I saw my first #1/#2 toilet today! [Yes, really labeled that way.]

[NotUrsula]

While out today I used a public restroom in a new building, and was amused to see a sign over the back of the toilet advising patrons that the toilet flush handle had two settings, and that one should pull up for "#1 - Liquid waste", and push down for #2 - Solid waste".

It also had a flush handle coated in green plastic, with a note that said it was coated to repel germs; presumably to try to discourage foot-flushers. THAT part I was fine with, LOL.

I was very amused by the signage, but I decided to do a bit of an experiment and look at the difference in how much water the two settings used. It turned out that the "#1" setting wasn't strong enough to get rid of a small piece of toilet paper, so I guess that the folks who invented this intend for us ladies to go with the "drip-dry" technique. [Nope, don't think so.]

 

[akhenaten]

LOL and it won't save much water if lots of folks experiment like you did!! ( I probably would too...)

 

[SCHBR'smom]

I believe I would try the different settings, too

 

[tinatark]

They have one for sale at Sam's Club. Just over $100, I understand it's a good deal. It has a regular handle and a push button integrated into the top.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

While out today I used a public restroom in a new building, and was amused to see a sign over the back of the toilet advising patrons that the toilet flush handle had two settings, and that one should pull up for "#1 - Liquid waste", and push down for #2 - Solid waste".

It also had a flush handle coated in green plastic, with a note that said it was coated to repel germs; presumably to try to discourage foot-flushers. THAT part I was fine with, LOL.

I was very amused by the signage, but I decided to do a bit of an experiment and look at the difference in how much water the two settings used. It turned out that the "#1" setting wasn't strong enough to get rid of a small piece of toilet paper, so I guess that the folks who invented this intend for us ladies to go with the "drip-dry" technique. [Nope, don't think so.]

I don't flush with my foot to avoid the germs on the handle (but that is a good reason too). I flush with my foot so I don't have to lean over the toilet bowl and have it spray up at me as it flushes. OK, I just grossed myself out.

 

[monkey68]

I've seen that quite a bit when I was traveling in Israel.. Only they weren't labelled, but they were different sizes. The bigger one was for #2, the smaller one for #1. I'll admit though, it took me a while to figure out what the 2 flushers were for, since I felt silly asking anyone how to use a toilet.

 

[fall08CP]

When I visited Australia all of the bathrooms were like that. They weren't exactly labeled but there were two buttons with a picture of a full moon or a half moon Took me some time in the airport to figure it out!! haha. Even the private residences had them.

 

[mamacatnv]

The airport in Portland, Or. has those toilets complete with the green "germ resistant" handle

 

[PoohBear1988]

When I visited Australia all of the bathrooms were like that. They weren't exactly labeled but there were two buttons with a picture of a full moon or a half moon Took me some time in the airport to figure it out!! haha. Even the private residences had them.

I'm from Autralia and when i read the first post i thought "whats strange about that!" lol. I didnt realise it wasnt common.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Yep--one big button to push and one little button to push is totally common here in Germany (they are not labeled though--I guess the assumption is that everyone would know what to do). I can't recall seeing any toliets (in homes or stores) which do not have the two. Our "little flush" is plenty strong enough for toliet paper. Which did you push first? Maybe the toliet had not had time to refill between flushes

 

[NotUrsula]

No, it wasn't a crowded washroom; it had plenty of time to fill. (Besides, American power-assist toilets fill very quickly; just the amount of time that I was in the stall would have been enough for that.) I used the liquid setting first, and in this particular case there was actually no real flush that cleared the bowl; it was a very low-power flush that essentially diluted what was in the bowl, not fully replaced it, which explains why the toilet paper stayed there. One hopes that the valves can be adjusted, because otherwise this particular toilet is doomed to be double-flushed at least 80% of the times that it is used.

I've seen 2-choice toilets before, just not ones that were deliberately labeled with a euphemism commonly used when toilet-training children. THAT's what I found so amusing; not the fact that it had two settings, which is actually a good idea if properly executed.

 

[mishasmom]

I must not get out enough because I've never seen a toilet like that!! It's a great idea, though.

 

[DebbieB]

When I was connecting flights in Frankfurt earlier this year, I went to the restroom in the business class lounge and heard a noise as I was walking out of the stall. Here the seat revolves under a box that sanitizes it!

Also, in the office I went to in India, they had completely enclosed stalls with a door and each one had a hose connected to the wall and a drain, I guess to clean-up anything on the floor.

 

[NotUrsula]

Also, in the office I went to in India, they had completely enclosed stalls with a door and each one had a hose connected to the wall and a drain, I guess to clean-up anything on the floor.

Um, no, the hose wasn't meant for cleaning the floor (though it does come in handy to help with that.) Think bidet.

 

[NHdisneylover]

No, it wasn't a crowded washroom; it had plenty of time to fill. (Besides, American power-assist toilets fill very quickly; just the amount of time that I was in the stall would have been enough for that.) I used the liquid setting first, and in this particular case there was actually no real flush that cleared the bowl; it was a very low-power flush that essentially diluted what was in the bowl, not fully replaced it, which explains why the toilet paper stayed there. One hopes that the valves can be adjusted, because otherwise this particular toilet is doomed to be double-flushed at least 80% of the times that it is used..

I guess perhaps it does need adjusting if you left ample time in between flushes. I hope the maintance staff is aware and can make adjustments soon before too much water is wasted. However, in spite of my current location (where we have power assist toilets also--Germans have, for the most part, the cleanest and best equipped public restrooms I have ever seen) I am a U.S. citzen and have lived nearly my entire life in the U.S. (not that you could have possibly known that--sorry) and I have found American toliets (yes, even new ones in brand new buildings) often do not refill fast enough to flush at full power even for the next user when there is a line and people are going in one right after another.

I've seen 2-choice toilets before, just not ones that were deliberately labeled with a euphemism commonly used when toilet-training children. THAT's what I found so amusing; not the fact that it had two settings, which is actually a good idea if properly executed.

Sorry to assume you had not seen the choices before. I absolutely agree the signs sound funny. I made the assumption you had not seen the choices before becuase I really can't imagine why someone would feel the need to "test" both buttons if they were familiar with such toliets

 

[AristocatFan]

Also, in the office I went to in India, they had completely enclosed stalls with a door and each one had a hose connected to the wall and a drain, I guess to clean-up anything on the floor.

People in India do not use toilet paper. They use their left hand for washing and cleaning. That's why you will find very few left handed people as it is considered 'the dirty hand'. It is also considered an insult to offer the left hand for anything. Arabs wear jewelry on their right and eat with their right also. (My brother lived in India for 3 years) But there is toilet paper available for those who do not practice this custom.

 

[AristocatFan]

 

[SandrA9810]

Ikea has toilets like that. Although on one of my few occasions in thier bathrooms, I actually had to number two... so i never tested the number 1 settings.