# Toilet paper v hand: is the latter really more sanitary? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 18, 2010, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598 "2010-08-18T03:06:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/1 "2010-08-18T03:06:22Z")
Back in the college days, I took a few classes on the Middle East. Invariably, when somebody would do a report on the culture, they would mention that there was little/no toilet paper, so the locals would use their hands, fingers, etc…and wash their hands, or something like that. Equally ubiquitous, was the disclaimer “oh, but that way is more sanitary.” So, I have my doubts that the non-tp way is more sanitary. Having tried to clean some of the ol’ number two off of my shoes, at one time or another, I must say that the non-tp way is the way of ruin. Question: Have there been any studies to confirm or deny the hygienic superiority of either way? Thanks, hh ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/2 "2010-08-18T09:23:09Z")
It’s not just using one’s hands. It’s using hands, water, and soap. At least that’s the way it was where I visited in the Middle East (Abu Dhabi and Dubai). If you compare toilet paper to that, then of course the hand + water + soap method is better. A lot of my friends make fun of me for not using toilet paper but it’s okay; I use what the Koreans call 물티슈 (mul-tissue/wet wipes) because they really are better than just plain TP. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/3 "2010-08-18T12:51:34Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > I use what the Koreans call 물티슈 (mul-tissue/wet wipes) because they really are better than just plain TP. Ditto. There are times (like when I’m away from home and didn’t bring any wipes along) that I can wipe with a dozen pieces of toilet paper and still can’t get everything off, whereas just 2 or 3 baby wipes would have cleaned the whole mess. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisBooth12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@ChrisBooth12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisBooth12)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/4 "2010-08-18T17:15:47Z")
> [@Keeve](#): > > > [@Monty](#): > > > > I use what the Koreans call 물티슈 (mul-tissue/wet wipes) because they really are better than just plain TP. > > Ditto. There are times (like when I’m away from home and didn’t bring any wipes along) that I can wipe with a dozen pieces of toilet paper and still can’t get everything off, whereas just 2 or 3 baby wipes would have cleaned the whole mess. Try wetting the wad in the sink ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/5 "2010-08-18T17:17:23Z")
Yes, I wish pre-moistened, flushable TP was more common in the US. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/6 "2010-08-18T17:30:15Z")
Hand water plus soap and they hand is soaped after cleaning. Or my personal favs, > **[Petites annonces France Vivastreet France](https://search.vivastreet.com/annonces/fr?lb=new&search=1&start_field=1&keywords=media01-ak&redirect_from_subdomain=media01-ak)** > > Petites annonces France avec VIVASTREET France le N°1 de l'Annonce ►►► 2.500.000 ANNONCES ◄◄◄ en France. Immobilier France, Auto/Moto France, Rencontre France etc... Yes toilet paper is waaaaaaaayyyy down the list. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/7 "2010-08-18T17:32:59Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > Yes, I wish pre-moistened, flushable TP was more common in the US. They have it, in the grocery store, they’re like little wipes. It’s not as cheap as TP though.. ---
**Author:** ![rayman5321](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@rayman5321](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayman5321)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/8 "2010-08-18T17:54:53Z")
I’ve been to Eastern Europe numerous times to visit friends. Their TP is like the paper towel I used to dry my hands in the 50s and 60s. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/9 "2010-08-18T18:04:03Z")
> [@ChrisBooth12](#): > > Try wetting the wad in the sink This works well, but you can’t do it with cheap TP – cheap stuff turns to much instantly. Gotta have Cottonelle or something similarly sturdy 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/10 "2010-08-18T19:46:06Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > It’s not just using one’s hands. It’s using hands, water, and soap. Exactly. It was explained to me with an excellent analogy - if you spilled peanut butter on a shag-pile carpet, would you just wipe it up with a paper towel and cosider it clean? ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/11 "2010-08-18T19:50:53Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > > [@Monty](#): > > > > It’s not just using one’s hands. It’s using hands, water, and soap. > > Exactly. It was explained to me with an excellent analogy - if you spilled peanut butter on **a shag-pile carpet** … Not many folks are quite that hirsute, I hope 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/12 "2010-08-18T19:52:23Z")
