How to use a toilet in Germany (AVOID Doing This!)

You should sit with your bottom on the toilet seat. Don’t stand on the toilet as this can break it. Your feet should touch the floor.

Some people get confused by the toilets in Germany and want to stand on them. This is not what they are designed for!

It is possible that the lid of the toilet is closed (see image below). Simply lift it up. Don’t use too much force when you do this. The lid will rest against the wall or toilet tank.

This is how you use the toilet. You sit on the toilet seat. Don’t stand on it as this can break a toilet!

Use toilet paper after you are done to clean yourself. Place it in the toilet bowl. You should flush from time to time as too much toilet paper in the toilet bowl can cause problems.

Once you are done, you can use the toilet brush if needed. Close the toilet lid again before you wash your hands. 

You can lift the toilet seat if you want to pee while standing. This is not recommended as it can cause a mess. Make sure that you don’t splash around the toilet on the floor.

Be respectful towards other people that have to use the toilet and make sure that you clean the toilet seat with toilet paper if you have dripped on it.

A lifted toilet seat. Image by PlumbingInstantFix. All rights reserved.

What toilets do they have in Germany: how to use

Standing toilets

Standing toilets are quite similar to what you see in the USA. They are mounted on the floor.

In Europe, the toilets have less water in the toilet bowl. This can take some getting used to as you might see some of the contents inside the bowl. It also increases the need to use a toilet brush.

Hanging toilets

Hanging toilets are quite modern. These toilets are attached to the wall instead of on the floor. This makes them easier to clean.

 They have a weight limit so be careful when you sit on them. 

Urinoir

These toilets are meant for men. Men stand while using these. In most instances, the flush will work automatically. 

These are often found in restaurants and other public places. People don’t have these toilets at home.

Mobile versions of this are also used during music festivals.

Example of an urinoir. Image by PlumbingInstantFix. All rights reserved.

How to flush a toilet in Germany

Most toilets in Germany have one or two buttons. You should push these. Don’t apply too much force though as they can break.

One button

Just follow these steps. 

Step 1: Prep your toilet. – First, you want to make sure your toilet is ready to be flushed. This includes putting down the lid. 

Step 2: Press the right button. – Then, decide which button to press on your toilet. The button you choose will determine how much water your toilet uses to flush. The small button is used for pee. The bigger button is used for poop as this requires more water to flush.  

Step 3: Press it. – Finally, press the button on your toilet to flush it. As long as you followed the above steps, you’ll be fine. After flushing your toilet, you can sit back and relax. You did it! If there are two buttons, you should only push one. Don’t push both at the same time!

Example of a toilet with a flush bottom in the toilet tank. Push it down gently. Image by PlumbingInstantFix. All rights reserved.

Most newer toilets have a wall-mounted flush. Older toilets might have a flush inside the toilet itself. You will have to push the part down in the toilet. Don’t push it too hard as these parts can break quite easily. You also shouldn’t push them too deep.

Some toilets only have one button. Push it gently on the lower part of it. Image by PlumbingInstantFix. All rights reserved.

Some toilets also have a handle that you have to push down. Once again, don’t use too much force when you do this.

Two buttons

Dual flush toilet. Image by PlumbingInstantFix. All rights reserved.

The next thing you should know about flushing a toilet is what each button does. This will help you determine which button to use for your toilet paper.

The small button is used after peeing. The bigger one is for poop. There are separate buttons for this as poop needs more water to get flushed. We want to save water with these separate buttons. This is why newer toilets often have two buttons. 

What can you flush in toilets in Germany?

It is important to remember that there are a lot of things that you can’t throw in the toilet. This ranges from food, dirt, and cooking oil to wet wipes. 

All of these items don’t dissolve in the toilet drain and can cause clogs. Your toilet won’t work anymore and this can lead to expensive repairs. All of these items should go in the trash bin instead of the toilet!

You can only flush toilet paper, pee, and poop. All other items can cause problems. Even wet wipes and paper towels shouldn’t be flushed as they don’t dissolve in the toilet. This can lead to problems and clogs.

Tampons should be disposed of in the bin next to the toilet. It is not allowed to flush these as they will clog up the toilet!

Bin next to a toilet in Germany. Image by PlumbingInstantFix, all rights reserved.

How to unclog a toilet in Germany

Toilet clogs are a common issue that is often easy to solve with a plunger. It is a frustrating issue when the toilet isn’t flushing properly, but more importantly, it can cause damage when water backs up into the home or office. Here’s a list of simple steps that can be taken to unclog any toilet quickly and efficiently.

If that didn’t work, you can consider using a closet auger (see below). Wear gloves and goggles when you do this. This can push the clog further down your drains.

 Be careful when you do this as it can damage your drains if it is not done properly. Furthermore, it can spray water out of the toilet. Most people shouldn’t do this. We have discussed how to use this here.

If that didn’t work, you will probably have to call a plumber (we have discussed using a pressure washer below but this is a more advanced technique).

  In some instances, they will have to remove the toilet as something is stuck inside of it. While you can do this yourself, it is important that you get the toilet back in place (don’t forget the wax ring!) and it is possible that this won’t fix the problem.

If you are handy, you can use a water jet or a drain snake, we will discuss this below. This is not for everyone as you can damage your drains if you don’t use it correctly.

A lot of toilets are made in Germany. This means that they have access to the new toilet models. It is also to get replacement parts if needed.

You can flush toilet paper in this country.

Are there public toilets in Germany and do you have to pay for them?

Yes, most cities have public toilets. 

These can be harder to find in smaller cities though.

Most museums, stations, and some underground parking also have toilets. These are generally free to use.

Toilets in a museum in Germany. Image by PlumbingInstantFix, all rights reserved.

These toilets are generally quite clean but in most instances, there is no one present so you might arrive in a dirty toilet if the person in front of you didn’t take care of it. 

These are generally not open 24/7. The easiest option is generally to drink something at a restaurant and go to the toilet there.

If you don’t drink something at the restaurant, they generally will ask you to pay something to use the toilet. Even if you drink something, they might ask for a contribution.

 Most stores in Germany don’t have a toilet.

Bidets are not used often in Germany. Toilet paper is the mainly used over there.

It can take some adjustments to use a toilet in Germany. You will get used to it quite soon though.

We have discussed how toilets work here.