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.
