Do You Close the Lid When You Flush?

I keep reading magazine articles that talk about how dirty our bathrooms are. Supposedly when you flush the toilet thousands of germs are released into the air landing on the counter, hairbrush, toothbrush etc. I don't know about you, but I don't want to put all those germs into my mouth when I brush my teeth.

At our house, we always keep the lid closed on the toilet. I close the lid and then flush... however I have been wondering if that stops the germs from getting into the air. I did some research and found this article what happens when you flush . It confirms that closing the lid does prevent the germs from spreading into the air. Phew! I feel better now.

Remember- close the lid and then flush!!

Posted Tuesday Apr 15

(04/15/08 06:47AM) — Lynn Franklin

I will now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(04/15/08 06:49AM) — Christina Moock, REALTOR Cutler Real Estate

Lol! I don't even want to think about public restrooms and all the germs!

(04/15/08 06:54AM) — Laura Giannotta Keller Williams Atlantic

First, let me say YUK...

It's always something, to quote my favorite Gilda character Roseann Rosannadana. We'll all start using the bleach and then we'll see the article on what it's doing to the environment!

(04/15/08 06:56AM) — Melody Botting Real Estate Network

Thanks for making me a bigger germaphob (sp?) than I already am! You just added more time to my cleaning regime.

(04/15/08 06:58AM) — Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector

If you think it is bad in your home, you need to read the reports about public rest rooms especially in restaurants. That will really want you to stay at home.

(04/15/08 07:03AM) — Laura Karambelas-Chicagoland Real Estate

Christina- Besides the germs, I had read that it was bad "feng shui" to keep your lids open...so we always close them.

(04/15/08 07:09AM) — Susan Mangigian, West Chester PA Realtor RE/MAX Preferred, ABR

I just have one comment. Ewww! I have started leaving the lid down because I read somewhere it's better for feng shui. Now I have two reasons.

(04/15/08 07:14AM) — Diane Bell, Hilton Head Real Estate, Bluffton

This is my pet peeve but trying to get everyone to obey the rule is somewhat difficult at times.

(04/15/08 07:28AM) — Melody Botting Real Estate Network

Does actually touching the lid to open it bother anyone else?

(04/15/08 07:36AM) — lin pileggi

Even better: MLS pics with the toilet seat WIIIIDE open!! Yuck

(04/16/08 01:40PM) — Christina Moock, REALTOR Cutler Real Estate

Everyone: thanks for reading my blog. I'm just glad that I know that closing the lid does help with the germs flying into the air.

Lin- Eww I hate MLS pics with the lid up, or even with the whole seat up. It only takes a second to close them and looks much better!

Melody- It depends on how clean it looks. At home I'm not afraid, if it looks dirty I try to barely touch it.

Diane- after a while it just becomes a habit to shut the lid.

Susan and Laura- I had no idea that keeping the lid open was bad feng shui. Just another reason to keep it closed!

Michael- I would hate to find out about public restrooms. It's better to not think about those things. I might become obsessive compulsive about germs.

Melody- How about if you come clean my house when you finish yours??? Ha ha.

Lynn- Hope you are closing the lid from now on! Once you get used to it you won't even think about it anymore.

(04/22/08 04:59AM) — KEVIN CORSA H.I.S. Home Inspections Stark & Summit County, OH Home Inspector

Ok, so you close the lid to prevent the germs from flying into the air...well where do they go then? On the lid and seat of course! So next time you sit, there are those same germs waiting for you. LOL - Better get the Lysol!

(04/22/08 05:48AM) — Christina Moock, REALTOR Cutler Real Estate

Kevin- Lol! that is definately true! I guess better to be on the toilet seat than the toothbrush.