How Often Should You Change Your Toilet Seat?
Since each of us goes to the toilet about 2 to 3 times a day – maybe even more – it’s important to know how to properly take care of a toilet to enjoy dependable and hygienic use for many years. Part of this is knowing how often you need to change the detachable seat.
If you’re unsure about how often you should change your toilet seats, we’ll help provide some clarity as we go through six clear signs you need a replacement as well as some factors you need to consider.
How often should you change your toilet seats?
It depends. A toilet seat is not meant to last forever. An average toilet’s lifespan is about 15 to 30 years, and its original toilet seat shouldn’t last that long due to obvious hygiene factors.
Typically, you should change toilet seats after every five years, but there are some definite signs that tell you that you should replace yours immediately.
6 Signs to Change Your Toilet Seat Right Away
To make this easier for you, here are six reasons why you should change your toilet seat as soon as possible.
When it has stains and discolouration
Generally speaking, toilet seats host a lot of bacteria due to all the waste that they’re exposed to. No matter how hard you scrub or how strong the cleaning chemicals you use, theres no denying that toilet seats are prone to disease-causing germs and bacteria. The same chemicals you use to clean your toilet seat may also cause the finish to wear off more easily. Stains and discolouration are visual indicators of germs, bacteria, and aging. For example, yellowish stains are likely to be due to bacterial buildup. A once-pristine white toilet seat turning cream-white or even yellow may be a sign of aging or overexposure to harsh cleaning chemicals. In either case, it’s best to replace it already.
When it gets damaged
Breaking or cracking is an obvious sign you should replace your toilet seat. Aside from the fact that these damages can render the toilet seat unusable, continued use can cause accidents or injuries. Plus, cracks in toilet seats are also breeding grounds for mold, mildew, bacteria, and germs.
When the hinges are too loose
Toilet seat hinges typically break when subjected to a lot of pressure or when the toilet seat is used incorrectly. When hinges are too loose, the seat will move around a lot and may cause slippery accidents and discomfort. Sometimes, you just need to tighten the hinges and bolts to fix the problem, but getting a new one can often be more practical.
When you don’t like it anymore
There’s nothing stopping you from remodelling your bathrooms every once in a while for better aesthetics and comfort. Among all the things you can switch up from time to time is your toilet seat. Even minimal changes like this can transform the whole look and feel of your bathroom, so feel free to throw out the old one and replace it with a better, upgraded toilet seat.
When a child is potty training
Some toilet seats today offer 2-in-1 options that combine regular-sized seats with secondary toddler-sized ones. If you have a child who needs to be potty trained, replacing your existing toilet seat with this kind might be a good idea.
When you move into a preowned home
The first thing you should consider replacing when you move into a preowned home is the toilet seats. Two reasons: hygiene and peace of mind. You don’t know whether the previous owner took good care of their toilet seats, or if they’ve ever replaced them at all. It’s much safer to just replace them when you move in.
Pick out the perfect toilet seat
Picking out toilet seats largely depends on your household’s lifestyle and habits. But there are five things you should consider when choosing which toilet seat is perfect for you:
- Durability
- Cost
- Hygiene
- Comfort
- Compatibility with your current toilet
Other nice-to-haves are soft-closing toilet seats and heated toilet seats which, of course, you need to pay a premium for.
Finally, be sure to take care of your toilet seats to prolong their lifespans and replace them every five years at most.
Shop for toilet seat replacements with Plumbing Sales
Here at Plumbing Sales, we offer a wide range of toilet seat replacements including those from big, reliable brands like Caroma, Fowler, Stylus, Haron, and Johnson Suisse. If you’re ready to switch to a new toilet seat, we have you covered.
We offer various toilet seats with different features to suit your exact needs. All our products are certified genuine and meet all Australian standards when it comes to toilet seat replacements, so you don’t have to worry about their quality.
We offer the best prices in the market, too. You can get free shipping to most locations within Australia for orders of $300 and above.
If you want the most convenient, affordable, and high-quality plumbing products, Plumbing Sales is the online store for you. Browse our shop today to see why we have been Australia’s favourite plumbing supply store for over 60 years.