Disturbing Video Shows The Consequences Of Not Closing Your Toilet Lid Before Flushing

A viral video of a scientific experiment featuring half of a toilet has spread across social media platforms like TikTok and X, and it's likely to change your perception of your toothbrush.

The TikTok video, created by DIYMAN_PRO, vividly demonstrates the amount of germs released into the air when a toilet is flushed.

In the experiment, a green laser is placed on the toilet seat to capture the moment when thousands of germs from the flushing water disrupt the laser beam.

In a subsequent experiment, he pours neon liquid directly into the toilet tank, allows it to mix, and then flushes again. 

Germs from the toilet are seen flying out of the loo when it is flushed. TikTok/DIYMAN_PRO

This reveals the extensive reach of "poo particles," illuminated by a black light.

The ultraviolet light revealed that germs escape from the toilet and contaminate nearly everything nearby, including toothbrushes.

This experiment isn't unique in its findings. 

John Crimaldi, then a professor of engineering at the University of Colorado in 2022, conducted a similar study. 

According to Business Insider, Crimaldi and his team were astonished by the results, as they had no prior expectation that germs would spread so extensively and broadly.

What could be described as 'poo particles' from the toilet landed on a nearby toothbrush in the experiment. TikTok/DIYMAN_PRO

Writing in the study, which was published here, the researchers noted: “Our results demonstrate the surprisingly energetic and rapid growth of aerosol plumes from a commercial toilet and highlight the chaotic nature of the fluid kinematics that transport the particles.”

Crimaldi mentioned that his footage has the potential to alter people's views on conventional toilets, noting that he himself has begun to regard them with suspicion.

He told the publication: "You go to the bathroom, you flush the handle, the stuff disappears, you're like: 'boom, works great!'"

"Then you look at the videos that we took and you're like: 'oh, maybe not so great!'"

"I can tell you this has fundamentally changed my relationship with toilets. I look at them suspiciously now."

Adding: "I can sort of see in my mind's eye these aerosol clouds that are filling that whole room."

According to research conducted by University College Cork, flushing the toilet with the lid down can reduce airborne particles escaping from your toilet by up to 50 percent.

So, while I apologize for sharing this footage with you, at least now you can rest assured that you won't be unknowingly brushing your teeth with toilet-contaminated water anymore!