Best Toilet Seat Sanitizer Spray [Kills Germs & Bacteria]

Keeping your toilet seat clean should be a top priority in any bathroom. Toilet seats can harbor harmful germs and bacteria that can cause illnesses. Using a specially formulated toilet seat sanitizer spray is an easy way to kill germs and keep your family healthy. In this article, we will discuss why you should sanitize your toilet seat, factors to consider when choosing a spray, the top brands, proper usage tips, and even some DIY natural recipes you can make at home.

Quick Comparison Table For the Best Toilet Seat Sanitizer Sprays:

Why Sanitize Your Toilet Seat?

Sanitizing your toilet seat regularly offers a few key health benefits:

Health Benefits

Kills Germs and Bacteria

Toilet seats contain hundreds of germs that are invisible to the naked eye. E. coli, salmonella, streptococcus, and staph bacteria can all thrive on porcelain toilet surfaces. Giving your seat a thorough spraying with a sanitizing solution can kill 99.9% of these illness-causing germs.

Prevents Spread of Illness

Bacteria and viruses that cause conditions like cold, flu, diarrhea, pink eye, and urinary tract infections can linger on toilet seats. Sanitizing helps stop the transmission of contagious diseases in your household.

Improves Hygiene

While cleaning removes dirt and grime buildup, sanitizing takes things a step further by actively killing germs using antimicrobial ingredients. Maintaining high sanitary standards improves overall cleanliness.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Spray

There are a few factors that will influence which toilet seat sanitizer is best for your bathroom:

Ingredients

Look for EPA-registered disinfectant sprays that contain bleach, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or quaternary ammonium compounds that neutralize microbes. Verify that the solution kills 99.9% of household germs.

Scent

If you don’t like harsh chemical smells, seek out a toilet seat spray with a light pleasant fragrance or natural oils. You’ll be using this product often, so ensuring you like the aroma is key.

Ease of Use

Choose a spray bottle that allows you to apply the solution easily under and around the toilet seat. Seek large flip-top caps that are easy to open with one hand.

Price

Toilet seat spray prices range from $3 to $10 typically. While you can certainly DIY your own using household ingredients, the convenience of a ready-to-use formula may justify spending a bit more. Consider how frequently you’ll use the spray when budgeting.

Top 5 Toilet Seat Sanitizer Sprays

After comparing dozens of toilet seat sanitizing products, these rise above the rest thanks to their germ-eliminating superpowers, convenience, and affordability:

1. Lysol Disinfectant Spray

As a household name in disinfecting, Lysol is a tried-and-true option that kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. The crisp, clean scent gives you the confidence that germs are being eliminated. It only takes 3 minutes for the bleach-based formula to fully disinfect. Just make sure to ventilate your bathroom well, as some users find the strong fumes unpleasant.

Pros:

• Kills 99.9% of germs in just 3 minutes
• Strong bleach formula disinfects thoroughly
• Crisp clean scent

Cons:

• Harsh chemical fumes require good ventilation
• Can leave residue if not rinsed thoroughly

2. Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner

Also earning high marks is this Clorox spray that harnesses the cleaning power of bleach along with Aloe extracts for a fresher scent. The angled nozzle makes spraying under the toilet seat edge simple. It kills pathogens like influenza A virus, MRSA, and staph.

Pros:

• Bleach-based spray kills a wide range of pathogens
• Angled nozzle makes spraying under seat easy
• Aloe extracts give a fresher scent

Cons:

• Can be drying with prolonged exposure to skin and pipes
• Strong chemical odor lingers

3. Microban 24 Hour Sanitizing Spray

Boasting an impressive 24 hours of continuous bacteria protection, this Microban spray uses quaternary ammonium chloride in place of bleach. The citrus scent is subtle and the spray application reaches every crevice. Its formula is also safe on most bathroom surfaces.

Pros:

• 24 hours of bacteria protection
• Uses quaternary ammonium instead of bleach
• Light citrus scent
• Safe on most bathroom surfaces

Cons:

• Not as strong at sanitizing as bleach-based sprays
• Requires periodic reapplication to maintain 24 hour effectiveness

4. Method Antibacterial Toilet Cleaner Spray

With naturally-derived ingredients like thyme oil and citric acid, this Method spray adds sanitizing to your cleaning routine without harsh fumes. While not as hardcore on sanitization as bleach products, users love the light cucumber mint scent. The recyclable bottle is a bonus too.

Pros:

• Natural plant-based ingredients like thyme oil
• Light cucumber mint scent
• Recyclable bottle

Cons:

• Not as powerful on sanitization as chemical formulas
• Could require more frequent applications

5. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Toilet Bowl Cleaner Spray

As a plant-based toilet cleaner, this Mrs. Meyer’s spray still packs a punch on germs with its thymol ingredient that originates from the Thyme plant. The Lemon Verbena scent beats out chemical smells. It foams to cling to surfaces while deodorizing. The reusable glass bottle with pump is wonderfully handy.

