# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/41 "2010-08-19T02:30:42Z")
THREE Squares? What the hell am I supposed to do with three squares of TP? ---
**Author:** ![JpnDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@JpnDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JpnDude)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/42 "2010-08-19T02:45:10Z")
I feel lucky to be living in Japan, where most new homes and places of business have [Washlets](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilets_in_Japan). > [@](#): > > The feature set commonly found on washlets are **anus washing** , bidet washing, seat warming, and deodorization. ---
**Author:** ![Looey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ee7513/32.png) [@Looey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Looey)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/43 "2010-08-19T02:49:00Z")
I’ve always wondered how a bidet works myself. How hard is it to position oneself to get the water to spray in the right place? Wouldn’t you get the back of your shirt wet if you did it wrong? How hard does it spray? Once you’ve washed everything, aren’t you wet all over down south? Is one expected to use the hand to remove stubborn Klingons, and then your hand is all wet? How do you dry? I suppose you have to learn from experience to gain proficiency at the method like anything else. I would probably make a real mess of myself the first time out. I can see myself stepping out of a public restroom with water stains all over my clothes, maybe a wet handprint on my pants leg… I wonder if there would be soggy TP stuck to the bottom of my shoe? ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/44 "2010-08-19T02:51:00Z")
> [@JpnDude](#): > > I feel lucky to be living in Japan, where most new homes and places of business have [Washlets](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilets_in_Japan). > > > [@](#): > > > > The feature set commonly found on washlets are **anus washing** , bidet washing, seat warming, and deodorization. Now that’s enlightenment! ---
**Author:** ![Looey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ee7513/32.png) [@Looey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Looey)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/45 "2010-08-19T03:01:36Z")
Aren’t squat toilets difficult for many people to use? What if you are elderly, have a cast on your foot, are weak with the flu, have bad knees or hips or ankles, are drunk or have poor balance for another reason? What if you’ve got a bad case of the trots and your #2 is rather, um… splashy? ---
**Author:** ![KinkiNipponTourist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9bcb4/32.png) [@KinkiNipponTourist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KinkiNipponTourist)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/46 "2010-08-19T03:43:38Z")
> [@JpnDude](#): > > I feel lucky to be living in Japan, where most new homes and places of business have [Washlets](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilets_in_Japan). > > > [@](#): > > > > The feature set commonly found on washlets are **anus washing** , bidet washing, seat warming, and deodorization. ::high-fives JpnDude:: ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/47 "2010-08-19T04:16:34Z")
> [@nuggz](#): > > I was in Egypt twice, over a month, both times. **Homes and local (not tourist) resturants do not have tp. They have bidets either next to the toilet, or little hose things inside the toilet.** > > Typically, people **at home** use the bidet, and then wipe dry with a washcloth. Then (from my experience) they hang the cloth next to the toilet for future use. So let’s say you’re in a restaurant, you go to the toilet, take a shit, and spray yourself with the bidet. Now what? You’re sitting (standing?) there with your ass dripping water and… what’s the next step? That’s what I never understand about this. If you don’t have toiler paper, how do you then dry yourself? ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/48 "2010-08-19T05:10:08Z")
I don’t think the bidet sprays that much water. I think you could probably just air dry. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/49 "2010-08-19T05:25:52Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > You’ve got your pants, belt, and undies down around your ankles, and the hand-washing facilities are on the other side of a (probably poorly but nonetheless) locked door. And one of your hands is smeared with fecal matter. I’m sure you can get your drawers and pants back up one-handed. Maybe you’ll even get the pants fastened. If you can get your belt buckled, you’re golden. But it won’t be easy. Actually, when I was in a place like that used the hand method, there was a water faucet (hose? what hose) of questionable cleanliness and working order in the stall with you. Soap was nowhere to be seen (on either side of the “door”). Or in **Hampshire** ’s list of goals, #1 was totally foregone. #2 was questionable at best and goal #3 (if any fecal matter should get on hands, remove it) was not even in the picture. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/50 "2010-08-19T05:27:59Z")
I’m confused. I thought the OP was asking about whether using toilet paper was better than using just your hands. I thought ‘toilet paper is better; how can it not be?’ Then other people mentioned soap and water as additional. What, you mean some people would wipe their arse and then not wash their hands? In that case, toilet paper plus handwashing is better than hands-only plus handwashing, but handwiping plus handwashing is better than the former, because it gets the nasty stuff off your hands, where it might come into contact with your mouth and eyes. Then bidets came into it. Muh? Wha? You don’t use toilet paper or hands in bidets. I am nonplussed. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/51 "2010-08-19T08:05:19Z")
