The Toilet Decorating Trick That Is Catching Major Heat Online

When it comes to sprucing up the bathroom, there's a need to keep sanitation at the forefront of any decorative plan. There are plenty of bathroom design trends that experts are conflicted on, and there's no better place to find decorating controversy than TikTok. One controversial TikTok trend even has some folks putting flowers in their toilet tanks. This trick is simple: remove the top of your toilet tank, then take a bunch of freshly trimmed flowers and place them inside the water, positioning them around the flushing mechanisms. Arrange the rows of flowers according to height and color, trimming them to your preference. Finally, add flower food packets to the water. You can leave the tank lid next to the base of the toilet or store it somewhere safe.

While the flower trick certainly adds a touch of whimsy to the bathroom's aesthetic, responses to this trend on social media haven't been the most favorable. Some people expressed concerns over it being a pollution hazard while others questioned the purpose of adding flower food packets to the water that will eventually be flushed. There were even a fair amount of commenters who thought the hack was a joke.

If you attempt this flower tank trick, bear in mind that debris in the toilet tank could potentially disrupt the flushing process. Parts of the flowers like fallen leaves or petals could get tangled up in the chain or clog the flapper, therefore disrupting the tank's ability to drain and refill effectively. As for any concerns about the flower food negatively impacting the toilet tank, flower food is usually made of sugar, citric acid, and a biocide ingredient. Harsh acids and biocides are some of the cleaning items you should never add to the toilet tank because they can corrode the inside over time. Then there's the matter of the buildup that forms when flowers sit in water for extended periods of time — as in the slimy substance that forms on the inside of any vase filled with flowers. Plenty of nasty bacteria and fungi already exist in and around toilets, and they may only be fueled by decomposing flower stems and leaves. 

But is it safe to use an active toilet tank to display a floral arrangement? While there don't appear to be any formal studies on the impact of long-term exposure from flowers sitting in a toilet tank, to be on the safe side, we'd recommend staying away from any trick that involves exposing the tank to harsh chemicals, debris, bacteria, and mold growth. Instead, check out a tank tray DIY that will turn your toilet into a throne and beautify the bathroom — without the possibility of a plumbing bill.