Even Uruguay, which uses the fewest toilet rolls in our study, gets through enough each year to reach to the moon and back 21 times over. Scroll down our visualisation below to see how far into space each country's annual TP usage goes.
France, Portugal, Italy and Japan.
Instead of toilet paper, people from these countries usually have bidets in their bathrooms. A bidet looks like a toilet but also has a spout that sprays water like a fountain to thoroughly cleanse you.
But we're the odd ones out with this infatuation: 70% of the world's population doesn't even wipe with toilet paper. (Many of them use bidet showers, more amusingly known as “bum guns.”) And for much of history, “two-ply” wasn't even a thing.
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. Some wipe before washing, some wash before wiping, some wash only, and some wipe only—each according to their preference.
Travelers often worry about the availability and usage of toilet paper in Chinese toilets. In many public restrooms, private homes, restaurants, and hotels, toilet paper is provided, but it is common practice to throw it into a waste basket instead of the toilet to prevent plumbing issues.
When using the washroom in a private home, minshuku or ryokan, you will often find toilet slippers for exclusive use inside the washroom. Leave your usual slippers outside the washroom, and do not forget to change back into them afterwards, to avoid an often committed cultural faux pas.
Some countries, such as Greece and Turkey, have very frail plumbing. If you see a wastebasket near the toilet with used toilet paper in it, that's a sign that the sewer system isn't up to snuff. Put your used TP in the wastebasket instead of flushing it.
GENTLE READER: Unless you are on a train and stopped at a station, Miss Manners can think of no reason why flushing should be suspended. The shock of any late-night noise will surely be far less offensive than that of waking up to refuse that has been lingering overnight.
Nearly all women (90%) say they always wipe with toilet paper after peeing, while just 22% of men say they do. Women (91%) are also somewhat more likely than men (81%) to say they always wipe with toilet paper after pooping.
Bidets, recycled paper, bamboo, sugarcane and other alternative pulp sources offer more environmentally friendly options.
Native Americans used twigs, dry grass, small stones, and even oyster or clam shells.
Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan and other countries will use a small shower for rinsing off after you do your business. Most of these cultures believe that you can get your bum cleaner with water than you can with toilet paper which is why they chose that option.
Eating any food while on the toilet is forbidden. After defecating, the anus must be washed with water using the left hand, or an odd number of smooth stones or pebbles called jamrah or hijaarah (Sahih Al-Bukhari 161, Book 4, Hadith 27). Many jurists agree that toilet paper suffices in place of these stones.
The average volume per person in the Toilet Paper market is projected to be 8.3kg units in 2025. The demand for toilet paper in Russia has significantly increased due to a growing population and changing consumer habits.
China is the world's largest consumer of paper and paperboard by far, consuming approximately 137 million metric tons worth in 2023.
Roughly 99% of toilet paper Americans use is made in the United States. Kimberly-Clark, Proctor & Gamble and Georgia-Pacific make a majority of the toilet paper in the United States. A Kimberly-Clark paper mill in nearby Chester, Pennsylvania, produced 60% of the entire Scott 1000 type of Scott toilet paper in 2022.
Bidets are gentler on sensitive skin.
Aggressive or frequent wiping can lead to skin irritation and small cuts. Additionally, toilet paper use on hemorrhoids can cause further irritation. Water cleans more thoroughly and gently.
Sponges. During the Greco-Roman period, the Ancient Romans came up with a communal sponge on a stick. In between uses, it sat in a bucket of salt water or vinegar [*][*]. It appears to be history's first attempt at a “wet” wipe, and it was strictly for those who could afford such a luxury.
Due to the narrow pipes, you may end up with a clogged or overflowing toilet – unpleasant and embarrassing, to say the least. You will find there are bins to the side of the toilet where you can dispose of your tissue instead.
The reason behind the mystery of missing toilet seats: squatters. Toilet squatters, specifically. The toilet seats break over time after people stand on the seat to avoid the mess potentially on its surface. Much like the Colosseum, only part of the original structure still stands.
Under your shoes, it is polite to wear socks or stockings instead of bare feet. It is a good idea to bring a clean pair of socks for indoor purposes in your bag if you are bare feet. Socks should be clean and free of holes!
Don't use the bidet as a toilet: It's designed for post-toilet cleaning, not for the disposal of waste. Avoid using too much toilet paper: It can lead to plumbing issues, especially in areas with sensitive systems. Watch the water pressure: Start low to avoid splashing or discomfort.
Stool is used to sit down and wash your body. Then, you would use the bucket of water from the tub to clean your self. Also when shower head is placed lower, then you can wash your hair while you are sitting down. very Japanese way!