Why Should I Put the Toilet Lid Down Before I Flush?
You flush the toilet, wash your hands, and walk away. Simple, right? Not quite.
Every time a toilet is flushed, the movement of the water can send tiny droplets and aerosol particles into the air. This is commonly called a toilet plume.
Normally, you can't see it.
That's what makes this video so interesting — and a little disgusting.
Watch What Happens When You Flush
Watch the fluorescent toilet-flush demonstration on YouTube
Watch on YouTube
The fluorescent material in demonstrations like this allows researchers to visualize how particles can be dispersed when a toilet is flushed. It isn't literally showing glowing bacteria flying around the bathroom. Instead, it demonstrates how material from the toilet bowl can be carried into the surrounding environment.
And what's usually sitting around your toilet?
Your sink. Your towels. Your faucet. Your toothbrush.
You get the picture.
So, Should You Close the Lid?
Yes. Close the lid before you flush.
It isn't an airtight seal, and closing it doesn't magically eliminate every aerosol particle. But it's a simple habit that can help contain larger droplets and change how aerosols are dispersed.
And while you're at it, clean the bathroom regularly, wash your hands, and maybe don't leave your toothbrush sitting two inches from the toilet.
Sometimes the best plumbing advice is the simplest: close the lid, then flush.