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Do they use toilet paper in India?

Author

Daniel Moore

Published Jan 10, 2026

Most of India still uses water to wash, rather than toilet paper — which is a very good thing.

Why don't they use toilet paper in India?

For Indians, the use of toilet paper to clean the bottom is insufficient. It does not and cannot clean properly. Cleaning is not complete in the absence of water.

Does toilet paper exist in India?

Squat toilets in India don't use toilet paper but rather water to rinse areas that come into contact with wastes. Because toilet paper typically isn't used, a spray hose or a bucket of water is the only source. Sometimes other guests use the water before anyone notices and refills the bucket.

What country does not use toilet paper?

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.

Do people in India wipe?

In India, as right across Asia, the left hand is for wiping your bottom, cleaning your feet and other unsavoury functions (you also put on and take off your shoes with your left hand), while the right hand is for eating, shaking hands and so on.

38 related questions found

Do Muslims use toilet paper?

Turkey's top religious authority has decreed that Muslims may use toilet paper – though water is still preferable for cleansing. “If water cannot be found for cleansing, other cleaning materials can be used.

Why does India have poor sanitation?

Much of the solid waste is emptied into rivers, lakes and ponds untreated. The World Bank links one in ten deaths in India to poor sanitation. From contaminated groundwater children pick up chronic infections that impair their bodies' ability to absorb nutrients.

Which countries use Indian toilet?

Squat toilets are common in many Asian countries, including China and India. They are also widespread in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Iran. They can be found in nations like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore.

Do Koreans use toilet paper?

If you are worried about Korean bathrooms, there are basically two things to know. First is always carry toilet paper and secondly, hit the gym so that you can squat!

What did Victorians use for toilet paper?

Through the 1700s, corncobs were a common toilet paper alternative. Then, newspapers and magazines arrived in the early 18th century.

Do Japanese use toilet paper?

Toilet paper is used in Japan, even by those who own toilets with bidets and washlet functions (see below). In Japan, toilet paper is thrown directly into the toilet after use.

How Can I poop without toilet paper?

What are the best alternatives to toilet paper?

  1. Baby wipes.
  2. Bidet.
  3. Sanitary pad.
  4. Reusable cloth.
  5. Napkins and tissue.
  6. Towels and washcloths.
  7. Sponges.
  8. Safety and disposal.

What religion does not use toilet paper?

The objective behind this practice, Muslims believe, is the emphasis of Islam on keeping the body adequately clean. “Islam places great emphasis on personal hygiene,” said Maulana Imran Ahmad, an Islamic scholar in India. “Muslims are required to clean themselves well with water before offering prayers.

Do Europeans use toilet paper?

While Europeans do use toilet paper, WCs may not always be well stocked. If you're averse to the occasional drip-dry, carry pocket-size tissue packs (easy to buy in Europe) for WCs sans TP.

Are there toilets in China?

There are two types of toilet in China, the western style” throne” and the squat toilet. The squat toilet is basically a elongated hole in the floor, with footrests on each sides, and sometimes a splash guard at one end. The user squats down low. And I mean low, if you don't want to splash all over the place.

What countries use the most toilet paper?

China uses over 4 billion miles of toilet paper each year – more than any other country.

Why is there no deodorant in Korea?

What's with the lack of quality deodorant in Korea? Basically, most Koreans don't actually need deodorant. Several years ago, scientists discovered a gene that was dubbed “ABCC11”. The team who discovered the gene found that it was a key determinant in whether a person will produce dry or wet earwax.

Can I use Indian toilet during pregnancy?

Is It Safe to Use an Indian Toilet While Pregnant? Contrary to popular belief, using an Indian or squat toilet while one is pregnant is not just safe but also good for the mother and child. There are no known ill-effects of using the Indian toilet when pregnant.

Is Indian toilet best?

More hygienic:

There is no second thought to it, an Indian toilet is far more clean and germ free than the western restroom. The body doesn't touch the toilet seat therefore it remains hygienic and also reduces the chances of UTI i.e. Urinary Tract Infection, which is not the case with western seat.

What countries have no toilets?

Ethiopia ranks the worst worldwide with the highest percentage of its population living without toilets, followed by Chad and Madagascar. India remains the nation with the most people without toilets.

Does India have good hygiene?

India has a problem with toilets. It doesn't have enough of them. That means hundreds of millions of people in the country end up defecating outside, which can spread diseases including cholera, typhoid and COVID-19. Poor sanitation in India leads to over 126,000 deaths every year from diarrheal diseases.

How many houses in India do not have toilets?

Nearly half of India's 1.2 billion people have no toilet at home, but more people own a mobile phone, according to the latest census data. Only 46.9% of the 246.6 million households have lavatories while 49.8% defecate in the open. The remaining 3.2% use public toilets.

How dirty is Indian street food?

Meat from street stalls and markets is a big no-no in India. It's highly prone to bacteria and parasites that can lead to food poisoning and other severe illnesses. But not to worry, as India is a vegetarian utopia, home to the world's largest population of vegetarians.

Can Muslims use condoms?

Mohamud said the only way to prevent the viral infection was to observe religious teachings, abstain from 'illegal' sexual acts and avoid the use of condoms. "Our position is very clear: we shall never support the use of condoms; Muslims must shun acts that will endanger their lives.

Why do Muslims not like dogs?

Traditionally, dogs are considered haram, or forbidden, in Islam as they are thought of as dirty. But while conservatives advocate complete avoidance, moderates simply say Muslims should not touch the animal's mucous membranes — such as the nose or mouth — which are considered especially impure.