The dispute over germs when flushing the toilet flared up in a new way

Should I close the lid – that is the question

Flushing the toilet with the lid down doesn’t stop the spread of small germs, a new study finds. This is what scientists said in a published article in the American Journal of Infection Control.

Researchers detect microscopic viral particles throughout the toilet when a person flushes the toilet—whether the lid is up or down.

“A lot of people said that all you have to do is close the lid and the problem is solved,” lead researcher and microbiologist Charles Gerba commented to USA Today.

The expert added that when a person flushes the water, all the air spreads somewhere and carries away the viruses that are in the toilet. Previous studies have shown that closing the lid reduces the spread of germs, but Gerba noted that these results focused on larger virus particles.

While the new study found that closing the lid did not reduce overall bathroom contamination, it concluded that lowering the lid did change the trajectory of germs. When the toilet was closed, contamination levels were slightly higher on the left side and immediately in front of the toilet, but slightly lower on the right side of the toilet.

Scientists believe that instead of worrying about keeping the toilet closed, you should disinfect the toilet bowl, the water in the tank and nearby surfaces. Thus, this will be the best way to reduce the spread of germs.

Experts have found that the toilet becomes cleaner when the toilet is cleaned with a brush and a disinfectant containing hydrochloric acid.

“You really need to make sure you’re always cleaning the toilet seat and other areas of the restroom,” insists Charles Gerba. Experts recommend washing your hands for 20 seconds after using the restroom, but germs can linger in the bathroom for much longer after flushing the toilet.

According to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control, germs can survive on bathroom surfaces for about 30 minutes after flushing. To keep things and yourself clean, experts advise against storing products such as toothbrushes and cosmetics in an open space in the bathroom. And one more thing – experts do not recommend using the phone in the toilet.