# Do you close the lid on your toilet when it is not in use? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 19, 2011, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418 "2011-11-19T04:07:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/41 "2011-11-19T15:14:29Z")
For the pet-owners who keep it down so their pets won’t drink out of it – why do you care if your pets drink out of it? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/42 "2011-11-19T15:18:37Z")
No, we don’t in any of our bathrooms unless there are clothes hanging from the shower rod – the wife doesn’t like some of her blouses put in the dryer – in case the rod falls down. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/43 "2011-11-19T15:41:38Z")
> [@Maeglin](#): > > Now I can’t help but close the lid after I use public toilets. Most of the public toilets I see don’t have lids. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/44 "2011-11-19T16:03:07Z")
WARNING: This may seem nasty. I keep it down mostly cause I don’t flush after every pee. It just seems so water wasteful. After every second or third pee seems enough. If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down. ---
**Author:** ![applebetty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4af34b/32.png) [@applebetty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/applebetty)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/45 "2011-11-19T16:32:21Z")
I always close the lid because 1. cats and 2. I have to retrieve anything my clumsy self or said cats drop in there. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/46 "2011-11-19T16:42:09Z")
I was well-trained by a former gf. In fact, I didn’t realize until later in life that most women were only complaining about the leaving the seat up, not the lid! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Lovely_Margo_Lane)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/47 "2011-11-19T17:07:57Z")
> [@Jaledin](#): > > No. I think **it’s disgusting to have to touch any part of the toilet except the flushing handle** , and I am displeased when guests close the lid. Yes, I know all about toilet plume. I don’t care about that. (bolding mine) I may regret asking this, but how on earth does this work? Are you hovering in your own home??? ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/48 "2011-11-19T17:13:18Z")
Only when I’m using the blow dryer because I rest it on the toilet lid when I’m taking breaks. I’ve never noticed any spray – maybe mine’s not powerful enough. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Lovely_Margo_Lane)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/49 "2011-11-19T17:15:31Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I always keep the lid up for one reason: Many years ago I had a medical emergency and was in the hospital for 2 weeks. Since I wasn’t in constant contact with family, and was unemployed at the time, nobody missed me. My cat was alone in my apartment, and survived by eating houseplants and drinking from the toilet. If the lid had been down he may not have survived. > > Even now, my partner is often out of town, and we’re not always in contact. I keep the lid up just in case. Hmm, good one – not that you’re looking for my approval or anything, but this makes sense and I’ll try to keep it in mind in case my life circumstances change to the degree it becomes relevant. Actually when I lived in an apartment far away from family, my then-SO and I would leave one of the sinks dripping into a clean bowl whenever we were leaving for an overnight or longer trip, just in case something similar happened and none of our local friends found out quick enough to go help the kitties. Nowadays I don’t even lock my apartment door and my upstairs neighbor would definitely investigate if she heard the cat meowing and hadn’t seen us recently. She’s done it before when my cat sitter got sick partway through a 2-week trip and didn’t come by for 3 days. The sitter had left sufficient food and water and the cat was just lonely, but it was nice to know neighbor was looking out for him. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/50 "2011-11-19T17:18:54Z")
If I’m flushing after Number Two, I’ll close the lid first. If I’ve just had a quick pee, I won’t bother to close the lid, because (1) I don’t have to touch the toilet except for the flush handle, (2) it’s just extra work, and (3) with the lid up, it’s all ready to go when I need it next. FWIW I’m male and live alone. I do have cats, but if anything, that’s an argument for leaving the lid open: it decreases the probability that they’ll sit on the toilet and play with the toilet paper. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/51 "2011-11-19T17:32:00Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > For the pet-owners who keep it down so their pets won’t drink out of it – why do you care if your pets drink out of it? They tend to barf more if they get at the toilet water. > [@StGermain](#): > > Yes. My toilet seat is heated, and my bathroom is cold. Closing the lid and draping a towel over it retains the heat. You don’t want to sit on an unheated toilet seat when you’re half awake and it’s 45 degrees in your bathroom! > > StG I did not know this existed! I want a heated seat! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Lovely_Margo_Lane)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/52 "2011-11-19T17:56:32Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > For the pet-owners who keep it down so their pets won’t drink out of it – why do you care if your pets drink out of it? My cat is a larger old guy without great balance. I don’t want him to fall in and need a bath. Also I’d rather avoid possible illness from residual fecal matter and/or cleaning chemicals. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/53 "2011-11-19T18:33:27Z")
With my cats, it’s more a matter of keeping them from splashing around in there. Plus to keep stuff from falling in if they knock it off the shelf above. And I do use bleach tablets in the tank so the water is extra bleachy. I just rather they don’t mess around with it. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/54 "2011-11-19T18:41:44Z")
Closed - it looks better that way and I don’t have to worry about things falling in. My dog’s too short to drink from the bowl, and I’d rather that cats not take a leap and then run their soggy selves thru the house. However, I will not put a fuzzy cover on the toilet lid. Too bizarre… ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/55 "2011-11-19T18:44:54Z")
What I want to know, upon reading this thread so far, is why so many people have cats? Or is it just the cat-people who are more likely to post in a thread on this topic? ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/56 "2011-11-19T20:05:37Z")
It’s amazing how cats can be a reason to keep it open or to keep it closed. I guess some cats are beautiful and intelligent and some are barbarians out to destroy all that is good in the world. ---
**Author:** ![rinni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f6c823/32.png) [@rinni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rinni)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/57 "2011-11-19T20:46:13Z")
Closed! I’m clumsy, our bathroom is small, and there have been many occasions where I’ve thought, “Gee, I’m glad the toilet lid was closed, or else I’d be fishing that makeup brush/toothbrush/entire roll of toilet paper/severed head out of the bowl right now!” ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/58 "2011-11-19T20:46:14Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > For the pet-owners who keep it down so their pets won’t drink out of it – why do you care if your pets drink out of it? It’s gross, that’s why. We have four cats, and two food and two water bowls. One of the water bowls is one of those fountains for cats. Not only do the cats drink more out of the fountain, they also enjoy just watching the water move. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/59 "2011-11-19T21:35:01Z")
Numerous studies have found that if you flush with the lid open then the particles in your toilet Aerosol throughout quite a large room, let alone a bathroom. And if you’ve had a dump it holds back the smell. (Think that there may have been a Motown hit called that) (If you can smell it,then you’re actually tasting it!) So yes I do keep the lid closed. However if theres no lid, just a seat, its the opposite. “Dew drops” and pubic hairs linger on a horizontal seat, but may fall off if its kept in the vertical position. ---
**Author:** ![Capitaine\_Zombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418/60 "2011-11-19T21:41:07Z")
No, it’s the only way I will drink water. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-close-the-lid-on-your-toilet-when-it-is-not-in-use/603418.md?page=4)