HIDE Round back-to-wall WC with soft-close seat by Alice Ceramica

15.10.2026 Italian Bathrooms

How to remove and adjust a soft-close toilet seat

A soft-close seat lowers itself gently instead of slamming. Most modern seats, including the Alice Ceramica soft-close seats for HIDE, NUR and UNICA/FORM, are also quick-release (or "easy release"): they come off in seconds for cleaning. Here is how to remove one, what to do if the soft-close stops working, and how to pick the right replacement.

How to remove a quick-release toilet seat

Lift the seat and lid to the upright position.
Find the release. Most quick-release seats have either a button on one or both hinges, or no button at all: the seat simply clicks off the hinge posts when lifted in the upright position.
Press the button(s), if there are any, and lift the seat straight up off the hinge posts. Do not twist it.
Clean the hinge posts and the ceramic around them, where dirt builds up most. Mild soap and water only.
Refit: line up the seat over the posts and push down until you hear it click on both sides.

If the seat has no quick-release and no button, it is fixed with bolts. On a back-to-wall or wall-hung WC these are usually tightened from above, under plastic covers on the hinges: lift the caps and unscrew.

The soft-close stopped working: what now?

Soft-close is created by small hydraulic dampers inside the hinges. They wear out over time, especially if the seat is regularly pushed down by hand.

Seat drops too fast: the damper has lost resistance. A few seats have an adjustment screw on the hinge, but most dampers are sealed and cannot be adjusted. The fix is to replace the hinges or the seat.
Seat does not close all the way or stops halfway: check that it is fully clicked onto both posts. A seat sitting slightly high on one side will not close evenly.
Seat wobbles or slides sideways: the hinge fixing bolts have loosened. Tighten them, but do not overtighten against the ceramic.
Seat is noisy or sticks: clean the hinge with a damp cloth. Never spray oil or silicone lubricant into the dampers.

To make the soft-close last: let the seat and lid close under their own weight. Never push them down.

Is there a universal toilet seat?

"Universal" seats exist, but they only fit standard oval bowls approximately. Designer WCs have their own shapes, sizes and hinge positions, so a generic seat will overhang, leave gaps or not close properly. Always use the seat made for your WC model.

For Alice Ceramica toilets, each seat is designed for its collection:

Seats are available in the same colours as the ceramics, so a matt-coloured WC can have a matching seat. See all seats.

Caring for the seat

Clean with mild soap and water, then dry with a soft cloth.
Avoid bleach, solvents and abrasive cleaners: they dull and discolour the surface.
Keep the lid open while toilet cleaner is working in the bowl.
Do not stand on the seat or lid.