I assumed that they were saying that you would use the soap and water in addition to you hands while wiping–which is what led to the bidet conversations, as it is a tool designed to make that job easier. I would assume that toilet paper, then bidet with soap and built-in ass drier would be best. (Drier could also be soft towels, if chapping is a problem.) In fact, I’d assume it would all be one setup. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/52 "2010-08-19T12:47:03Z")
> [@Looey](#): > > Aren’t squat toilets difficult for many people to use? What if you are elderly, have a cast on your foot, are weak with the flu, have bad knees or hips or ankles, are drunk or have poor balance for another reason? What if you’ve got a bad case of the trots and your #2 is rather, um… splashy? Excellent points, and it made me think of this… Throughout this thread, there seems to be a presumption that there are only two choices:[ul][li]Sit on a toilet, and then clean with paper or wipes[/li][\*]Squat over a hole, and then clean with hand and water[/ul]I don’t agree with those who think hand-and-water to be better, but at least I understand them. What I don’t understand is what they have against sitting on a toilet. Why not sit on a toilet and then wash however you want? ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/53 "2010-08-19T14:17:45Z")
> [@Looey](#): > > I’ve always wondered how a bidet works myself. How hard is it to position oneself to get the water to spray in the right place? Wouldn’t you get the back of your shirt wet if you did it wrong? How hard does it spray? Once you’ve washed everything, aren’t you wet all over down south? Here’s basically how a bidet [works](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPsZ1bFRwMM). (video) ---
**Author:** ![SmartAlecCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SmartAlecCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAlecCat)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/54 "2010-08-19T16:10:57Z")
> [@Keeve](#): > > What I don’t understand is what they have against sitting on a toilet. Squatting has advantages related to internal/bowel anatomy. [http://www.relfe.com/toilet\_seat\_constipation.html](http://www.relfe.com/toilet_seat_constipation.html) ---
**Author:** ![SmartAlecCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SmartAlecCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAlecCat)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/55 "2010-08-19T16:19:53Z")
Another article that discusses squatting vs. western toilets: [Squatting for the Prevention of Haemorrhoids?](http://www.bmartin.cc/pubs/96tldp.html) ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/56 "2010-08-19T16:29:39Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > Yes, I wish pre-moistened, flushable TP was more common in the US. As **Anaamika** said, they’re readily available. You might have to go to the adult diaper section of the store to find the flushable ones, but even the dinky little Walgreens near my work has 'em. I wouldn’t mind trying a bidet. I’m sure I’d fail at the logistics the first few times, but it can’t be worse than TP. Especially after a night of red wine or beer. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/57 "2010-08-19T17:42:18Z")
> [@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, would you just wipe it up with a paper towel and cosider it clean? The bigger issue boils down to this - what’s worse to you - a slightly soiled asshole area, or getting shit on your hands and then cleaning it off ? I for one prefer to never have shit soil my hands in any way shape or form. ---
**Author:** ![gladtobeblazed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85f322/32.png) [@gladtobeblazed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gladtobeblazed)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/58 "2010-08-19T18:06:45Z")
> [@scifisam2009](#): > > Then bidets came into it. Muh? Wha? You don’t use toilet paper or hands in bidets. I really don’t think a simple stream of water would get me clean. I have rather, uh, _sticky_ feces from time to time. I have to scrub rather vigorously sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAlecCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SmartAlecCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAlecCat)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/59 "2010-08-19T18:06:46Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > I for one prefer to never have shit soil my hands in any way shape or form. Just a little hint… Don’t have kids.. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![\_Undecided\_Adrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/eada6e/32.png) [@\_Undecided\_Adrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Undecided_Adrian)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598/60 "2010-08-19T18:37:49Z")
This reminds about the instructions on how to clean yourself with just a single piece of toilet paper and no water. You fold the piece in half and tear a little half-circle out at the fold, creating a hole in the center. Keep the little piece! Then stick your middle finger through the hole and clean yourself, the paper will protect the rest of your hand from getting dirty. After you’ve finished, bunch the tissue around your finger while pulling it out (of the paper…) and thereby clean it. The little piece you’ve kept is for under your fingernail. Tadaa! 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-v-hand-is-the-latter-really-more-sanitary/550598.md?page=4)