If you are out of toilet paper, the most accessible immediate solutions are using nearby paper alternatives (like tissues, paper towels, or napkins), hopping in the shower for a quick rinse, or dampening a washcloth. Do not flush anything except toilet paper to avoid expensive plumbing clogs.
Tissues, Napkins or Paper Towels:
They're soft and they have the same type of texture that toilet paper does. Alternatively, you might use paper towels or napkins, which are absorbent but probably a bit rougher.
For a zero-waste or emergency substitute, the best options include using water (like a bidet or peri bottle), reusable cloth wipes, or household paper products like tissues and paper towels. For outdoor emergencies, soft vegetation such as mullein leaves can be used.
The best alternatives to toilet paper range from reusable cloths and bidets to household paper products and natural foliage. Crucially, never flush anything other than actual toilet paper and human waste, as items like paper towels and baby wipes will severely damage your plumbing.
Realistic solutions for running out of toilet paper
Most people wipe after using the toilet by reaching behind their back or between their legs to clean from front to back using dry toilet paper. This method is crucial to prevent the spread of bacteria from the anus to the urethra. While many sit to wipe, some stand up, and others utilize bidets, especially outside of North America.
Muslims use water instead of, or in addition to, toilet paper to clean themselves after using the restroom. This practice, called Istinja, is rooted in Islamic hygiene and purity laws.
Many traditional Amish communities consider manufactured toilet paper an unnecessary luxury and use resource-saving alternatives instead. In outhouses, families often repurpose old newspapers, magazine pages, or catalogs (like the Sears and Roebuck catalog). To make the paper soft enough to use, they crumple it vigorously multiple times.
The cleanest and most common way to clean yourself without toilet paper is by using water. This can be accomplished with a bidet, a specialized spray bottle (such as a peri bottle), or simply by hopping in the shower and directing the spray onto your body.
A "ghost wipe" is a colloquial term for a bowel movement that requires only one wipe to confirm that no residue remains on the toilet paper. It indicates excellent digestive health and a perfectly formed stool.
The most advanced washlets can mix the water jet with soap for an improved cleaning process. The washlet can replace toilet paper completely, but many users opt to use both wash and paper in combination—although use of paper may be omitted for cleaning of the vulva.
Toilet paper alternatives – the washing options
Using a wet sponge on a stick – apparently the Romans used to do this (and they use to share them – soaking them in salt water between uses). Get in the shower – good option, but water intensive. The water pistol/ spray bottle method (I think this one is a winner!)
Around 70% of the world doesn't rely on toilet paper in the way we do, turning to water before tissue.
If you are trapped on the toilet right now, do not panic. The easiest fix is to hop in the shower if you are at home. If you are in a public stall, look around for alternatives or call out for help before making your next move.
Yes, roughly 70% of the global population does not use toilet paper as their primary method of bathroom hygiene. Instead, the majority of people worldwide rely on water-based cleaning methods, which are considered more hygienic, sustainable, and culturally appropriate.
Reusable cloth wipes (cut-up T-shirts, old towels, or baby flannels) Newspaper, junk mail, or phone book pages (crumpled and tossed, not flushed) Coffee filters or napkins (soft and surprisingly effective) Water rinse (with a bidet or squirt bottle)
Good anal hygiene
Gently wash and dry your anus after pooing and before going to bed. Use wet toilet paper or a wet washcloth. Use plain water only, or an unscented soap. Wear cotton underwear that isn't tight.
The best toilet paper alternatives are bidets for the ultimate hygienic clean, reusable cloth wipes for zero-waste households, or tree-free paper products (like bamboo and recycled paper).
Leaves and Grass: This was the most common solution globally. Large, soft leaves from plants like mullein (often called "cowboy toilet paper") were especially prized.
While individuals are born with LGBTQ identities within Amish communities, they cannot actively remain Amish while living openly. The culture does not allow for queer inclusion, and strict adherence to traditional gender roles means open LGBTQ members are typically excommunicated and shunned.
Yes, an estimated 70% of the world does not use dry toilet paper to wipe. Instead, many cultures across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Europe prioritize washing with water.
Saying "OMG" (Oh my God) is generally not considered haram (forbidden) in Islam, as it is simply an expression of astonishment or a translation of calling upon the Creator. However, there are nuances to consider regarding how and when you use it:
Religions like Islam and Hinduism do not traditionally use toilet paper as a primary means of cleansing. Instead, their scriptures and cultural traditions mandate washing with water for maximum hygiene and ritual purity.
Yes, it is completely permissible and highly encouraged for a husband and wife to shower together in Islam. There are no restrictions on spouses seeing or touching each other's naked bodies, and doing so is considered an act of love and affection.