, such as the elderly or those with disabilities, lifting the heavier toilet lid can be difficult. Leaving it up makes access easier.
- Cleaner appearance – Some feel an open toilet looks cleaner than one with the lid down, perhaps because you can see inside it clearly.
Cons of Leaving the Toilet Lid Open
However, there are also some downsides to leaving the toilet lid open:
- Spread of germs – When you flush the toilet, tiny water droplets containing bacteria and viruses get sprayed up to 6 feet in the air. These can then land on surfaces throughout the bathroom, spreading germs more easily with the lid open.
- Risk of things falling in – Pets, children’s toys, toothbrushes, etc could more easily fall into the toilet bowl when the lid is left up.
- Looks messier – Some find a toilet with the seat and lid open unsightly and messy looking.
- Waste of water – Leaving the toilet lid open allows more water to evaporate, increasing water waste.
Pros of Closing the Toilet Lid
Closing the lid when not using the toilet also has some advantages:
- Contains germs – Closing the lid when flushing helps contain those bacteria and virus filled droplets rather than allowing them to spread around your bathroom.
- Odors and smells – Keeping the lid closed helps keep nasty odors and smells in the toilet rather than wafting around the room.
- More sanitary – Overall, a closed lid creates a more sanitary bathroom environment.
- Child and pet safety – Closing the lid is safer for pets and curious children.
- More aesthetically pleasing – Many people think a closed toilet lid looks more tidy and organized.
Cons of Closing the Toilet Lid
The downsides of closing the toilet lid are relatively minor, but include:
- Minor inconvenience – You need to lift the lid every time you use the toilet, which takes an extra second.
- Potential for slams – Some people may accidentally slam the heavy lid down at night.
- Need to remember – Users have to remember to close the lid each time.
Toilet Lid Closing Guidelines and Recommendations
Below are some general toilet lid closing recommendations:
- Close the lid before flushing – Flushing with the lid open spreads bacteria and viruses around the bathroom. Closing it contains the germ-filled spray.
- Close it if you have pets or small kids – Pets and curious children are more likely to drink from the toilet or fall in if the lid is left open.
- Close the lid when not in use – Closing the lid in between uses helps the restroom look and stay more sanitary.
- Agree on rules with roommates/family – If you share a bathroom, have a household agreement about whether the policy is to leave the lid open or closed.
- Close lid before bed – To prevent nighttime slams, get in the habit of closing the lid before going to sleep.
- Consider personal preference – Decide based on your own preference for convenience vs. sanitation.
- Check before use – Get in the habit of checking before sitting down to avoid surprises!
Research and Statistics on Toilet Lid Closing
Scientific research and statistics help quantify the benefits of closing the toilet lid:
| Study | Findings on Lid Closing |
|---|---|
| University of Colorado study presented at the American Physical Society meeting (2013) | Closing toilet lids before flushing reduced the spread of bacteria by 80% compared to leaving the lid open. |
| Queensland University of Technology study published in Science of the Total Environment (2014) | Toilets with open lids generated at least 20% more droplets containing potentially infectious bacteria and viruses during flushing. |
| Study in Journal of Applied Microbiology (2009) | Toilets caused an “aerosolization” of bacteria and viruses up to 10 feet during flushing. Lid closing contained the spread. |
Conclusion
Overall, closing the toilet lid has more benefits and fewer downsides in most situations. The minor inconvenience of lifting the lid is outweighed by the much more sanitary bathroom environment it creates. Containing those germ-filled flushing droplets goes a long way in making your bathroom a cleaner place.
However, habits and personal preferences also come into play when making this decision for your household. If leaving the lid up is strongly preferred by users, then create other mitigation strategies like disinfecting the bathroom more frequently.
At the end of the day, the most important things are being on the same page with those you share a bathroom with and forming habits around proper toilet lid etiquette. Get into the practice of closing before flushing, closing at bedtime, and doing a quick lid check before sitting to avoid surprises!