Countries That Do and Don’t Use Toilet Paper | The Restroom Kit (2024)

There are many aspects of our daily life that influence our culture as a whole: our cooking habits, music likes and dislikes, and even our toilet paper usage. While it might be hard for us to comprehend in America, there are some countries that actually don’t use toilet tissue after going number 1 or number 2. For most of us, this can be a little astonishing – how do people clean themselves after using the bathroom? If you intend to travel around the world, you might want to bring some travel toilet paper with you!

It can be difficult for us to understand how other cultures have other options when it comes to bathroom culture, and it is even more complicated for us to incorporate them since they are not common for us. As different as their customs may be in other countries, it’s important for us to honor and respect their ways. It is also important to consider that all of these choices have to do with a huge historical background that influences our habits to this day. It is also essential to comprehend that these changes are part of the cultural shock: you need to embrace them.

Paper, Water, or Hand?

If other countries don’t use toilet paper to clean themselves, what do they use instead? For many cultures, bathroom habits come from what has been available, rather than what is easy. The washroom essential for many cultures is a container of water. Instead of wiping, they rinse themselves clean by pouring water over a bowl, or even a hole.

In other cultures, the common custom is to cook, eat, and greet with the right hand and the right hand only. This happens because the left hand is specifically used for bathroom usage. In these countries, you must never greet somebody with your left hand because this can be considered rude, impolite, or even disgusting. There are countries that have toilet tissue available, but the common preference is to take a jar of water along to the restroom. If you’ve ever taken a trip to India, you may have noticed this seemingly bizarre habit. While the Indian people have adapted to the toilet paper culture, many prefer to use water instead.

These habits are less likely to be seen in America unless perhaps you’re camping in the woods, at a rest stop that’s out of toilet paper, or have parents and grandparents that come from a country whose culture has different practices. However, if you’re planning to explore other countries, especially countries that do not have modern sanitation systems, it can save you a lot of confusion and stress to be prepared ahead of time by bringing some travel toilet paper with you.

What Countries Do Not Use Toilet Paper?

When visiting another country, it’s polite to learn about their customs prior to arriving so you don’t accidentally offend or embarrass the locals. Studying a culture also helps you to assimilate, giving you a deeper, more enriching experience. If you are planning to visit any of the following countries, you may want to consider bringing a roll of toilet paper for your travels.

India: Tourists are often surprised to learn that toilet paper is not easily accessible here. While you may find toilet paper in hotels and some stores in tourist spots, most homes and public places don’t have them stocked. The people of this culture use water to clean themselves when necessary.

China, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, and Taiwan: In most Asian countries, it is very difficult to find toilet paper, even in stores. Some hotels may have it available in the guestrooms. If you need to use it, it is probably good for you to take your own to guarantee your stock. Considering that toilet paper originated in China, it is very peculiar that it is not exactly popular there.

Some of these Asian countries have a toilet bowl on the floor for you to do your business. Some studies suggest that if you squat, your bathroom activities will be healthier and easier because this position is more natural for the body. Therefore, if you ever visit one of these countries, be prepared, because you will probably need to squat and work your leg muscles to use the washroom.

France, Portugal, Italy, Japan, Argentina, Venezuela, and Spain: Instead of toilet paper, people from these countries (most of them from Europe) usually have a bidet in their washrooms. A bidet like a toilet, but also includes a spout that streams water like a water fountain to rinse you clean. You’re likely to find bidets in the hotels and people’s homes. Some bidets are separate from the toilet, while others have a toilet and bidet all in one. It is also common for people to use neutral soap with a bidet and ensure they are clean after using the restroom.

Big European cities: in big European cities, you are usually charged to use a public bathroom or even to have access to toilet paper. This happens because some people work to keep this service clean and usable. It is also important that you consider tipping the person that is responsible for this maintenance service.

Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan: These countries also use water for their cleaning needs while in the washroom, though the “restroom” isn’t so much a toilet, more of a “hole” in the floor. Much like the people of Asian cultures, you have to squat over the hole. They consider this option much safer, healthier, and more hygienic because you do not have to touch the toilet where many others have stayed before you. Some homes have a small shower that has running water for rinsing. However, most houses do not count on running water so they have mugs and cups that stay in the restroom for when somebody needs them.

Why America Uses Toilet Paper

The United States is the world leader in toilet paper usage. Nearly every American person uses a few feet of toilet paper in their daily life. Every American home bathroom and public restroom (hopefully) has toilet paper readily available. However, it is not like that for every country in the world. We’re exploring the countries that don’t use toilet paper, and w However, if you intend to travel around the world, you must understand how these habits work differently wherever you go that you can do if you find yourself visiting these countries.

If you commonly use toilet paper in your house, it’s probably because you grew up in a society that does the same. In America, we use toilet paper for our hygiene, like cleaning up after using the bathroom, cleaning and clearing our noses, and more. Toilet paper is cheap, useful, and practical in our culture. However, there are some theories about the effectiveness of toilet paper. There are those who claim that toilet paper is not a very “clean” option.

Some professionals say that toilet paper can be a little inefficient, mainly when it comes to number two.

According to their studies, many people still have some traces of poop on their bodies, even after cleaning “thoroughly” with toilet paper. They also point out that some conditions, such as hemorrhoids or infections, can happen because of improper toilet paper usage. However, our culture is very used to using toilet paper, and it’s less likely that we’ll change our washroom habits.

Travel with Toilet Paper and More!

Knowing some of these facts can make you feel grateful for the sanitation systems and plumbing we have today. But the Ugly Truth is, even if you travel 10 minutes from your home, public restrooms can be a filthy environment. That’s why we developed The Restroom Kit.

The Restroom Kit is not only about travel toilet paper. Each kit includes all of the valuable necessities that can be useful in your daily life and your bathroom routine. Each kit includes a toilet seat cover, a yard of toilet paper, an antibacterial wipe for your hands, and a wet wipe for your behind. The Restroom Kit also has spray and gel hand sanitizers separately available for sale online. We know that practicing good safe hygiene is more important than ever nowadays due to the Coronavirus pandemic. You can bring the discreet Restroom Kit, with all it’s useful resources, everywhere you go.

The Restroom Kit is specifically developed for you to feel safer and more comfortable during these times. You can find the original Restroom Kit or grab the Restroom Kit Plus that also includes a feminine liner. Both kits are very useful resources when it comes to answering the call of nature, no matter where you are. When you need to use public toilets or washrooms, whether you’re in a country that uses toilet paper or not, you can feel comfortable and confident that you’re using safe sanitary products. Order your Restroom Kit today by visiting our website at www.therestroomkit.com. The Restroom Kit is here to help make your restroom habits healthier and cleaner.