Australians primarily use toilet paper, as it's the standard in most Western countries, but there's a growing interest and adoption of bidets (or bidet sprays) for better hygiene and environmental reasons, driven by water conservation concerns and a desire for eco-friendlier options, though traditional paper remains dominant, say this Quora post and this Reddit thread.
Developed countries like the US, UK, Germany, France, and Australia commonly employ toilet paper. In these countries, toilet paper is readily available in stores and is considered a necessity in households. The usage of toilet paper in these countries is so common that it is considered a part of their daily routine.
People of this culture use water to wash themselves when necessary. France, Portugal, Italy and Japan. Instead of toilet paper, people from these countries usually have bidets in their bathrooms. A bidet looks like a toilet but also has a spout that sprays water like a fountain to thoroughly cleanse you.
Not all countries or cultures use toilet paper to wipe their bums. This can be because of cultures that have traditionally used alternatives to toilet paper and therefore never really used it or lack of access to toilet paper.
Around 70% of the world doesn't rely on toilet paper in the way we do, turning to water before tissue. In many parts of Asia, the Middle East, South America and Southern Europe, bidets, handheld sprayers, and even simple jugs of water are common features of the basic bathroom setup.
Many cultures embraced (and still use) water as the best way to clean up after relieving yourself. In parts of North Africa, Asia and The Middle East, it was common to wipe with your hand and then clean up with water. For that reason, people only shook hands with the right.
Maybe it's time we rethink our bathroom habits for a cleaner planet 🤔 Interesting stats: China uses over 4 billion miles of toilet paper each year – more than any other country. The average Portuguese person uses 643.36 miles of toilet paper in their lifetime – more than any other nationality.
The "3 poop rule," or "three-and-three rule," is a guideline for normal bowel habits, suggesting that pooping anywhere from three times a day to three times a week is considered healthy, with individual patterns varying widely. It helps identify issues: fewer than three times a week may signal constipation, while more than three times a day (especially with loose stools) might indicate diarrhea, prompting a doctor visit for persistent problems, notes Symprove UK.
In parts of India and Arabia, people exclusively use their bare left hand for wiping. They consider it disgusting that other cultures use toilet paper, as it leaves behind an unpleasant residue.
Washing with water is a much more effective and long-lasting way of cleaning, and removes more germs and bacteria than paper. Using water is a much more gentle and soothing way of cleaning after using the toilet and the feeling of freshness and cleanliness is incomparable to when using paper.
In many Amish homes, rags are a common toilet paper alternative. These rags are typically old clothes that have been worn out. After simple processing, they become practical cleaning tools.
Muslims use water after using the toilet because *Islam emphasizes cleanliness* and purity. Using water ensures *better hygiene* and is part of *ritual purification (ṭahārah)* required for prayer. It's not that tissue is forbidden—many use both—but water is seen as more thorough and cleaner.
Parts of Southeast Asia: In countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia, the plumbing systems can be easily overwhelmed. Here, it's common to use a “bum gun” or a bidet spray instead of toilet paper. If toilet paper is used, it should be thrown in a bin, not flushed.
Woop Woop is used to refer to a place in the middle of nowhere. People use it to signify that a location is far away, unfamiliar to them, and difficult to get to.
Did you know before tp was invented in 1871, people used to wipe themselves with stones, clay, sponges, leaves, and all sorts of 'natural solutions'? Australians used to use waxed paper until Sorbent pioneered the first commercial roll of Dry Crepe Toilet Paper in 1952, going from not so soft, to extra soft.
Bluey wants to play 'three in the bed' while Dad is in the dunny. But Mum doesn't like it when Bluey says the word 'dunny' and insists she say 'toilet' instead. Bluey doesn't understand why and tries to trick Mum into saying the word by playing 'Pass It On'.
Eating any food while on the toilet is forbidden. After defecating, the anus must be washed with water using the left hand, or an odd number of smooth stones or pebbles called jamrah or hijaarah (Sahih Al-Bukhari 161, Book 4, Hadith 27). Many jurists agree that toilet paper suffices in place of these stones.
Muslims are encouraged to perform ablution (Wudu) before prayers, which involves washing the face, hands, arms, feet, and rinsing the mouth and nose. This practice is based on the Hadith: “When you stand for prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows…” (Quran 5:6, Sahih Muslim 244).
Unlike Westerners, Indians use their hands and water to clean their bottoms. First, they touch the excreta with their fingers and then they clean those fingers subsequently. At one level, this highlights the particular emphasis that the Indian psyche gives to the removal of impure substances from the body.
Poop is made up of mostly water, about 75%! The remaining 25% is a stinky combination of fiber, bacteria, cells and mucous. Bile is a greenish fluid produced in the liver that aids in the digestion of fat and can alter the color of your poop.
Mushy stool with fluffy pieces that have a pudding-shaped consistency is an early stage of diarrhea. This form of stool has passed through the colon quickly due to stress or a dramatic change in diet or activity level. When mushy stool occurs, it's hard to control the urge or timing of the bowel movement.
Plumbers are constantly asked this question and the simple answer is Yes, it is legal to install a bidet or toilet spray in Australia, but with strict regulations in place to protect the water supply. These devices are classified as high-hazard items by the Plumbing Code of Australia.
Green Bay has long been known as the "toilet paper capital of the world" because the first splinter-free toilet paper was produced here.
About 70% of the world uses water for cleansing after using the toilet, often with bidets, handheld sprayers (bum guns), or simple jugs, while others use reusable cloths, natural materials like leaves, or even hands, viewing it as cleaner than paper, especially in Asia, the Middle East, South America, and parts of Europe. Only about 30% rely primarily on toilet paper due to cultural traditions, resource availability, and a preference for water's effectiveness and lower environmental impact.