How To Replace A Toilet Seat

Whether it gets dingy, worn out or you just moved into a new place, here's how to replace that old toilet seat.

It's a quick, easy and cheap DIY.

And one that keeps your bathroom looking fresh.


As many of you may know, either because you're a longtime follower or because I say it a lot, I don't redecorate that often.

Many- if not most - of the rooms in my home look the same as they did almost twenty years ago.

Oh sure, there are the occasional big projects that go along with homeownership. 

And lots of tiny decor updates, like curtain or rug swaps, but overall, the view is all pretty boring around here. Which suits me just fine.

I love what I have and don't feel the need to make changes.

However. And this is a big however. 

When you don't update that often, things tend to get worn from longtime use.

And while consistency in my decor makes me smile, dingy decor does not.

So, we touch up chipped paint spots when necessary. I make new curtains when the old ones fade and I repair the sofa and chairs when they rip.

Sometimes, the DIYs require a little creativity to restore items to their former glory, but overall, the real trick to long lasting, fresh looking decor is good old fashion housekeeping.

Yup. Boring, tedious, daily washing and wiping. That's it, that's the secret.

Especially in the bathrooms. 


It's the foolproof secret to keeping a bathroom looking just renovated for years.

Now before you get all crazy, thinking that cleaning is all I do every day, I don't.

I'm talking about doing the basics. And it takes a total of about 5 minutes to get it all done.

I wipe the counters to clean off any toothpaste or water, so mold doesn't have a chance to pool or fester and darken the grout or caulk.

I wipe out the sink with a damp rag since it's porous and I wouldn't want it to stain. I shine up the fixtures and mirrors, too.

I pick up any wet towels or damp laundry piles and put them in the washroom. Lastly,  I wipe off the outside of the toilet and give the inside a little brush scrub. 

The basics.

The big cleaning, the glass shower doors, the floors, I do - or I have my kids do - once a week...or every other.

See not every day. There's no need for that.

Anyway, the point is the best way to keep your new renovation or your home in general, looking its best, for a really long time, is to keep it clean. Not just neat, but clean.

And it's way easier than it sounds.

Those teeny little moves make all the difference.

But here's another secret. You know what doesn't stay fresh looking no matter how well and how often you clean it?

The toilet seat.


I know, not a conversation for polite company, but it's reality.

If it's clean, nobody notices. But if it's not...well...

And I learned long ago, that you can clean it all you want, but the best way to keep your entire bathroom looking fabulous and fresh is to just replace it.

As soon as it starts looking dingy.

They're super cheap and you can accomplish the task in about 10 minutes.

Plus, once the seat it off, you can clean the toilet really, really well.

Ok, so how do you do it?

How To Replace A Toilet Seat

Honestly, this job is so simple, anyone can do it. Pinky promise.

I normally do it myself, but this time I asked my handy mister to help me out so I could snap the photos. Ordinarily, it's a one person job.

First things first, you need to get a new seat.


There are tons on the market, including very, very pricey ones. I steer clear of those. The ones I buy are anywhere from $5 - $10.

I haven't found that the expensive ones hold up any better than the cheap ones and unless it's padded...don't laugh, we had those in my house growing up...they all feel the same.

There are supposedly mold and mildew resistant ones, but again, I haven't seen a difference. And there are the easy close ones, but I've found the basics suit us fine. 

No, the difference you need to pay attention to, is the shape. They come in round or oval, based on your toilet shape. Ours are round.

You can measure your current seat to determine this.

Next up, you need to get the old one off the toilet. To do this, simply pop open the clips that hide the screws, grab a screwdriver and get moving.


Now, the screws are anchored underneath the bowl with a plastic nut. So it's easiest to remove the screws, if you have one hand on that nut holding it.

Otherwise, you're just going to be spinning the screws without any progress. 

When the screws are out, there may or may not be stickly tabs on the base that need to be removed. Older toilet seats didn't have them. Today, they are pretty standard.

If they're really stuck or the tape residue remains you can use a razor in a safety case to scrape it off. Or peanut butter. Seriously. 

Once the seat is gone, it's cleaning time. 


The space is unencumbered so doing the job thoroughly is quick. I use a paper towel and vinegar.  

The new seat comes with everything you need.


Just unwrap it, grab that screwdriver again and get ready to reverse the process, starting with those sticky tabs.

Their purpose is to help set the toilet set in place and to keep it in place, so it doesn't move around in use.  

Simply remove one side of the backing and stick it to the backside of the mounting clip. 


Then remove the other side of the tape, so the tacky side is exposed, open the clip, place a screw in the hole.


Repeat this on the other side and then line up the screws with the holes on the back of the toilet base.

Lastly, place the nut on the screw, from underneath, hold it in place to stabilize it and tighten the plastic screw until it's secured in place.


And that's that!

Invisible to most, but an update that will give your entire bathroom a quick facelift.

Without renovating a single thing.

My favorite.


Do you ever replace your toilet seats?