Have you ever noticed that toilets are always white? Why is this? This is something that’s crossed my mind time and time again so I decided to look into it and share it with you.
I can’t tell you the number of toilets I’ve seen – most of them I’ve used too. Whether it’s at a park, at a restaurant, or at a friends home, the toilets are ALWAYS white. I can remember a few instances when the toilet was black but those are the exception.
In this article I’ll share a few reasons why toilets are always white. I’ve broken the article down into 3 sections.
- Porcelain
- Significance of White
- Resale Value
After discussing these three things you’ll have a better understanding why toilets are always white. Sometimes I think having a blue or green toilet would be fun, but white is a neutral and classy look for a toilet that stands the test of time. Let’s get started.
Why Toilets Are Always White: Porcelain Is White
95% of toilets are made from porcelain. Guess what? Porcelain is a white clay used in many structures, including toilets and art (toilets and art is a strange combination right?).
Porcelain is made up of a few different components including:
- Clay
- Kaolin
- Feldspar
- Silica
- Quartz
At times other components are added to porcelain but these are essential. When fired at high temperatures porcelain is not absorbent which makes it perfect for holding water and not allowing it to seep through the exterior. It’s a hard and long-lasting material.
Porcelain is actually translucent when being molded. However it turns a beautiful white after being fired.
When making toilets a white color is the easiest option and it looks great. If you want to add color it will take more time and resources.
Why make various colors of toilets when it’s easiest to make a white toilet that looks great?
Why Toilets Are Always White: Significance Of White
There are a number of “cleanliness” reasons people prefer white toilets. We are visual creatures who like to see things clean. The Western World is also closely tied to Christianity with advocates that cleanliness is next to Godliness. Let’s take a look at the significance of the color white
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Sterile
White is synonymous with sterile. Long ago we discovered that most bacteria can’t be seen with the naked eye, however we continue to associate cleanliness with white.
If you can’t see something it must be clean right? We see this in other places too, not just the toilet.
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Cleanliness Next To Godliness
One of the reasons we see white as sterile is from religion. Similarly white shows dirt, and other marks. Things that are white are usually cleaned more often because they are easier to see.
The color white signifies innocence and purity. That’s why you’ll always see a white wedding dress.
White also gives off a cold, bland appearance which can be interpreted as clean and sterile.
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Space (more openness)
Another reason people like white toilets is the sense of space. White color does not usually attract attention and tends to blend in with it’s surroundings.
White is also known to give the impression that a room is larger than it actually is. A white toilet can make a bathroom look larger than it actually is (compared to a black toilet).
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Nowhere To Hide
There’s nowhere to hide for dirt on a toilet. You notice every color and mark on a white toilet so it’s a constant reminder to clean the toilet. People will get embarrassed after making a toilet dirty and they will clean it so others don’t see.
It’s wise for park rangers, hunters, or landscapers to wear brown pants because it hides dirt and stains and doesn’t require washing every day. A doctor or chef can’t get away without wearing clothes.
Other Places White Is Preferred: Bacteria Infected Areas
- Doctors offices
- Weddings
- Chefs
- Hospitals
- Labs
- Chemical/Hazardous Waste
Why Toilets Are Always White: Resale Value
Societal Preferences
White toilets are widely accepted as a neutral color that doesn’t attract attention. Therefore most people accept a white toilet.
This wouldn’t necessarily be true for a black, green, or blue toilet. Can you imagine trying to sell your home with a green toilet? Some people will like it, but for others the green color might be a deciding factor in buying a home – simply because it’s unusual (imagine that!).
People who might be selling a home should consider the color of their toilet!
Modern
As we mentioned above, white toilets stand the test of time partly because they look acceptable. White toilets always have a modern look as well. A brown or green toilet might look like something out of the 1970’s but you won’t be able to tell the age of a white toilet. Is it 1 year or 20 years old?
Minimalism
White is a no-frills, minimalist color. White gives off the appearance of more space so it won’t attract attention or appear to take up more space. Minimalist don’t want to make a statement, they simply want products that are functional and practical. A white toilet meets these requirements and still looks great.
Conclusion
White is the color of our toilets. It’s strange to think that 99% of toilets are white – can’t we be more creative and colorful?
In this article we discussed a few of the reasons toilets are always white. The reasons included 3 main areas: 1) porcelain, 2) the color white, 3) resale value.
White is the color of porcelain and it’s the color of purity outlined by Christianity hundreds of year ago. We find white in many professions where cleanliness (or purity) is important like hospitals, labs, kitchens, and weddings.
White toilets are also the most accepted color in our bathrooms. If you’re buying a house you’ll expect there to be a white toilet but you may be confused if the toilet is an unusual color. Keep this in mind if you plan to sell your house.
We hope you enjoyed this deep-dive into the color of toilet and why toilets are always white. It’s funny to think about but it makes sense given the value we place on the color white and the fact that porcelain is white.
Thanks for reading and be sure to visit our blog for more helpful information about the porcelain throne!