The water closet, a phrase frequently used interchangeably with the more well-known “toilet,” plays a vital role in our daily lives. However, how much do we know about this essential piece of furniture that secretly meets our most private needs?

This article explores the often-overlooked field of water closets, revealing intriguing facts and insights that every homeowner and bathroom enthusiast should be aware of. Let us take you on a journey to learn more about the water closet and develop a more profound respect for this everyday item. We will cover their history and the cutting-edge technologies that will empower them in the future.

So, let’s flush the mystery down the toilet and reveal some lesser-known facts about toilets.

The World’s Most Expensive Water Closet Costs $23 Million

The outrageously expensive toilet for astronauts at the International Space Station is known as the Universal Waste Management System. This toilet has technologically advanced parts which purify the water that comes out of the toilet so that it can be consumed. While resembling the old-style space toilets, the new design flushes itself.

Toilets Require A Lot Of Water

he Environmental Protection Agency reports that toilets use over 30% of indoor water in an average home. However, by installing a water-saving toilet, you and your family can reduce toilet water use by 20% to 30%. This simple trick reduces water use and utility expenditures.

Toilet leaks can also lead to water waste, so you might want to find a plumber near you if yours needs to be fixed.

Water Closets Can Prevent Diseases

UNICEF, a humanitarian aid organisation, reports that the lack of access to toilets greatly accelerates the spread of disease and parasites. Every year, poor sanitation and hygiene cause the deaths of more than 750 children under the age of 5.

Additionally, toilets prevent malnutrition brought on by diarrhoea, which makes them crucial for maintaining the health of kids all across the world.

An Average Person Uses The Water Closet 2,500 Times Per Year

According to the World Toilet Organisation, that translates to six to eight times per day. Now that you know this interesting fact about toilets, you may feel compelled to clean yours daily.

Ancient Chinese and Japanese Societies Did Not Use A Flushing System

Excrement was a resource that was too valuable to be thrown away in pre-industrial Japan and China. To continue feeding the expanding urban population, farmers used human waste as fertiliser.

Each urban family diligently collected “night soil,” which was picked up every morning by trained collectors known as ‘fenfu’. They transported their waste carts to the ports, where they were carried onto ships and transported to the countryside. Farmers bought the muck and turned it into manure by composting it.

The Japanese referred to it as ‘shimogoe’, which means “fertiliser from the bottom of a person.” Back then, farmers couldn’t imagine throwing away that valuable waste.

Flushing Toilets Are Not The Only Option

Dry toilets are standard in rural and undeveloped locations where flush toilets are impractical. These methods safely dispose of human waste without using any water.

A pit latrine is one type of dry toilet. The person using it sits or squats over a hole in the ground and empties their waste into an underground pit, which may or may not be meant to be emptied.

Dry toilets include things like:

Porta potties
Composting toilets
Treebogs (a raised structure and waste dump with nutrient-absorbing plants)
Incinerating toilets

Today’s Most Popular Bowl Shape Is Actually A More Recent Design

The terms “squat” toilets and “bowl” toilets refer to two of the most popular types of toilet bowls. Squat toilets resemble a large porcelain plate with a deep hole in the middle, whereas bowl toilets feature an upside-down funnel form that makes waste slide out effortlessly after each flush. It’s difficult to determine who came up with these bowl designs first, but neither is very novel or beneficial to your health.

However, the majority of contemporary homes today use a “siphonic flush,” which forces water from the rim to flush waste from below

A Water Closet Is A Humble But Essential Element In Our Homes With Fascinating Histories

So, the next time you come across a water closet, take a moment to appreciate the decades of development and ingenuity that went into its creation. While it’s not where your mind first jumps to when reflecting on human progress, it’s unquestionable that we’ve made incredible advancements in the restroom.

Deciding which water closet in Malaysia suits your home? Visit Orin today!

Having experience of over 10 years, Orin has successfully supplied bathroom supplies to more than 20 countries worldwide. So, if you have any questions about high-quality water closets in Malaysia, contact us or speak to one of our specialists at +603-5033 9333.