It’s a common argument in households, but the science is now clear on how bad leaving the toilet seat up really is.
Bathroom specialists at Plumbworld have examined the potential risks of leaving the toilet seat up - and the results are very gross.
It turns out that leaving the seat up goes beyond just poor etiquette, and could actually have health implications. If you choose to leave the seat up while you flush you run the risk of creating a ‘toilet plume’. This is just as disgusting as it sounds, where bacteria and pathogens are spread through the air and across the bathroom services.
If your toilet is within your bathroom, then this ‘toilet plume;’ could contaminate your tooth brushes, towels and anything else left out in the space. Studies indicate that these droplets may carry harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Norovirus, SARS, COVID-19, and other infectious microbes.
Keeping the lid closed can reduce the aerosolized particles by as much as 50 percent. It’s worth having a chat with the members of your household to bring in this healthier habit.
A spokesperson from Plumbworld said this can be done through small friendly reminders.
“Educating everyone on how closing the lid can lower the risk of bacteria on surfaces like toothbrushes, towels, and counters can help make this a routine practice.
"For families with young children, it may help to turn this into a shared habit early on. For instance, using a fun rhyme or sticker on the lid can serve as a gentle nudge for younger members. Ultimately, these small, informed choices make a big difference in household health, reinforcing the message that each person’s actions contribute to a safer, cleaner environment for all.”
