Using the restroom is a skill you pick up early on in life, but squatting toilets may be the only option in your area, so it’s natural to feel nervous about using a western toilet seat for the first time. Restroom business requires that it be carried out discreetly, and there is simply no legitimate way to do it. Take into account the people who will use the space after you.
When it comes down to using the western toilet seat, we all have routines that put us at ease, especially when using public restrooms that might not be as sanitary as at home. It is recommended to leave it in good shape, if not better, and try to aim with the greatest precision. Make an effort to clean or wipe off a missed target and ensure someone knows if the toilet is out of paper or not flushing properly. Here is a guide on how exactly to use a toilet seat.
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What is a Western Toilet Seat?
When using a Western toilet, you sit down instead of squatting, making things easier for those with trouble squatting, such as the elderly or those with joint problems. Toilet seat covers are commonly used in public restrooms to prevent the spread of germs. You won’t need a toilet seat cover if the bowl is relatively clean. If the toilet’s condition is less than ideal, remove the cover and suspend it, so the flap enters the bowl.
After using the toilet, flush the cover down the drain. Rather than sitting up straight, you should lean forward while on a western toilet seat. Women’s sanitary products, such as pads and tampons, can be discarded in designated bins. You can flush toilet paper down the toilet,
How to Use Western Toilet Seat Step-by-step
Step 1- Pull up the toilet cover straight and put down the toilet seat if facing upwards.
Step 2- Sit on the toilet seat. Avoid using the toilet by standing or squatting. Also, you can place a toilet seat cover if the toilet is dirty or you have an exposed wound on your bottom or thighs.
Utilize the paper liners available in the restrooms, taking care to flush them when you’re done. You can use clean toilet paper if you don’t have a toilet seat liner. Always include paper liners in your travel packs, among other necessities you may use on the go.
Step 3- Wipe excess waste using the tissue paper provided.
Step 4- Close the toilet lid. The term “toilet plume” is certainly familiar to you. If you close the toilet lid before you flush, you can reduce the amount of plumes (aerosolized microorganisms) emitted into the bathroom air.
Step 5- Flush the toilet to get rid of waste in the toilet. Since the toilet handle is usually the dirtiest portion of a public restroom, it’s best to use a tissue when flushing the toilet instead of your bare hands.
Also, it would help if you use toilet paper to clean any spillage on the seat, as this prevents waste from clinging to the bowl, which would otherwise necessitate more frequent flushing. If the flush does not function, please notify an attendant.
Step 6- Clean your hands! The most common way germs are spread in public restrooms is through unwashed hands. You can contaminate many different surfaces just by touching them with dirty hands. Stay healthy by maintaining a routine of hand washing.
Toilet Etiquette
Here are some toilet etiquettes you should follow;
- Always flush the toilet after use. Gross restrooms are a major turn-off.
- Secure the lock while you are inside.
- Avoid needless intrusion by knocking repeatedly or peeping if you suspect the restroom is occupied. Wait until the occupant comes out.
- Avoid carrying valuable items to the toilet as they may fall in, causing a blockage.
- Do not wet the floor or toilet seat to avoid accidents.
- Ladies should sit on the toilet while peeing, and men should stand closer to the toilet to reduce spillage.
- After using the restroom, always remember to wash your hands with antiseptic soap or sanitizer. To dry your hands, use a tissue.
- Don’t spit or leave graffiti on the wall.
- Don’t flush anything that isn’t toilet paper. Other paper waste must be discarded in the trash can and nowhere else. To properly dispose of sanitary napkins, you must place them in trash cans after sealing them in polybags.
Western Toilet Seats vs. Squat Toilets
Shape- When comparing a squat toilet to a standard toilet, the most noticeable difference is the toilet itself. Most residential bathrooms only have sit-down toilets. You use them sitting on the toilet, which takes up permanent space in your bathroom. Unlike western toilets, squat toilets are not raised off the ground. One uses a squat toilet by placing one foot on either side of the pan, often known as the “bowl,” and squatting to relieve oneself.
Flushing- Human waste is stored in a tank connected to the toilet seat in a conventional Western toilet, and the tank is flushed to remove the waste. The toilet seat and cover are connected to the bowl. You must physically flush waste from a sit-down toilet. It is possible to flush or not flush a squat toilet. You can “flush” your waste away at several establishments by pouring a pail of water down the drain. Keep in mind that you should never put paper in a squat toilet. Nonetheless, modern squat toilets are fully flushing and perform similarly to standard toilets in every other way.
Western toilets also typically have tissue paper conveniently located nearby, on the wall, or in a tissue holder placed on the floor. You can use tissue paper to wipe off any waste left. To prevent clogging, place discarded toilet paper in the trash can rather than flush it down the bowl.
What are the Benefits of a Western Toilet Seat?
They are Safe
Using a toilet with a seat is safer because it provides a stable posture from which to get up and out of the toilet. You can achieve more security and less risky bathroom mobility, especially for elder users, by installing additional hold rails near the toilet.
Easy to Fit
You can acquire western toilet seats that are easy to set up. Most toilet seats come with mounting hardware that can be tightened or loosened to ensure the seat’s absolute stability. You can install these brackets on the edges and back of the bowl. It’s not only simple to install but also to maintain. You can use a toilet disinfectant spray or antibacterial wipe to clean it and be good to go.
They Offer Comfort
People with mobility issues are understandably worried about the effects of their daily activities on their joints. Indeed, in certain situations, even mild joint use can result in excruciating pain and agony. Western toilet seats offer comfort. Reducing the amount of bending required of joints like the knees and hips can help those who suffer from inflammation, like those with arthritis.
Western Toilet Seats have stability.
You may opt for a toilet seat with or without grab rails. However, if you need extra help with your mobility, toilet seats with rails can come in handy. The added height will put less stress on your joints, such as your knees, and help you stand easier. The overall outcome should be increased confidence when using the bathroom.
Tips on choosing the right western toilet seat
Western toilet seats increase user comfort thanks to a larger seat surface and a rounded design. Modern toilet seats also have eco-friendly functions that are great for your home plumbing system. Adding a western-style toilet to your restroom is a great way to upgrade the space without spending a fortune. There are many types of toilet seats, so do some comparison shopping before making a final decision.
Make sure the western toilet seat you choose will fit in your bathroom. You should calculate the rough-in space required for your new toilet seat based on the distance between the walls of your bathroom. The term “rough-in area” describes the unused space surrounding your installation after you mount it. The more room there is for the rough-in, the more options you’ll have for a toilet seat. It would help to measure your bathroom before making any purchases, whether you plan on installing it yourself or are dealing with a professional plumber.
Take Away
Squatting has several health benefits and is recommended as an alternative to sitting when nature calls. Also, you spend much less time per visit unless you squat for an abnormally long time while probably using your phone. It’s unlikely that the squatting toilet will ever become more popular than the west toilet seat because most people still choose comfort and luxury over the minimal health benefits.
The cleanliness of your bathroom will improve now that you’ve learned how to use your toilet seat properly, but it may take some time to get used to. When you need to go, but there’s no Western toilet around, knowing how to use a squat toilet is useful.