Flushing the toilet after urinating is an automatic action for most of us. We do it without thinking, convinced that it’s synonymous with cleanliness, hygiene, and good manners. But what if you were told that this common habit could be a mistake? 😲

In times where drinking water is a valuable and increasingly scarce resource, and where environmental health is at stake, some everyday habits need to be rethought. One of them is precisely this: flushing the toilet every time we urinate. 💧

Below, we’ll tell you why this seemingly harmless gesture might not be as healthy or sustainable as we think, and what alternatives exist to protect both your environment and your wallet. 💵🌱

1️⃣ The aerosol effect: what you don’t see can be harmful 🦠

When we flush the toilet, especially with the lid open, the water doesn’t just flow down… it also sprays. This phenomenon is called the aerosol effect, and it refers to the thousands of droplets that disperse into the air after flushing. 😷

The problem?

These microdroplets can contain traces of urine, bacteria, and other microorganisms that lodge on nearby surfaces, such as:

Toothbrushes 🪥

Face towels 🧼

Cosmetics or personal hygiene products 💄

Cell phones or other items often left in the bathroom 📱

Although many people don’t notice it, this invisible spray can increase the risk of exposure to bacteria like E. coli, especially in small, poorly ventilated bathrooms. Therefore, a basic hygiene measure is to always close the lid before flushing the toilet. 🚽✅

2️⃣ Water waste: a luxury we can no longer afford 💸💧

Flushing the toilet after every urination means using between 6 and 10 liters of drinking water… for every time someone urinates! 😱

Do the math: if four people live in a house and each one urinates at least six times a day, more than 200 liters could be wasted every day just on that. And if we multiply that by weeks and months… the result is alarming. 🧮

💡 Did you know?

The water we use to flush the toilet is the same water we use to drink. Yes, it’s drinking water!

In some regions, more than 25% of total household consumption goes down the toilet alone.

There are places in the world where access to drinking water is a privilege, not a norm.

🔁 So, wouldn’t it make more sense to reserve that amount of water for truly essential uses?

3️⃣ Sustainable alternatives: hygiene without waste 🌍

We know that not everyone can immediately upgrade their toilet to a more eco-friendly one. But we can adopt more conscious and sustainable habits. Here are some practical recommendations:

✅ 1. Change your mindset: not everything has to go right away

At home, especially if it’s just urine and there are no strong odors, you can choose not to flush the toilet immediately. Some people know this as the rule:

“If it’s yellow, leave it alone. If it’s brown, flush it down the toilet.”

Yes, it may sound funny 😅, but it’s an effective way to reduce unnecessary water use.

✅ 2. Install dual-flush toilets

Modern toilets with a dual-flush button allow you to choose between a short flush (3 liters) or a full flush (6-9 liters). This represents a saving of up to 60% in water consumption.

✅ 3. Reuse water for flushing

In some homes, buckets are placed to collect shower water while it heats up. This water can be used to clean the bathroom or to flush the toilet manually.

✅ 4. Keep the bathroom clean without relying on water

Cleaning the toilet frequently with appropriate products, even without flushing it every time, can maintain hygiene without using gallons and gallons of water.

4️⃣ And urine? Is it dangerous if it stays there for a while? 🤨

There is a popular myth that urine is 100% sterile. This isn’t entirely true, although it isn’t a highly dangerous substance either.

Urine is bodily waste, yes, but it primarily contains water, minerals, and waste products filtered by the kidneys. Sitting on the toilet for a few hours doesn’t pose a significant health risk, as long as the bathroom is ventilated and cleaned regularly. 😌

Furthermore, the unpleasant odor doesn’t appear immediately, but rather accumulates over several hours and multiple urinations. If you live alone or with a partner, it’s perfectly possible to space out your urination.

5️⃣ Real benefits of changing this habit ✅

Adopting this small practice can generate significant benefits, both at home and socially and environmentally:

🔹 Savings on water bills
🔹 Reduction in ecological impact
🔹 Greater awareness about water use
🔹 Less surface contamination by aerosols
🔹 Promotion of sustainable habits at home

🙌 Conclusion: It’s not about being unhygienic, but about being smart.

We’re not saying you should never flush the toilet again, but rather that you should do it consciously. Learning to distinguish when it’s necessary and when it isn’t is part of a more sustainable, responsible, and planet-friendly life. 🌎💚

In a world where every drop counts, these small gestures make a big difference. Start today, in your bathroom, and spread the word. 🚿♻️

Want to try it for a week?

Share this article with your friends and family and help them discover what no one taught us: that flushing the toilet all the time isn’t as good an idea as it seems.