“What’s that under your fingernails?” “Oh, just some shit.” “Ewwww.” “No, it’s okay. It’s the hand-soap-water method. Much more sanitary.” “You sure about that?” ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/13 "2010-08-18T19:57:45Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > “What’s that under your fingernails?” > “Oh, just some shit.” > “Ewwww.” > “No, it’s okay. It’s the hand-soap-water method. Much more sanitary.” > “You sure about that?” … this is the crux of it for a lot of Westerners, I’d bet. Anyone that’s ever had unfortunate “manual encounters” with dirty diapers or pet accidents knows that soap and water (as we know it) straight up does not clean off poop if applied as during a normal handwashing. Not thoroughly, anyway. You can clean your hands longer, use scalding water, really go nuts with the soap … I dunno. Maybe in those case – yes, Ivory soap and agua are enough. I’ve resorted to rubbing alcohol and multiple washings at home, myself. Overkill for my health, I’m sure. But it knocks “grossness” the F out. And yes, I realize the left hand is considered unclean in many cultures. Small wonder. ---
**Author:** ![Drygon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@Drygon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drygon)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/14 "2010-08-18T20:00:32Z")
The question is silly. The most sanitary is the [Three Shells Method](http://www.poopreport.com/Images/3shells.jpg), of course. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/15 "2010-08-18T20:09:02Z")
I’d think in the ass-wiping heirarchy of goals at the top would be “#1-keep fecal matter from making contact with hand”. Just below that would be “#2-remove fecal matter from ass completely.” Even though the straight up western TP method may come up short at #2 it sure as hell makes good on goal #1. The hand-soap-water method seems to forego goal #1 in order to make good on goal #2. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/16 "2010-08-18T20:16:03Z")
I’m an American. Where the whole idea breaks down for me is in the whole disrobing aspect. I can totally get how it’s cleaner: water, soap, sure, it’s like a mini-bath. Wait, what? Where are the clothes in the whole equation? My concept of how this works is that I’d need to take off my pants and undies entirely, maybe even my shirt (in case it’s a longer tunic or whatever). Do my bidness. Then wash (is there enough water? ISTR there only being a pitcher or somesuch. How does the soap come into it then? Do you ration it out so you have enough for wash and rinse?). Then dry (is there a towel somewhere? See, these are the things I don’t know!). Then get redressed. Not a problem, but it seems like it just takes way longer than my current “get clothes out of the way (but not off totally), poop, wipe, flush, done” routine. I’m certain it doesn’t actually work this way. And I think \*\*Anamika \*\*- or someone - has described the process here before. But I still don’t have the first clue as to how it all works. That’s my cultural blinders on, I guess - I’m so used to my own culture’s routine that in this matter at least I can’t even imagine how the process works. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/17 "2010-08-18T20:17:49Z")
It helps that I’m also not a particularly hairy woman near the poop-chute, too. The “peanut butter smeared into shag carpet” imagery, while colorful and (possibly) apt, doesn’t really appply to me. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/18 "2010-08-18T20:22:56Z")
And also the positioning of the whole thing. Again with the cultural blinders: I’m so used to an American-style toilet being there that I can’t envision pooping in a squat-type toilet. I’ve peed in one, no problem (France) - apparently I waited to get back to the hotel for any pooping that needed to be done. So I’m squatting, and I’m cleaning… and Imma 'bout to fall over! See, I just don’t have the thigh muscles to manage the thing. I just can’t imagine the mechanics of the whole deal. Sigh. Someone probably needs to 'splain to me again. I’m just not getting it. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/19 "2010-08-18T20:25:57Z")
I think the most sanitary is the TP - soap - water method. Hand - soap - water makes me cringe at the state of the sink! ! ! Blech! ---
**Author:** ![bardos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bardos/32/1069_2.png) [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/20 "2010-08-18T20:33:04Z")
bidets, hello [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598.md?page=2)