Are You Flushing Your Toilet With The Lid Open? Here Is Why You Need To Stop Doing This - Says Study

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After you are done with your toilet, you really should put your toilet seat down before flushing.

The main reason why you should put the toilet lid down before flushing it is due to the phenomenon known as 'toilet plume'.

When you flush a toilet, the water that swirls at high speed to remove the waste from the bowl shoots aerosolized faeces into the air. These aerosol plumes can reach as high as 15 feet.

Hence, it is considered mandatory that you lower the seat before flushing, especially if the washroom is used multiple times.

A study published in the journal Applied Microbilogy found that whatever you put in the toilet can stay there long after you flush.

After the toilet is infected with potentially dangerous bacteria and viruses, the researchers found that the toilet dispersed the microbes far enough to settle on other places in the washroom like the floor, sink and your toothbrush.

The microbes also remained on the toilet's bowl porcelain surface even after multiple flushes. The number of microbes decreased after the first few flushes, the population levelled out and remained until it was scrubbed off.

Bacteria like salmonella and shigella as well as viruses like norovirus and hepatitis A are transmitted when the faecal matter enters the mouth.

Hence, it is considered a good idea to store your oral-related items in the cabinet outside the washroom.

Further, proper hygiene is more important than any toilet plume prevention. It is mandatory that you wash your hands before you exit the toilet.

Some of the harmful germs that can breed in the washroom include gastrointestinal viruses, enteric pathogens, skin organisms, respiratory viruses, residual fungi, etc.

The spread of these pathogens can be prevented with the help of good washroom etiquette and hygiene practices.

Apart from these, the other types of bacteria found in the washroom are E.coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococus aureus, Salmonella, Enterbacter, etc.

We have also listed some of the hygiene tips that you can make use of while using public washrooms.

Avoid touching the toilet door knob with bare hands. Door knobs carry germs from multiple sources and may cause infections. You need to use a tissue paper while holding the knob from outside as well as inside.

Take care of your personal belongings. Germs in our hands can be washed out; but it will spread onto your bags and phone.

When you flush, immediately get out of the toilet. The probability of getting infected with air-borne germs and bacteria is very high.

Avoid using a hand dryer inside the toilet. The blow dryer giving out hot air has the ability to spread the germs present in the air around. To avoid getting infected, you need to wash hands thoroughly and use a paper towel to wipe hands.

Always prefer an Indian style toilet instead of a western one, to avoid any direct contact with the toilet surface. In case you can't find one, hover over the seat without making any contact.

In the end, use a hand sanitizer and you're good to go.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.