The conventional color of a toilet seat is white; therefore, anything other than that is absurd.
So if you suddenly wake up and see that your toilet seat is no longer white, you will be apprehensive about using it.
A blue toilet seat is irregular, so if you ever encounter this, you’ll want to know the cause. If you stick to this article, you’ll find out soon enough.
There are three major causes of a blue toilet seat. Two result from internal bodily changes, while one is due to external influence. The possible causes are an increase in hormonal levels, a condition called Chromhidrosis, or excess dye in your clothes.
Why Does a Toilet Seat Turn Blue?
You’re not alone if you’ve ever gotten up from your toilet seat and noticed blue stains. This phenomenon isn’t so rare as several people have experienced it.
However, you will be surprised to see it for the first time. Not to worry, though; there are valid explanations for this.
#1. Blue Clothes
Not all clothing materials retain color after washing. Jeans are the most common example of this illustration. Being a versatile clothing item, both genders can experience cloth stains.
Have you ever washed a pair of blue jeans by hand in clear water? Notice how color sips out of the material when you lift it from the water and squeeze.
This color loss is most prevalent in new blue jeans though it doesn’t happen all the time.
The same way contact with water causes excretion of color is how color drains from your jeans after wearing them for long, especially when you’re sweaty.
However, in this case, the blue color sticks to your skin and stains your thighs. So, when you sit on your toilet seat, there is a transfer of color, which creates the blue imprints you see upon standing.
Therefore, if you ever notice blue stains on your toilet seat after standing up, look at what you’re wearing. If the fabric is blue, the above explanation vividly describes the cause.
#2. Pregnancy and Hormonal Changes
Analysis has shown that the rate of complaints about toilet seats turning blue is higher among pregnant women. We have researched this occurrence and come up with a reasonable explanation.
It is no secret that pregnancy causes many changes in women, from attitude and mood swings to cravings.
While these alterations are quite popular, a few unpopular situations like toilet seat discoloration exists.
I’m sure you’re wondering what it is about pregnant women that turn toilet seats blue. Well, it’s kind of complicated but easy to understand.
When a woman gets pregnant, her body secretes many hormones to support the changes.
As the body secretes estrogen and progesterone, the level of estriol rises. This increment, in turn, affects body pH.
When the pH is low, sweat and urine become more acidic. The level of acidity on the skin, therefore, reacts to the antibacterial layer of the toilet seat.
So, when the skin touches the toilet seat, the reaction manifests through the color change.
#3. Chromhidrosis
Chromhidrosis is a very rare health condition that causes individuals to secrete colored sweat.
Although this disorder is weird, it has no accompanying effects other than the mental trauma it may cause.
Trauma results from the shame of this condition as it stains toilet seats and apparel. Imagine an individual in a hot environment trying not to swear in public.
The sweat color could be blue, red, gray, black, pink, purple, yellow, or brown. Swear coloration or Chromhidrosis results from a sweat gland called lipofuscin.
When the lipofuscin concentration is high or more oxidized, sweat and body oils begin to gain color.
Although anyone can be a victim of Chromhidrosis, it’s most prevalent in teens passing through puberty as their apocrine glands secrete fluids.
Though it’s embarrassing, there’s a possibility that the pigment in your sweat can lessen with time as your lipofuscin level dwindles.
So, if you’re not wearing blue jeans and you aren’t pregnant but see blue stains on your toilet seat, you may suffer from Chromhidrosis.
#4. Pseudochromhidrosis
Pseudochromhidrosis is a condition where sweat becomes blue not because of excess lipofuscin but rather contact with bacteria, dies, fungi or chemicals.
Therefore, the chemistry between your sweat and the toilet seat (if it has an antimicrobial coating) can lead to blue stains.
So, in this case, a chemical reaction between sweat and bacteria or antimicrobial agents can spark off blue-colored stains.
How do You a Fix a Blue Toilet Seat?
