A manual toilet seat lifter apparatus is provided for lifting and lowering a toilet seat and includes strap hinge members connected to the toilet seat. A hinge pin is received in the strap hinge members. A riser rod is connected to the hinge pin. A handle is connected to a top end of the riser rod, and a counterweight is connected to a bottom end of the riser rod. Preferably, a horizontal transition portion is connected between the hinge pin and the riser rod. Preferably, a horizontal extension portion is connected to the riser rod at a location on the riser rod which is opposite to the horizontal transition portion. With a second embodiment of the invention, which is a combined toilet seat lifter and toilet seat cover lifter apparatus, toilet seat cover lifting means are provided for lifting and lowering a toilet seat cover.