Alternatives to toilet paper are widely used in many nations. Bathrooms in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and India, for example, typically include a wide plastic dipper. There’s even a Japanese-made toilet with a scrubbing seat that may be used instead of a bidet.
1. The plumbing isn’t designed to handle paper.
Water management systems in many Asian countries are not as good as they are in the West. Flushing toilet paper is not suggested due to the potential for hygiene issues. As a result, instead of paper, people there choose to use water bowls, bidets, or bidet showers. Pay attention to if there is a bin to ensure that you can flush paper in the toilet. The bin is frequently used to collect toilet paper.
2. It can cause irritation.
Too rough toilet tissue might irritate the area, especially if you have haemorrhoids or fissures. Instead, use water, which is more gentler and may help reduce pressure in the perianal area.
3. It has the potential to cause urinary infections.
Bacteria might spread due to poor wiping practises with toilet paper. Furthermore, wiping back to front may increase the chance of bacteria entering the urethra in women. It is possible to avoid these problems by employing alternatives such as a bidet or a wet wipe.
4. It has cultural meaning.
Washing after every faeces is part of Islamic toilet etiquette in Muslim countries. In India, the same rule is embedded into the culture.
5. It isn’t clean enough.
Water is said to be more sanitary than tissue paper. Toilet paper doesn’t always get rid of faeces completely, and wiping isn’t always enough.
6. It is harmful to the ecosystem.
According to estimates, 36.5 billion rolls of toilet paper are used in the United States each year, resulting in the pulping of 15 million trees. Water, bleach, energy, and packaging materials are also required in large quantities. Using other methods, such as a bidet, is significantly more environmentally beneficial, according to experts.
Do you believe that washing your hands is preferable to using toilet paper? In your country, what is more common?
