Exploring Global Toilet Hygiene Practices

Cultural differences extend beyond food, language, or clothing, but also manifest in bathroom habits. One of the most debated aspects is post-toilet hygiene: whether to use toilet paper or water. In many Western nations such as the UK and US, toilet paper is standard, whereas across most Asian countries, the Middle East, and parts of Southern Europe, water cleansing is considered more hygienic. According to BBC, for many Eastern communities, water cleansing is deemed far more effective than wiping with paper. The logic is simple: if there’s a stain like chocolate pudding on the skin, most people would choose rinsing with water over wiping with paper. Water cleansing is also gentler on the skin than even the softest toilet paper. France is credited with introducing the term ‘bidet’, while Italy, Argentina, and several other countries still consider it a standard bathroom fixture. In Finland, handheld water sprayers are also commonly used. Nevertheless, the UK and US remain heavily reliant on toilet paper. Anglo-American bathroom culture has had a significant influence on the modern world. In her book Bathroom, architectural historian Barbara Penner described the trend as ‘sanitary imperialism’ in the 1920s. However, this influence hasn’t been universally accepted; using toilet paper for cleansing is still seen as odd in many Eastern countries. In many Muslim-majority nations, water remains the preferred method due to religious teachings on personal cleanliness.