In the basic structure of a house, one essential room is the bathroom – a crucial space used daily for personal hygiene activities such as bathing. However, a controversial question arises: should the bathroom door be left open or closed when not in use?
Some people prefer to keep the bathroom door open, believing that it promotes ventilation, eliminates odors, and maintains a fresh and clean space. In contrast, others advocate for keeping the door closed due to concerns about the spread of bacteria and unpleasant smells from the bathroom into the surrounding areas.
The answer to this question may depend on various factors, including the bathroom’s location within the house, the arrangement of the ventilation system and air circulation, as well as individual family preferences for maintaining a clean and comfortable home environment.
What do experts advise as the correct answer?
It is best to keep the bathroom door closed when not in use.
According to experts, it is advisable to keep the bathroom door closed when it is not in use. As rightly assumed by some, bathrooms harbor numerous bacteria and unpleasant odors. These can quickly spread to the living room, kitchen, or bedrooms through the air.
Experts recommend keeping the bathroom door closed when not in use.
Hence, closing the door helps prevent the spread of bacteria and odors, maintaining the air quality and the family’s health. This is especially important for bathrooms located inside bedrooms or close to the living room or cooking area, as emphasized by experts.
Additionally, the bathroom is a rather private and sensitive area in any household. Keeping the door closed helps maintain the overall aesthetics of the house and shows consideration and neatness when hosting guests, especially if the bathroom is not spotlessly clean and tidy.
What other things should be kept closed or covered in the bathroom?
Apart from the main door, experts also recommend keeping the following things in the bathroom closed or covered to prevent the spread of bacteria and odors: the toilet lid, drain cover, and trash bin.
Regarding the toilet, scientists have conducted experiments, like the one performed by researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder, to demonstrate the risk of bacteria dispersion into the surrounding space when the lid is left open. They used a special green laser light, projecting it onto the toilet area during and after flushing with the lid up.
Scientists have conducted experiments to highlight the spread of bacteria from open toilet lids.
The results revealed a significant presence of bacteria-carrying bubbles and water droplets suspended in the air, invisible to the naked eye. These bacteria can adhere to surfaces, objects, or even people, potentially causing skin issues or respiratory problems. Thus, it is advisable to close the lid before flushing to minimize the spread.
As for the drain, the area surrounding it is one of the dirtiest in the bathroom, according to Safehome.org. Regular cleaning of this area is essential, and keeping the drain covered when not in use helps limit the spread of bacteria. Similarly, keeping the trash bin closed prevents odors and gives a neater appearance to the bathroom.
