If you’ve ever thought your poo is just a bunch of dead cells, think again. Most of it is alive, teeming with billions of microbes. Here’s what studies in healthy adults reveal makes up our poo.

Toilet plungers are essential household tools you hope you'll never need to use. But in the case that you do, it might as well be a good one. Here's what you should look for if you're in the market for one.

If you’re tired of stumbling around in the dark during those late-night bathroom breaks, the solution is here. The IllumiBowl 2.0 boasts a longer battery life, an improved motion sensor, and a three-stage dimmer to make sure you have no problem locating your porcelain throne.

It can often be pretty difficult to convince a determined two year old to quit nappies. To avoid this conflict, many families are adopting a different approach to toilet training, one that is more commonly used in other parts of the world, including China, parts of Africa, India, and South and Central America. This method, called Elimination Communication (EC or assisted infant toilet training), is becoming increasingly popular in the West. It involves starting toilet training from birth by following the child's cues.

Out of the blue I passed bright red pee. I freaked, thinking it was a sign of terminal disease. Then I remembered the roasted beetroot tarts served at the party the night before – so delicious I’d eaten three! Beetroot, artificial colours, vitamin supplements and medications can change the colour of your urine or bowel motions. Knowing which colour changes are due to food or medicines can save you worry, or provide an early alert to get to the doctor.

Video: People have been debating which way the toilet paper should roll for as long as we've had toilet paper. This video from Wendover Productions provides more folio for this long-standing debate.

Video: Bathroom odours can be traumatising whether you caused it or not. Products like Poo-Pourri can help keep the stench at bay, but you can easily make your own smell-be-gone spray at home.