Health Check and Then Some: Other Surprising Benefits
Well, it’s not just for looking at your stool for signs of disease. There are some practical perks to the shelf toilet that you didn’t know you needed:
Less Splashback: Because let’s face it, we’ve all experienced that awkward moment right when you sit down and BAM! Splashback. Well, with the shelf toilet, wastes plummet onto a dry platform instead of slapping into the water. It means no drippy splashback, which, let’s face it, is a huge victory.
Better Hygiene: The design means it’s easier to check waste for indicators of health, but it also helps reduce mess. When waste doesn’t sink into the water right away, the opportunity for water splashes and the spread of bacteria falls away. And, of course, you still need to clean up after you use one, but the shelf can make things a bit more sanitary than a traditional toilet.
But yes, there is a disadvantage to the whole “dry platform” thing: the smell. Since the waste isn’t submerged at once, odors can hang around if you walk away from the toilet for an extended time without flushing. That’s why they’re often accompanied by a strong flush and ventilation system designed to address that problem.
So, Why Aren’t These Toilets Everywhere?
I know what you’re probably thinking: “If this shelf toilet is so great, why don’t I see it everywhere?” Well okay then, the answer is actually quite simple. Washdown toilets are favored in most of the world — especially the United States — where poop drops directly into a basin of water. Why? Because they tend to be more hygienic and odor-controlling. The water immediately covers the waste, which significantly decreases smell and possible contamination.
Still, in Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands, the shelf toilet design is quite popular. And in locations with older plumbing systems, you may even see them in medical contexts, where practitioners require a clearer view of stool for diagnostic reasons.