Pros:

• Plant-based ingredients like thymol from thyme oil
• Lovely lemon verbena scent
• Reusable glass bottle with pump

Cons:

• Pricier than mainstream brands
• Less intense on sanitization than bleach or chemical concentrates

Using a Toilet Seat Sanitizer Spray

Now that you’ve selected the best toilet seat sanitizer spray, let’s cover proper usage.

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Safety Tips

• Carefully read all instructions before using to understand necessary precautions with ingredients like bleach.
• Open windows or turn on fans before and after spraying to ventilate.
• Always close the lid before flushing to prevent spray residue from circulating in the air.
• Rinse spray bottle tips before storing to prevent clogs.
• Keep spray bottles securely sealed and stored up high, out of children’s reach.

How Often to Use

For households:

• Spray toilet seat after each use: This is the gold standard for maximizing sanitization between users.
• Spray twice per week at minimum: If after each use isn’t realistic, regularly disinfect at least 2-3 times per week.

For public restrooms:

Use sanitizing wipes after every use for portable convenience.

Application Process

1. Lift both the seat and lid.
2. Liberally spray product to cover entire porcelain surface, with extra focus on edges and grooves where bacteria accumulate.
3. For maximum impact, let solution sit for 2-3 minutes before wiping to allow ingredients to fully kill germs.
4. Scrub surfaces thoroughly with a disposable wipe, paper towel, or soft brush to remove grime.
5. Rinse any residue then allow to fully air dry before next use.

Be vigilant about proper toilet seat sanitizing spray usage, and you’ll be rewarded with stellar family health this season. Disinfecting cuts illness risk remarkably. Pair with regular bathroom cleaning for a one-two punch keeping germs at bay.

DIY Natural Toilet Seat Sanitizer Spray Recipes

If you prefer homegrown cleaning solutions, whip up one of these simple yet effective DIY toilet seat sanitizing sprays:

Vinegar Spray

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 5-10 drops essential oil (optional for scent)

Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray on toilet seat and let sit briefly before scrubbing and rinsing. The acidity in vinegar kills bacteria and limescale.

Essential Oil Spray

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup witch hazel
• 15 drops tea tree oil
• 10 drops lavender oil

Combine elements in a bottle, shake vigorously and start spraying. The tea tree oil packs an antimicrobial punch while the lavender freshens.

Bleach Spray

• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup bleach
• 1-2 drops dish soap

Blend water and bleach first then add soap. Scrub this solution on surfaces. Rinse thoroughly. Use this bleach option cautiously and only occasionally since fumes are harsh. Open windows and run fans during use.

While not as convenient as commercial sprays, these DIY sanitizing sprays afford you total control over the ingredients touching your toilet and work efficiently to eliminate germs and stains when applied properly.

FAQs

How long should you let the spray sit before wiping?

2-3 minutes allows the antimicrobial ingredients like bleach extra germ-killing contact time. Always refer to your specific product’s instructions.

Should toilet seat spray replace regular cleanings?

No, you’ll still need to manual clean with a brush and toilet cleaner occasionally to remove stains and mineral buildup. But sprays make maintaining daily sanitization quick.

Can I DIY a toilet seat spray with household ingredients?

Yes, you can make effective natural sanitizing sprays using common ingredients like vinegar, vodka, hydrogen peroxide, essential oils or even diluted bleach solutions.

How do I prevent toilet spray residue on my skin?

Always wear gloves when handling bleach-based sprays. For plant oils that may cause reactions, patch test skin first. Rinsing thoroughly prevents residue.

What’s the easiest toilet spray to use for mobility impaired individuals?

Seek a spray with an easy-press lever rather than flip caps or triggers which require more strength. Or use disinfecting wipes for simple portability.

Conclusion

Keeping your toilet seat sanitized should be a high priority for maintaining good hygiene and health. As we’ve discussed, toilet seats can harbor illness-causing germs that get spread around your home. Spraying your seat with a disinfecting formula after each use or at least a few times per week kills bacteria and prevents transmission of contagious diseases.

When evaluating the best sanitizing spray for your needs, assess factors like active ingredients, scent level, ease of application, and price. Top-rated picks contain powerful antimicrobial elements like bleach or cleaning concentrates in convenient flip-top bottles. But you can also DIY effective natural options using ingredients like vinegar and essential oils if you want to control the contents.

Properly applying your chosen toilet seat spray requires lifting both lids, spraying liberally on all porcelain surfaces, letting it set briefly then scrubbing away grime—with a final rinse to prevent residue. Follow safety tips like opening windows to ventilate bathroom air. Developing good sanitization habits ensures your family stays healthy this season.