You may have gotten used to seeing white toilets your whole life that you never questioned why this is standard. But have you not once wondered why toilets are normally white? There are actually a few reasons for that.
Toilets are usually white for logical reasons. First of all, most toilets are made out of porcelain which is naturally white. Colored toilets are more expensive and also harder to keep clean than white ones. We also associate the color white with clean and sterile environments like bathrooms and hospitals.
Toilets are Made from Porcelain
Not all, actually. But 95 percent of toilets are made from porcelain. Before being transformed into toilets and other structures including art, porcelain is actually translucent. But when heated, it becomes white. It is composed of different components, including:
- Quartz
- Silica
- Feldspar
- Kaolin
- Clay
There may be other components added to porcelain but the ones enumerated above are the most important. Another fact about porcelain is that this material is non-absorbent, making it ideal to hold water and prevent it from leaking. It’s also durable and extremely hard.
White is the most convenient option when making toilets because it looks… well, nice. Adding color to it will only make room for more material and time, thus adding to the cost of production. White is simply the easiest.
How the Color White is Perceived
People are naturally attracted to cleanliness because we are visual creatures. Seeing white immediately translates to cleanliness because this is the color that means purity. The significance of white is also valued by religious people all over the world, revered in the saying, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” Let’s discuss more of the significance of white.
Space
One trick in interior design is utilizing the color white to create a sense of a more spacious area. The reason for this is that white does not really stand out and often blends with its surroundings.
White is one of the best colors to make a room appear bigger, so a white toilet can give the impression that your bathroom is actually bigger than it actually is.
Godliness
As mentioned, white is significant in religion in a way that it is automatically linked to Godliness. Regardless of one’s religion, white translates to purity and innocence. This is also the reason why most wedding gowns are white.
White can also show dirt more easily than other colors. When we spot dirt, we’re immediately inclined to clean it.
Sterile
We already know that most bacteria are practically invisible to the naked eye, but we’re so accustomed to associating white with cleanliness that anything white is automatically clean in our eyes. A regular person would think: “I don’t see anything so it must be clean,” right? This doesn’t just apply in toilets –anything white, from clothes, cars, tables, chairs, to kitchenware is automatically perceived as clean.
Makes Dirt Stand Out
When your toilet is white, you will easily see dirt or discoloration. It’s like a trigger that makes you want to clean it once spotted. When your toilet is dirty, it’s normal to feel embarrassed about it, so you clean it before anyone sees it.
Some jobs also require their professionals to wear white, such as doctors, nurses, and chefs. This is because any dirt is easily spotted in white, and with these professions, dirt and germs are a no-no. Whereas people who have to work outdoors often wear dark or earth colors in order to mask stains and dirt.
White is also preferred in these areas:
- Hazardous/chemical waste
- Labs
- Hospitals
- Chefs
- Weddings
- Doctors’ offices
The Resale Value of White
General Preference
White has long been accepted as the standard color for toilets. They don’t attract attention and people have gotten used to them. So when you’re selling a house, a white toilet won’t be questioned.
We can’t say for sure how most people would see blue, green, or a black toilet. Maybe some are okay with it, but others would truly ask what the story behind the unconventional color is. It could end up being a deciding factor for the buyer.
Clean and Modern
As mentioned, white toilets look clean, durable, and widely accepted. They embody a modern look that can fit in any home, regardless of the motif or design. It can be big or small, but as long as it’s white, it will always look brand new so long as it’s regularly sanitized.
Minimalist
White is a staple among minimalists. It’s a simple color that can blend in but you can also make a standout. It also gives the impression that a room or any area is more spacious. It represents practicality and functionality. White is simply the color that minimalists would not want to miss.
Conclusion
Toilets don’t have to be white, but they are mostly white because the color is great and functional. You can be more colorful, but why not go the easier route and choose white?
It’s safe to say at this point that toilets are not made intentionally to be white. It’s just that most of them are made of porcelain for durability purposes. For years, however, it has worked as the standard color for many toilet makers. As you may have noticed, there are not a lot of colored toilets in the market.
We should also probably add that toilet paper is white for the same reason: because they are cleaner to look at. How weird would it be if your toilet paper had the natural brown color of paper? In an aesthetic sense, would you even use brown toilet paper to wipe your private parts?
On a much deeper level, white toilet paper is indeed cleaner because it has gone through the bleaching process. Porcelain isn’t bleached, but the process of making it involves sterilization so you won’t have to worry about a thing.
Do you have other ideas on why toilets are all so famously white? Do you prefer other colors of toilets? Share your thoughts and suggestions with us.
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