This seems like something that should be true, but I think I remember seeing a Mythbusters episode where they decided it didn’t make a difference. That show was more about entertainment than science, so I wondered if there was a more rigorous study done? I’ve definitely seen splashes of water(?) come out from flushes so that alone seems to argue for closing lids.

  • Renacles@discuss.tchncs.de
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    1 year ago

    I remember watching a video where they added some liquid visible with UV to the water and flushed, there were droplets everywhere including the tester’s face.

    It’s not a study but it’s enough to make me close the lid, especially when my toothbrush is in the same room.

    • Deebster@lemmyrs.orgOP
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      1 year ago

      Yes, toothbrushes live uncomfortably close to the loo in my house too.

      A friend gave me some light banter about closing the lid = under my wife’s thumb but it’s absolutely about me attempting to keep the toilet business contained to the toilet!

    • Jaarsh119@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I saw the same or a very similar video.

      Someone once tried to argue against it by saying it still got the droplets in the air with the lid closed so there’s no point. My counterargument was that it still contained a lot of the droplets by closing it and that it’s the most minor of inconveniences to close it so you should just do it anyways.

      • Tigerfishy@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Ah the ol “it’s not 100% effective and guaranteed to work so you should actually do nothing about it” argument…a true classic in any situation

        Seriously though…I never even considered all the splashing and I’m a grown ass adult :/ happily my and my daughters toothbrush live in the kitchen

  • hmancuso@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I think someone urgently needs to come up with one of these solutions:

    1. The foot-operated lid;
    2. The toilet with flush and suction;
    3. The Jedi throne (a Jedi-style toilet lid activated by hand movements) and lastly
    4. The Terminator (a time-activated flames of hell) solution. The time-activated mechanism locks the toilet door after the user leaves and burns the entire compartment at solar flare temperatures.
    • Gimly@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      In France they have public toilets that basically do this. The toilet gets completely cleaned automatically with hot water and detergent after you used it. It works by locking up after you unlocked the door after using it. If you hold the door for someone, they get the cleaning treatment.

      • hmancuso@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Unfortunately, I’ve never been to France, but nothing beats a spotless clean public toilet. And, thanks for the tip: if someone holds the door for you, kindly step back. That alone should be highlighted in all tourist guides.

        • Gimly@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          It’s written quite clearly on the door, but last time I used one I saved a tourist who would have had an unfortunate shower. She grabbed the door when I went out and was going in, I had to warn her and tell her to first let the door close so that the wash cycle would do its job.

          • hmancuso@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            You know what they say: you have to rush when Mother Nature calls. Under those circumstances, it can be difficult to read the instructions first. Good to know you saved the poor tourist a free chemical bath.

    • Mr PoopyButthole@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      Jim Jeffries had a whole bit on his show about his idea for a foot pedal that lifts and lowers the seat, just begging for anyone to make it.

      Some day I’ll buy a bass drum kick pedal and a 3D printer and make it happen.

      I’ve only found one product that does this, it’s all plastic, very expensive, and the reviews are terrible.

      • hmancuso@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Jim’s a clever guy. We could even seek inspiration in some trash cans that have embraced the pedal idea. Can you believe we’re in the 21st century, surround by ai systems, risking extinction for various reasons, and unable to solve the toilet seat conundrum?

  • Spzi@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    The real question is wether it has an effect which matters. Does it impact your health? Does something get damaged by becoming wet? Things like that.

    I’m pretty sure there is next to no such effect. Which still does not mean this is the answer!

    I think the actual answer is to do what feels better for you. This has probably a much bigger effect on your health than actual droplets.

    • Deebster@lemmyrs.orgOP
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      1 year ago

      Toothbrushes were mentioned, and I’d assume that the toothpaste does a good enough job at killing bacteria that it doesn’t make a difference, aside from that the bacterial load is probably low enough to be negligible.

      But yeah, you don’t want to be thinking about putting a pooey stick in your mouth either.

    • nyoooom@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Pretty sure aerosolized droplets from the toilets are a great way to spread diseases, especially digestion-related stuff

      But yeah that’s not a scientific argument right there, just a hypothesis

    • Tigerfishy@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I mean, we still CLEAN our toilets when they’re still just visibly stained with hard water or whatever causes rings and whatnot, so I can see the feeling better about being a huge component

    • SoleInvictus@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Great video. Clearly, the only viable option is to never flush again. All of our work toilets lack lids, so we’re just gonna start stacking turds.

      /s

    • Salamander@mander.xyz
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      1 year ago

      Woah, cool video! I think this video deserves its own post. I just need to figure out which scientific community it is most relevant to … Physics? Epidemiology? Hmmm 🤔

  • shawnshitshow@sopuli.xyz
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    1 year ago

    Just think about all those public restrooms with like 8 toilets in a small area, all of which have no lids (not like anyone would put them down anyway) and use those super high pressure flushing mechanisms!

  • dreadedsemi@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I close the lid as neutral of keepibg the seat up or down. Just close the lid and everyone has to lift seat/lid

  • Ilikepornaddict@lemmynsfw.com
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    1 year ago

    I seem to recall that Mythbusters episode proving the exact opposite. They showed that fecal matter definitely gets sprayed all over the bathroom when the lid is up when flushed.

    • Deebster@lemmyrs.orgOP
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      1 year ago

      You may be right; it was about 20 years ago I watched it. Perhaps their conclusion was it happens just as much when the lid is down.

  • WEAPONX@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    But how do i use the brush then, if the lid is closed? Don’t you use the brush while simultaneously flushing the toilet?

    • Reborn2966@feddit.it
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      1 year ago

      you don’t, most of the time is not needed. if it is, a sencond lighter flush with the brush thing will take care of everything that is still there. with a controlled flush you just let some water run.