Gransnet forums

House and home

Toilet lids

(29 Posts)
Azalea99 Thu 30-Oct-25 18:13:38

I had the downstairs loo redone about seven years ago but now the lid has forgotten how to soft-close and crashes down, sometimes before I’ve even managed to sit! My ex says that they never last long& that he keeps having to replace his. I’ve only seen one YouTube instruction on repairing them, so is that it? Just buy a new seat and lid or put up with the crashing? I hate the thought that it can’t be repaired. What have been your experiences with soft-close toilet lids?

SueDonim Thu 30-Oct-25 18:37:03

Just close it like a normal lid ie slowly?

midgey Thu 30-Oct-25 20:11:34

In my opinion all loo seats are made in hell. If it doesn’t wobble or move just put up with the lid. We managed before soft close lids were invented so just lift it right back before you sit down. Good luck!

NotSpaghetti Thu 30-Oct-25 20:56:21

We have a great soft-close lid on our downstairs toilet. It's been there for maybe 20 years... the upstairs one is not soft-close and between that and the high-level WC "thunderbox" it's a wonder anyone can get a lie-in.

Sorry this is a bit of a red herring but I often forget which is which!
I hope someone can help you repair your soft-closer!

NotSpaghetti Thu 30-Oct-25 22:03:53

There arelots of videos on YouTube- like this one

youtu.be/PAtwFQ3FBzI?si=A_J32n5FRiK3axtI

Allira Thu 30-Oct-25 23:01:37

NotSpaghetti

We have a great soft-close lid on our downstairs toilet. It's been there for maybe 20 years... the upstairs one is not soft-close and between that and the high-level WC "thunderbox" it's a wonder anyone can get a lie-in.

Sorry this is a bit of a red herring but I often forget which is which!
I hope someone can help you repair your soft-closer!

We had new ones fitted last year, soft close and they can be removed at the push of two buttons for thorough cleaning.

The plumbers who sold them fitted one, DH fitted the other but I'm not sure of the make, sorry.

JenniferEccles Thu 30-Oct-25 23:10:37

One aspect of loo lids that always surprises me is how few people close them before flushing.

Allira Thu 30-Oct-25 23:21:09

I do think if you're used to a soft close one and come across one that isn't, it can make a lot of noise if you forget!

Azalea99 Fri 31-Oct-25 16:36:43

Thank you all for your responses. Just had a word with the contractor who fitted the lid & he says I’d be best to replace it - he’ll get one.
(I looked at another thread yesterday, discussing the current format of Gransnet and have to say that your replies typify what has always been good about it. )
@Allira - my old loo had the 2- button removal facility but the current one is stick-on. No holes in the porcelain this time. I’m jealous!

Allira Fri 31-Oct-25 16:40:08

😁

I do find if I go somewhere eg stay with family, where the loos don't have a soft close lid, I have been known to forget and it goes down with a crash.
Not good in the middle of the night!

Barbadosbelle Sat 01-Nov-25 14:40:36

.

You can buy them for less than £20 from Ebay or Amazon. They'll last at least a few years.
.

rosyposy50 Sat 01-Nov-25 15:15:24

We have three different ones and only one has ever been replaced due to the amount of use. My husband just fitted them according to the instructions and we’ve never had any problems. They weren’t expensive ones either

cc Sat 01-Nov-25 15:28:56

We've got two good quality newish toilet pans and the seats very weak. I've actually had to replace the seat twice as it cracked, and they're pretty expensive. It doesn't seem possible to replace them with the "one size fits all" type that we used to buy.

Colls Sat 01-Nov-25 15:52:43

Cast off your loo seats!
Just sit on the porcelain rim.

It's stable and a bit lower so you naturally get into a better, more crouched position to poop!
I actually have an old fashioned Dutch loo that has a sort of porcelain shelf. The idea being that the appearence of your 'bowel action' gives forewarning of possible health problems (or in the old days, worms.)
So, cast off your loo seats! Use rising from the porcelain without using your arms (if you are able) as a good way of regularly strengthening your legs and core.

Greciangirl Sat 01-Nov-25 16:40:21

I’ve had mine for around twenty years now and no problems yet.

Paperbackwriter Sat 01-Nov-25 17:36:18

JenniferEccles

One aspect of loo lids that always surprises me is how few people close them before flushing.

It's never occurred to me to close it before flushing! What terrible thing is going to result from not doing so?
Have you ever used a public loo in France? They rarely have seats, let alone lids!

Maelil Sat 01-Nov-25 17:52:27

It’s important to buy one that fits your loo rather than a random one off Amazon as they’re not all the same!

SueDonim Sat 01-Nov-25 18:00:53

Toilet plumes, Paperbackwriter! pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4692156/

Replacing a loo seat isn’t as easy as you might imagine. We needed a new seat and until then, I had no idea how many variants there are. As well different types of fixings, there are multiple shapes. I made several fruitless trips to B&Q to get one and in the end, had to go there with the old seat wrapped in a black bin bag and compare it with each of the samples on display. Honestly, it consumed pretty much all of a weekend to get it done. hmm

Barbadosbelle Sat 01-Nov-25 19:50:13

Paperbackwriter

.

If you close the lid after pooing and BEFORE you flush, it stops the smell spreading throughout the bath/cloak room and making it a no-go zone for hours.

I only learnt this recently as my 20+ son told me. I've generally opened the window and closed the door when I've abluted with the intention to return in an hour. But often forgot and then at bed time the ensuite would be freezing.

Seat down then flush, absolutely works.
.

Seabreeze Sun 02-Nov-25 00:07:19

My son has a soft close lid on his toilet it takes about 10 seconds to lift the lid. No good if your in a hurry with a weak bladder.

nanna8 Sun 02-Nov-25 02:47:26

My soft close one tends to close when I am in the middle of cleaning it. Annoying.

NotSpaghetti Sun 02-Nov-25 11:51:53

My soft-close lifts instantly. Maybe your son's needs adjusting Seabreeze?

Allira Sun 02-Nov-25 12:26:04

NotSpaghetti

My soft-close lifts instantly. Maybe your son's needs adjusting Seabreeze?

And ours. No different from a normal lid.

RSALLAN2002 Sun 02-Nov-25 22:50:35

I'm going to get a smart one (voice activated) with music and sound effects like they have in Japan.

Allira Sun 02-Nov-25 23:03:19

RSALLAN2002

I'm going to get a smart one (voice activated) with music and sound effects like they have in Japan.

😀 As I posted on another thread - Let it Go could be an appropriate song. Or Go with the Flow.
Hopefully not Ring of Fire!

(Sorry, time I went to bed 😴)