Should I Close the Toilet Lid Before Flushing?

Should I Close the Toilet Lid Before Flushing?

It goes without saying that your bathroom is a breeding ground for bacteria.

Luckily, not all of the spots in your bathroom are the same. However, one of the most common breeding sites for germs is the toilet, especially when flushed.

According to research, every time you flush the toilet, a tiny aerosol plume containing microscopic particles loaded with harmful bacteria is emitted upward.

These aerosol droplets remain in the air for a few minutes. As a result, if one member of a family develops a bowel infection, the odds of other members becoming infected increase.

Despite a higher risk of infection from many diseases, most people are unaware of whether they should close the lid before flushing the toilet.

How does a toilet’s flushing system work?

A toilet’s flushing system operates on a simple principle.

The toilet cistern is a tiny tank that stores water for flushing.

The cistern contains two valves: a water fill valve and a toilet flush valve.

The fill valve’s purpose is to replace the tank with water when it becomes empty. The toilet flush valve releases water from the tank into the toilet bowl.

The powerful flushing produces a shower of invisible faecal and urine particles floating in the air surrounding the toilet bowl. Aerosol plumes refer to the small particles/droplets that are sprayed.

What You Should Know About Toilet Plume Aerosols

Aerosol plumes are usually invisible to the human eye. However, when illuminated by green lasers, a toilet plume appears like a shower of confetti during a celebration.

Toilet plume aerosols are made up of tiny water droplets or other particles found in the toilet bowl.

The first thing that you should know about these aerosols is that they may include microscopic infections such as adenoviruses, noroviruses, C. difficile, and E. coli. There’s also a danger that these pathogens will spread around the bathroom and cause major diseases.

Adenoviruses cause infections in the intestines, urinary tract, lungs, and eyes. Noroviruses are very contagious and spread by vomit and excrement.

C. difficile causes diarrhoea and colitis (colon inflammation). While most E. coli strains are harmless, a few can cause urinary tract infections, diarrhoea, respiratory illnesses, and pneumonia.

The most significant toilet plume risk is when one member of the household is sick. Exposure to disease-causing microbes in the restroom can swiftly spread the illness to other family members.

The best approach to keep toilet plume aerosols in the toilet bowl is to close the lid before flushing.

Should You Close Your Toilet Lid Before Flushing?

A thorough explanation of how a toilet’s flushing system operates will convince you of the need of closing the toilet lid before flushing.

The flushing system is meant to force the contents of the bowl into the drainpipe in a downward direction. However, the tremendous pressure generated during the flush cycle emits a tiny spray of microscopic particles into the air.

These particles will quickly spread if you do not close the toilet lid before flushing. Some of these particles travel up to 5 feet and remain in the air for several minutes.

They can fly right into your face, settle on your skin, or even land on objects in the bathroom, like as your toothbrush, shaving blade, and towel.

Aerosolised particles may remain for a long period in a poorly ventilated restroom, increasing the risk of infection.

Closing the toilet lid before flushing can help prevent the spread of aerosolised bacteria. As a result, you should make a conscious effort to close the toilet lid before flushing, as this is a good habit to develop.

What’s More Important: Washing Your Hands and Cleaning the Bathroom Regularly

Closing the toilet lid before flushing will undoubtedly keep aerosolized bacteria from spreading throughout your bathroom.

However, the most common way that individuals get sick from the germs in excrement is the hand-to-oral route.

As a result, regular hand washing and the bathroom cleaning become even more necessary.

Deep cleaning your bathroom on a regular basis will help you keep it clean at all times.

The risk of faecal-oral germ transfer is significant, particularly when touching high-touch surfaces like doorknobs and taps. As a result, you must wash your hands after using the restroom.

You can reduce your chances of being sick from germs lying in your toilet bowl or bathroom countertop by washing your hands every time you use the restroom. It’s also a good idea to avoid touching your face and mouth too often in everyday life.

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Upgrade your toilet now to minimise germs in your bathroom.