Why Do Toilet Seat Covers Turn Yellow? [The Strange Cases]

Everyone wants their home to be beautiful, magazine-worthy even. But, alas, all too often one glances in the loo only to see a yellowing toilet seat cover.

Why do toilet seat covers turn yellow? Is it because we are not cleaning them properly? Is it something in the water? SOAP SCUM!?

To get to the bottom of this seat cover mystery (ha – get it?) let’s explore some possible causes and solutions.

Cause #1: Soap Scum or Bacteria Build-Up

Soap Scum or Bacteria Build-Up It’s no secret that toilets can be breeding grounds for bacteria if they’re not cleaned properly and regularly.

If you don’t clean your toilet – including the seat cover – frequently enough, soap scum or bacteria could be the culprits behind that unsightly yellow tinge.

Thankfully, both can be removed relatively easily with some good old-fashioned elbow grease and either a bathroom cleaner OR white vinegar.

Just remember to rinse thoroughly afterward so any residual cleaner doesn’t further contribute to the problem!

Cause #2: Minerals in Water

Minerals in Water If you live in an area with hard water – water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium carbonates – then you may notice that your toilet seat cover turns yellow more quickly than those who have softer water.

This is because these minerals can build up on surfaces over time, causing them to become discolored. While there’s not much you can do about the hardness of your water, there are products available that can help reduce mineral build-up on surfaces like toilet seat covers.

Cause #3: Exposure to Sunlight

Exposure to Sunlight Another common cause of yellowing toilet seat covers is exposure to sunlight. This is especially true if your bathroom has large windows or if the toilet is near an outside door that is left open for long periods of time.

The sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause materials to fade over time, so if your seat cover is constantly exposed to sunlight it’s likely that it will become discolored as well.

The best solution for this problem is simply to keep your bathroom well-ventilated so that sunlight isn’t able to linger on surfaces for extended periods of time.

Key Points

  1. Toilet seat covers may turn yellow due to a build-up of soap scum or bacteria, minerals in the water, or exposure to sunlight.
  2. There are a number of easy ways to remove the yellowing and restore your toilet seat cover to its original condition.
  3. To prevent a toilet seat cover from turning yellow, regular cleaning and care can help minimize the problem.

Conclusion:

As you can see, there are a number of different reasons why toilet seat covers may turn yellow over time. However, there are also a number of easy solutions for preventing and removing this discoloration.

So next time you glance at your loo and see a blotchy mess staring back at you, don’t despair! With a little knowledge and effort, you’ll have that crisp white seat cover looking good as new in no time!