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 🌍
see continuation on next page
