The Courtesy Flush Explained: Pros, Cons & How to Do It

Etiquette coach Christine Ferrera explains this considerate habit

Co-authored by Christine Ferrera and Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: March 9, 2026 Fact Checked

• What’s a courtesy flush?
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• How to Do a Courtesy Flush
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• Pros
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• Cons
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• Is courtesy flushing useful?
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• Is it healthy?
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• Should you courtesy flush?
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• Video

|Show more |Show less

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If you’re using the bathroom, a courtesy flush can help prevent odors, remove residual marks, and avoid the embarrassment of taking a number two. It’s an essential part of toilet etiquette, and we’re here to teach you all about it. In an exclusive wikiHow interview, an etiquette coach explains everything you need to know about courtesy flushing, including how to do it and whether it’s actually helpful. We’ll also break down the pros and cons of courtesy flushing so you can decide if it’s necessary.

What is courtesy flushing?

Etiquette coach Christine Ferrera says that courtesy flushing is when you flush promptly instead of waiting until the end of the bathroom visit. This helps reduce smells and clears waste quickly, and it’s a polite gesture if you’re using a shared bathroom. However, it does waste water and might spread bacteria.

Steps

Section 1 of 7:

What is a courtesy flush?

1. 
   A courtesy flush is flushing the toilet mid-use to prevent odors. Ferrera says, “A courtesy flush refers to flushing the toilet shortly after a bowel movement rather than waiting until the end of the bathroom visit. This practice removes waste from the bowl earlier, which helps limit odors in the surrounding space. In shared bathrooms, this simple habit supports a cleaner and more comfortable environment for those who may use the restroom afterward.”

   • “Courtesy in shared spaces often appears through small and thoughtful habits,” says Ferrera. “A courtesy flush illustrates how everyday actions can support comfort and consideration for others.”

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Christine Ferrera is an etiquette coach with over 12 years of experience. She is the founder of Polished Message Etiquette (PME), a modern training platform focused on communication, image and style, and comprehensive etiquette.
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Section 2 of 7:

How to Do a Courtesy Flush

1. 
   Flush in the middle of pooping, and after you finish. As waste leaves your body and heads towards the water, flush the toilet to clear it out immediately and keep unpleasant smells at bay. Finish pooping, wipe your butt, and then flush the toilet again to remove any remaining skids and clear the toilet bowl completely.

   • After you’re done using the bathroom, be sure to wash your hands. You can also spray air freshener or turn on the bathroom fan to clear the air.

Section 3 of 7:

Pros of a Courtesy Flush

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   Courtesy flushing helps combat the smell of your poop. “Many people experience positive results when the toilet is flushed promptly after a bowel movement,” says Ferrera. “Removing the waste from the bowl sooner often reduces how long odors remain present in the room.”

   • The second flush can also get rid of any remaining waste that leads to unpleasant odor and reduce the sound of going to the bathroom.
   • “The outcome may vary depending on ventilation, room size, and the strength of the toilet’s flushing system,” adds Ferrera. But “even with these differences, the practice commonly contributes to a more pleasant restroom environment.”
2. 
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   Courtesy flushing can remove skid marks in the toilet bowl. With a courtesy flush, you avoid the embarrassment of leaving skid marks or residue left inside the toilet after flushing. Courtesy flushing washes away any waste that isn’t fully submerged in the toilet water, so you leave the bathroom nice and clean for the next person in line.

   • A double flush is generally more effective at removing residual skid marks than single flushes.
   • Some people claim that courtesy flushing can also prevent clogs, especially for large or sticky dumps.
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Section 4 of 7:

Cons of a Courtesy Flush

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   Courtesy flushing uses more water than the average flush. While courtesy flushing does reduce odors in the bathroom, it doubles the amount of water used. Newer toilets use 1.3 to 1.6 gallons (4.9 to 6.1 liters) per flush, while older toilets use up to 6 gallons (22.7 liters). That means a courtesy flush can result in 2.6 to 12 gallons (9.84 to 45.42 liters) of water being used, depending on your toilet type.
2. 
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   Courtesy flushing may spread bacteria in the bathroom. If you flush the toilet with the lid open, it can spread bacteria from your urine and feces into the air. The bacteria can potentially land on your toothbrush, towels, and anything else in your bathroom, which may make you sick.

   • You can avoid the spread of bacteria in your bathroom by closing the toilet lid before your final flush and cleaning the toilet bowl with disinfectant weekly.
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Section 5 of 7:

Are courtesy flushes useful?

1. 
   Courtesy flushes are useful for getting rid of residual waste and odors. The longer your poop sits in the toilet, the longer the smell lingers in the bathroom. A courtesy flush removes waste as soon as it hits the bowl, which can prevent the odor from escaping into the air. It’s helpful if you want to keep what happened during your bathroom visit private and make the experience better for other people.

   • Ferrera says that courtesy flushing “represents quiet awareness of shared surroundings” and “reflects thoughtful consideration for others.”

Section 6 of 7:

Are courtesy flushes healthy?

1. 
   Sitting on the toilet during a courtesy flush may not be healthy. Doing a courtesy flush isn’t going to kill you, but it isn’t the healthiest thing either, since you’re spreading bacteria all over your butt cheeks. When you flush the toilet, it can spread Clostridioides difficile (also known as C. diff), a bacterium that can infect your colon and cause diarrhea, inflammation, and other symptoms.

   • As long as you stay clean, C. diff isn’t anything to worry about. Just remember to wipe and wash your butt to maintain good personal hygiene!
   • If you’re worried about being exposed to C. diff, stand up and close the toilet lid before courtesy flushing, as it will stop the bacterium from spreading throughout the bathroom.
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Section 7 of 7:

Are courtesy flushes necessary?

1. 
   Courtesy flushing isn’t necessary, but it shows consideration for others. “A courtesy flush represents a considerate habit rather than a requirement,” says Ferrera. “The practice is frequently used in shared settings such as workplaces, public restrooms, hotels, and when visiting someone’s home.”

   • Ferrera says, “In a private bathroom used by one individual, the choice becomes a matter of personal preference. In shared environments, many people appreciate the gesture because it demonstrates awareness of others who will enter the space next.”
   • Courtesy flushes are often considered the hygienic thing to do in public spaces, so while it’s not necessary, many people may advise that you perform one after pooping.
   • If you don’t want to courtesy flush, spray some air freshener in the air before and after you poop, turn on the bathroom fan before you poop, or crack open a window.
   • Courtesy flushing is common practice in prison, since residual skids can stink up the cell and make everyone uncomfortable.

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