How gross is it to flush with the toilet lid up?
Microbiologist Dr. Charles Gerba says, it’s pretty gross! You can’t see it with the naked eye, but every flush sprays germs out like a Fourth of July firework. It’s the “aerosol effect,” which showers everything within a 5-foot radius with germs and viruses. And yes, Dr. Gerba says you could get physically ill from leaving the lid up while flushing.
Because even with a low-flow toilet, the aerosol effect spews thousands of little droplets into the air. So no matter what type of toilet you’re using, flush with the lid down.