Not all of us closely inspect a toilet seat before we settle ourselves down on it, but if we did, might we be surprised at what we find?
What do scientists have to say about toilet seat germs?
Since identifying that bacteria were the causes of certain diseases, more than 150 years ago, many of us have become obsessed about germs and the abundance of cells. However, while this is understandable, our concerns may be a little misguided. Every day, wherever we are and whatever we’re doing, we’re surrounded by trillions of species of bacteria, that live in the soil, ocean, air and on our skin, and are for the most part, wholly unavoidable. When we think about bacteria being equal to disease, and more bacteria being equal to more disease, this isn’t necessarily the reality.
Scientists say that even if we could eliminate all germs, we wouldn’t thrive as a society without them. Bacteria help plants grow by fixing nitrogen in the soil, aid our own digestion, and help us to make delicious food stuffs such as sourdough bread and coffee, among many other useful purposes that we doubtless take for granted. In short, the amount of bacteria present doesn’t indicate a higher risk of contracting something harmful, since most bacteria are exactly that, harmless.
When it comes to toilet seats, experts say that they are a terrible yardstick for measuring germs and risk levels, since most of us keep them clean using bleach and other strong chemicals, soil is likely to contain more bacteria and of a far greater diversity.
So, how should you clean your toilet seat and how often?
How often you clean your toilet seat is up to you, but for normal hygiene purposes, doing so at least once a week is probably acceptable. When we think about germs on toilet seats, we usually associate it with the species of bacteria called Vibrio cholera, found in human poop and capable of killing thousands of people every year. However, unless cholera or some other pathogenic bacterium already exists in your household, you’re extremely unlikely to catch it from touching your own toilet seat.
In conclusion, while there may be bacteria present on the toilet seat in your home, the chances of them making you sick are pretty low. However, a hygienically clean toilet seat is always a good thing, and if yours sees a lot of action every day, be sure to clean it regularly to keep germs at bay.
If your bathroom needs a deep clean or you live in a busy household that means your bathroom sees a lot of footfall every day, consider hiring a professional cleaning company to get it spotless, looking clean and smelling fresh.
