Do you know why you flush with the lid down?

Top 5 Reasons why you should always flush with the lid down

Anyone who has ever flushed a toilet while sitting on it has likely felt droplets of water splash upwards. The spread of toilet water is not limited to just those particles large enough to be felt. Thanks to “the aerosol effect”, a veritable cloud of tiny droplets travels far outside the toilet when it is flushed.

Bacteria on the Seat and Handle

Some bacteria occur predominantly on the toilet seat and handle, including Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, both of which come from the human gut. In addition, the study found that Lactobacillaceae were more common in restrooms that were predominantly used by females, although, because they are common in urine, they are also present in male restrooms. The presence of Lactobacillaceae on both the seat and handle in female restrooms suggests that it is deposited manually after women used the toilet. The researchers found a whole other community of bacteria on bathroom floors and discovered some of these on the toilet handle, probably deposited there by people operating the toilet handle with their foot.

Avoiding Contamination

Regularly disinfecting all your bathroom surfaces, including the seat, can control bacteria, and a few routine practices can help ensure there aren’t many to control. Put the lid down before flushing to prevent bacteria from being dispersed throughout the bathroom in the aerosol spray from the bowl, and keep the toilet paper roll covered. Wash your hands with soap and use the hot air blowers to dry your hands when using a public restroom, and use a paper towel when handling the seat or flushing. If it’s clear the bathroom doesn’t receive regular maintenance, use the paper towel to operate the faucet and open and close the door as well.

Now researchers are saying that there is a risk, particularly from the toilets seen in public spaces without lids, of contracting C. difficle from lidless flushing. The bacteria causes diarrhea and can be life-threatening if the colon becomes inflamed, and spread can be contained by taking precautions. Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Dr. William Schaffner has this advice for the squeamish:

“Almost everywhere we go, except in some public spaces, we have lids on our commodes. But not everyone puts them down when they flush. Doing so will reduce this type of environmental contamination very substantially… Just remember: put the lid down before you flush and always wash your hands.”