this post was submitted on 07 Aug 2023
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This seems like something that should be true, but I think I remember seeing a Mythbusters episode where they decided it didn't make a difference. That show was more about entertainment than science, so I wondered if there was a more rigorous study done? I've definitely seen splashes of water(?) come out from flushes so that alone seems to argue for closing lids.

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[–] [email protected] 44 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I remember watching a video where they added some liquid visible with UV to the water and flushed, there were droplets everywhere including the tester's face.

It's not a study but it's enough to make me close the lid, especially when my toothbrush is in the same room.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 year ago

Yes, toothbrushes live uncomfortably close to the loo in my house too.

A friend gave me some light banter about closing the lid = under my wife's thumb but it's absolutely about me attempting to keep the toilet business contained to the toilet!

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I saw the same or a very similar video.

Someone once tried to argue against it by saying it still got the droplets in the air with the lid closed so there's no point. My counterargument was that it still contained a lot of the droplets by closing it and that it's the most minor of inconveniences to close it so you should just do it anyways.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Ah the ol "it's not 100% effective and guaranteed to work so you should actually do nothing about it" argument...a true classic in any situation

Seriously though...I never even considered all the splashing and I'm a grown ass adult :/ happily my and my daughters toothbrush live in the kitchen

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I'm pretty sure it was mythbusters