We do it without thinking. A quick trip to the bathroom, flush, and done—it’s forgotten.

But this automatic, seemingly harmless action has a real impact: dozens of liters of drinking water wasted every single day, just for a little pee. What if we brought a bit of common sense back into our habits?

Flushing: not as harmless as it seems

What we often forget is that every flush uses between 3 and 9 liters of clean drinking water. Yes, the same water we drink and cook with. And all that just to rinse away a few milliliters of urine.

Now imagine a family of four, each person flushing five to six times a day. That adds up to over 100 liters of water wasted daily—more than 36,000 liters per year! That’s the equivalent of more than 500 washing machine cycles.

A simple rule to save water without complicating your life

You may have already heard this funny little saying that makes a lot of sense:
“If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down.”

Translation: there’s no need to flush after every pee. Urine is naturally sterile, and contrary to what some people think, it doesn’t turn your toilet into a bacteria nest.

The trick? Just a little regular cleaning, and that’s all it takes.

But what about odors?

We know what you’re thinking: “What about the bad smells?” Don’t worry. There are plenty of simple ways to keep your bathroom fresh and pleasant:

A few drops of essential oils (lemon, lavender, eucalyptus…) in a small jar near the toilet can lightly perfume the room.

A quick clean every couple of days, using gentle natural products, is enough to keep the toilet spotless with little effort.

Regularly airing out the bathroom with a bit of fresh air works wonders, too.

Smarter toilets to go even further

If this idea appeals to you, know that there are now clever systems designed to use even less water:

Dual-flush toilets: allow you to choose between a small or large flush depending on what’s needed.

Eco-friendly models: some modern toilets use as little as 2–3 liters per small flush.

Composting toilets: perfect for houses with gardens or in rural areas, these water-free systems are ecological and odor-free when properly maintained.

Every little step makes a difference, and these changes can even lower your water bill by several dozen euros a year.

Answers to common questions

Is it really hygienic?
Yes. Urine is naturally clean. As long as you clean your toilet regularly, there’s nothing to worry about.

And what about bad smells?
With essential oils and regular cleaning, you won’t have odor problems.

How do I convince the whole family?
Suggest trying it for just one week. Highlight the water savings, the benefit for the planet… and be patient—habits take time to change.

Can this work outside the home?
It’s best to keep this practice within the family. In public places, follow the rules out of respect for others.