Forcing guests to close toilet lid before flushing

[MerryBlimminXmas]

In our house, we close the toilet lid before flushing. Reason being is that the poo/wee water spray will go absolutely everywhere if the lid is left open (lots of videos available online if anyone is interested).

The issue we have is that pretty much ALL guests don’t do this. Now, I don’t mind what people choose to do in their own homes and appreciate that the majority of the population are happy for everything in the vicinity of their loo to be covered in urine and faeces don’t bother to close the lid. However, I would much prefer it if they closed the lid before flushing in our house.

How can we make it happen? In a previous home, the flush button was literally behind the toilet lid, so it should have been easy to close the lid just to get to the button and people STILL left the lid up every time.

Don’t really want to put a sign up (would be annoying the majority of the time when we don’t have guests), nor to speak to people about it (cringe). Any ingenious ideas that could work? Surely we’re not the only people who prefer the lid closed - how have others made it work with guests?

Put a lock on the outside of the toilet so everyone has to ask for a key to use the loo and charge them £1 for cleaning before they go.
If they put the seat down they get the £1 back .
I hate it when people do a number 2 in my downstairs toilet 💩
I also have family members who pop in one the way back from the shops , I soon stopped that.

Genuine question, I've seen all this about closing the lid when you flush but does anybody else not think that all those alledged germs will then be covering the underneath of the seat and the next person to use the toilet will get them all over the backs of their clothing which will then end up on your chair backs😳

Can’t you just put plastic dust sheets over everything when guests arrive? That’s what we do. And a germicidal foot bath by the entrance.

But why does knowing microscopic poo particulars are on the brush matter? Also how does looroll or bleach get off marks below the waterline? Alsoso how much bleach and water must you end up using?

Some of these guests are family who have been going to our toilets/bathrooms for ~10 years!

Surely this gives you an idea of what a non-issue this is, since both you and they have managed to stay alive for 10 years through these mists of poo and wee.

More to the point, how is it more hygienic to put your bare hand in the loo to wipe skid marks than it is to use a loo brush or not closing the lid when flushing?

And expecting visitors to do that too? 🤢🤢

I appreciate you would like visitors to maintain your standards. But seriously how many guests do use your bathroom?
I would suggest you have a simple or decorative - sign that you can hang above the loo, asking the user to close before flushing.
Beyond that I don't know what you can do. Other than ask people to close the lid before flushing.

No, I really wouldn't. You can't see them, they're too small, they're everywhere and by and large they do no harm.

You can chill out and leave the loo seat however you like - it makes little to no difference:

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2024/01/25/does-it-matter-if-you-flush-with-toilet-lid-up-or-down-not-really/72321820007/

Fair enough, I appreciate the perspective

Designate one of your toilets only for use by guests and don't go in there yourself, so if they don't follow your rules, you ll still be safe from germs.
Maybe just don't have guests..ight be easier...or get therapy.

I think new lower level flushes spread fewer germs than the old style loos. All you can do is clean surfaces once guests have gone and don't keep toothbrushes out. Personally I think having a toothbrush near a spraying loo is disgusting!

If your view is that strong then just don’t invite them over?

Wow this seems very extreme how passionate you are about this.do you enjoy your guests company when they are round or are you constantly worried about if they put your toilet lid down. I understand as a family doing this but if the odd guest doesn’t that’s not a huge problem. There’s a lot worse problems in the world.

Maybe put a button on the toilet seat that ONLY let's you push the flush when the seat is down.

I would much rather someone didnt'put the lid down than they put it down but then didn't bother to check if everything had flushed and left me to face what was left when I next went and lifted the lid. Too many people (at work in my experience) put the lid down, flush, and go.

Why don’t you purchase an automatic closing toilet seat?

problem solved 👏

Whilst I accept you may have a point I think you are overstating it. I don't close my toilet lid and nothing escapes the bowl when I flush. I know that for a fact because I live alone and therefore have to clean the bathroom including in and around the toilet.

I love the sentiment of your post, I’m just the same.

I have often been shocked by the toilet habits of seemingly sophisticated friends and colleagues - one even left skid marks on new bedding!

Just tell them straight, it’s your house and you insist on lids being down before flushing.

Don’t know the answer but I have this issue too - we’re very much a toilet lid down house but guests never put the lid down. I just don’t know why people can’t leave it as they found it. I can feel your irritation.

You ain’t going to have any friends left if you tell them to do this. It’s just plain odd.

like the family at school who put all their toothbrushes in the dishwasher every week.

I’m the same as you OP! Don’t get it when people don’t. I’m not sure what you can do about it though.
if you’re very bothered, you could bring it up in convo before people go and make a joke of it? I also agree with lots of posters and just make sure you do a good clean after people have visited

Maybe don't invite guest over or answer the doorbell😂

Do you have a cat?

I know someone who does, and their cat has a tendency to fall down the toilet the lid is up!

They have a hilarious picture asking people to close the seat to stop tiddles going swimming!

I also know someone whose dog likes to drink toilet water, and they have a sign in their toilet (not funny) asking people to close the lid… we all know why though!

If you have a pet you could find a picture or order one from Etsy stating that closing the lid is required to protect your pet…

This with sugar on top.

Jeez do people really obsess about this because they watched a YouTube video once? 🙄

The fact that you’re embarrassed to ask people shows how batshit you know it is.