There are various causes of blue toilet seats, but many remedies exist. Interestingly, the effectiveness of these remedies can hint at the possible cause of your toilet seat turning blue.
Blue stains from clothing dyes are easy to wipe away with a single swipe. However, if the blue stain displays resistance to cleaning agents, it’s a clue that the problem may be internal or resulting from a reaction.
So, here are the ways to clean a blue toilet seat.
#1. Bleach
You can run to the number one toilet whitener to get your blue seats sparkling clean.
To use bleach, dilute it with water and pour it over the toilet seat. Let it sit for about five to ten minutes before wiping it off.
When you wipe it, the toilet seat should return to its original color. You can rinse with water afterward.
Note: As a preventive action, spread plastic sheets around the base of your toilet, so the bleach drips onto it. If you let it drip on the bathroom floor, it can cause damage.
#2. Alcohol
Alcohol is a great dissolver and can remedy the stain by gradually dissolving it till it fades. Soak a cloth in alcohol and spread it over your blue toilet seat to try this method.
Cover it for about twenty minutes before using the wet cloth to rub the seat. This method works like magic. The result will leave you in awe.
#3. Vinegar and Baking Soda Mix
The wonders of this combination are popular in the cleaning world. I‘m sure your mom can attest to how swiftly this mixture wipes off kitchen stains.
Luckily, it can also work its magic in your toilet seat. To use this, pour vinegar into its bottle cover four times and splash it on your toilet seat.
Next, grab some baking soda and sprinkle it over the vinegar on the toilet seat. Let it sit for about five minutes, then use your toilet brush to scrub.
#4. Magic Eraser
This product is extremely effective in eliminating bathroom stains. Just apply water to the eraser and use it to scrub the blue eraser, then watch as the seat reverts to white.
How to Prevent Toilet Seats From Turning Blue?
Since prevention is better than cure, it’s best to avoid the issue. Hence, we will look into a few preventive measures.
- Wipe your backside with a wet cloth and pat dry to eliminate dye and sweat that may interact with the toilet seat.
- You can take prescription pills to help balance your hormones.
- Place a film over your toilet seat before use.
- Opt for antibiotics that cure pseudochromhidrosis.
The above are preventive measures you can practice. However, not all of them are practical.
For example, it would be difficult to scrub your bum when you’re pressed before taking a go.
Notwithstanding, you’ll be glad to know that hormonal changes will balance with time, likewise lipofuscin. So, your toilet seat won’t keep turning blue forever.
Why Did my Toilet Seat Turn Blue After Bleaching?
Bleach is naturally corrosive and can react with polymers or other substances to cause a color change in your toilet seat.
The damaging reaction highlights the need to dilute bleach with water before usage.
Since bleach is helpful, it also has detriments. So, if bleach leaves stains on your toilet seat, you used it straight out of the bottle.
Let’s see the pros and cons of using bleach on your toilet seat.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Bleach eliminates stains | Undiluted bleach can leave stains. |
| It makes cleaning easier | It is corrosive |
| It whitens the toilet | It can damage the glossy finish of your toilet seat. |
Do Plastic Toilet Seats Stain?
Like most types of toilet seats, plastic toilet seats stain. So, blue stains also affect plastic toilet seats.
Other than that, the stain could result from urine which mostly drops when males use the toilet.
However, it’s easy to get rid of such stains. Simply use a mixture of baking soda and water or vinegar to scrub gently. It’s best to scrub with a washcloth or soft sponge to avoid scratches.
You can revisit the other toilet stain removal options above to pick the most suitable option. But note that you should dilute bleach to prevent damage if it’s your pick.
Conclusion
Both males and females can experience a change in the color of their toilet seats. This situation isn’t one to fret about as it is explainable, and you can sometimes avoid it.
Nevertheless, if it occurs, there are multiple ways to remedy the situation. So, if your toilet seat turns blue, just relax and wipe away the stain.