What Is Toilet Plume, and How Can We Avoid It?

The term "toilet plume" might seem unfamiliar or even a bit quirky, but it's an actual event occurring in our everyday bathrooms. It's crucial to understand this phenomenon to uphold the highest standards of cleanliness. 

flushing toilet, chrome handle white toilet

So what exactly is a toilet plume? Essentially, it's the minuscule droplets that get launched into the air when the toilet is flushed. These small particles can ascend up to six feet and can remain suspended in the air before settling on the surrounding surfaces. The plume can potentially contain bacteria, viruses, and other microbes from the toilet, leading to potential cross-contamination.


The University of Colorado Boulder did a multitude of experiments to see just how far and wide toilet plume may travel. The results were shocking. The plume shoots from the toilet like a rocket, spraying micro particles and toilet germs everywhere. In real life these particles coat your skin, clothes, hair, and personal belongings. Gross! 




The extent to which toilet plume impacts human health is currently under scientific scrutiny. However, it's undisputed that aerosols from the toilet bowl, particularly in shared or public restrooms, are not something we want to come into contact with, let alone inhale.


So how can we minimize the impact of toilet plume? Here are several tactics:


Shut the Lid Prior to Flushing: This is the most straightforward and efficient way to limit the dispersion of toilet plume. By shutting the lid before flushing, you confine most of the droplets within the toilet. The problem with this is that out in public, there often isn’t a lid to close! 


Frequent Cleaning: Regular and comprehensive cleaning of the toilet and nearby areas can help eliminate any microbes that have settled on surfaces. The cleaner the toilet, the less germs can be aerosolized and sent into the air. The issue here is that unless you bring cleaning supplies with you, you don’t really get to control how clean a public toilet is. 


Effective Ventilation: A bathroom with good ventilation can help dissipate and remove aerosols more rapidly. Ensure to use an exhaust fan if available, or open a window post-use.


These measures can possibly help reduce the risk of toilet plume. Nevertheless, recent advancements in bathroom hygiene have introduced an even more efficient solution. Splashh Powder, our innovative foaming toilet powder, offers an additional line of defense against toilet plume.


Splashh Powder, when used, quickly forms a dense foam barrier on the water's surface. This barrier effectively captures and confines the energy from a toilet flush, thereby reducing the aerosolization of droplets. The foam's adhesive nature prevents micro-droplets from escaping into the air, substantially minimizing the toilet plume.


Furthermore, the components of Splashh Powder – citric acid and baking soda – combine to form sodium citrate, a gentle cleaner that aids in maintaining a cleaner toilet bowl. The product also incorporates essential oils, killing germs while leaving a pleasing aroma and enhancing the overall bathroom ambiance.


In summary, toilet plume, although often disregarded, is an important aspect of bathroom hygiene to consider. By implementing simple steps and leveraging innovative solutions like a foaming toilet powder, we can significantly diminish the risk and foster a cleaner, healthier bathroom environment.