Although this may be a topic that most would avoid, the fact of the matter is that some people do pee in their sinks. OK, so this applies to men for the most part, because for very obvious reasons, it’s much easier for them to do so than it is for women.
Gender aside, can you pee in a sink? Are there legitimate and rational reasons to do this?
Why Would Someone Pee in a Sink?
It is not a very flattering image to have in your head. That said, there are some legitimate reasons why someone might do this, and yes, some less legitimate reasons too. Let’s take a look at four reasons why someone might urinate in their sink.
#1: A Broken Toilet
One legit reason why someone might pee in their sink is quite simply because their toilet is broken. If the toilet is broken and does not flush, then you cannot use it. Well, you could use it, but if you can’t flush, then all of that urine and waste is just going to sit there causing your bathroom to smell to the high heavens.
Peeing down the sink is an easy way to ensure that the urine flows down the drain and leaves your bathroom, instead of just stewing in your toilet bowl.
#2: The Bathroom is Occupied
Have you ever lived with a roommate, one that is constantly in the bathroom and takes what seems like hours to shower? It can get quite annoying, particularly if you just had a couple of cups of your favorite morning coffee blend.
If nature calls, sometimes there is no choice but to answer that call, and if that roommate is taking up the bathroom, then the next best option might be the kitchen sink. It might not be a fun thing to do, but it is admittedly better than soiling your pants.
#3: To Save Water
Ok, so one of the main things that people will say when asked why they pee in the sink regularly is because it helps save water. In the sink, you can let the water run for a few seconds to send urine down the drain. However, with a toilet, every flush does use a lot of water, and that’s money some people don’t have to spare.
As far as we are concerned, this might just be the most legitimate reason why a person might choose to do something like this. Although in that case, “letting the yellow mellow” might be a better option to consider.
#4: Because People Do Weird Things
Finally, one other reason why someone might pee in a sink, particularly a teenage boy, is simply because they can. Who knows, people just do weird and downright stupid things, especially teenage boys. It might be as simple as “I wonder if I could reach?”
Some people also note that peeing in the sink is much quieter than peeing in the toilet. The reason we mention this is because some people have a fear of or feel uncomfortable when other people can hear them urinate.
Does Peeing in the Sink Actually Save Water?
You might think that people who pee in the sink to save water are downright crazy, but they are actually on to something because yes, peeing in the sink does save water. Just think about it, an average toilet can use anywhere up to two gallons of water per flush, and that’s a whole lot, particularly in a world where water shortages are becoming more common. Even low-flow toilets use nearly a gallon of water per flush.
If you pee in the sink, instead of flushing several gallons of clean and drinkable water down the toilet, you just wash your hands in the same sink, thus effectively flushing the urine down the drain.
Instead of wasting tons of water on a flush, and then using even more to wash your hands, you can end up using just a few hundred milliliters of water to wash and “flush” simultaneously.
What Are the Drawbacks of Peeing in the Sink?
For all of the water-saving benefits associated with peeing in the sink, there are of course some obvious drawbacks to consider as well:
- There is this theory that urine is totally sterile. In many cases, if you are super healthy and in tip-top shape, this may be true. That said, many people are not healthy, and what this means is that various bacteria and parasites may be present in urine. Those bacteria can then end up in your sink, and they may cause illness.
- As we all know, nobody’s aim is perfect. If you pee in the sink, particularly during the night or just if you aren’t paying attention, you could end up making quite the mess, and a sink, faucet, and countertop full of urine is an issue that absolutely not a single person on this planet wants to deal with.
- Of course, there is also the fact that urine smells. If you make a mess or you don’t wash the sink out properly after each time, it can end up smelling quite vile.
So, Can I Pee in the Sink?
Technically speaking, as long as your aim is true and you make sure to clean up afterward, there is no reason why you can’t pee in a sink. That said, it’s definitely a bit odd, and most would consider it to be unsanitary as well.
How Many Men Pee in the Sink?
There are some studies out there about this topic, some of which state that as many as 41% of men have peed in a sink or do so regularly. However, the sample groups are quite small, and various studies have differing results, so we do not feel comfortable providing you with numbers here.
That said, from what can be found online, both within studies and on social media, peeing in sinks is indeed more common among men than most of us would like to admit.
Summary
At the end of the day, if you absolutely have to pee in a sink, don’t worry about it too much. Just make sure that everything is clean and sterile when you are done.
However, if you have the option to do so, using the toilet is recommended.