You May Not Be Replacing Your Toilet Seat As Often As You Should

While cleaning the bathroom is at the top of most people's list of chores, replacing the toilet seat is often overlooked. Toilet seats break and become gross with time and use, even when they're cleaned regularly. Though toilets can last for decades, their seats are usually made of less durable material, such as plastic, and won't last nearly as long as the toilet itself.

In an interview with Southern Living, Prescott Design owner Summer Little explained how often you should replace your toilet seat. "You should expect to replace a toilet seat every five years or so, depending on usage. No one wants to be greeted by a dingy toilet seat, so if there is a crack or stains remain even after cleaning, it's ready for retirement," she said. Loose hinges, scratches, or a seat that easily shifts are all signs it might be time to consider replacing your toilet seat.

Depending on how many people live in your home, you may need to replace your toilet seat sooner than expected. The more often a toilet is used, the more the lid and seat will be lifted and closed, which will wear out the hinges. This causes the toilet seat to move around, making it uncomfortable to use and more difficult to clean. While tightening the hinges sometimes solves this issue, replacing the seat is usually the best option.

If your toilet seat isn't broken, discolored, or uncomfortable, replacing it could still be a good idea. Installing a new toilet seat can improve the look of your bathroom without needing to remodel the entire room. Swapping out an old toilet seat for a new one is also smart when you move into a new house. Since it's impossible to know how often or well the toilet seat was cleaned by previous owners or tenants, buying a new one will bring peace of mind.

Before purchasing a new toilet seat, you'll need to measure your toilet to make sure you get the right size. Using a tape measure, determine the length and width of the bowl, as well as the distance between the bolts of the toilet seat. Once you know the dimensions of your toilet seat, you can choose a new one in any color you like. There are also a variety of materials to pick from, including wood, bamboo, and other features to consider, like heated or detachable seats.

When you're ready to install your new seat, remove the old one by popping off the coverings over the bolts, taking out the bolts, and lifting the entire seat, lid, and hinges off the toilet. Align the back of your new seat with the small openings where the old seat was attached, insert the bolts through the seat's hinges and the holes on the toilet's rim, and place the nuts on the bolts. Now, you won't need to worry about replacing your toilet seat for another few years.