Bidets aren't widely used in places like the U.S. largely due to historical coincidence and cultural taboos. Early American plumbing was designed without extra fixtures, while the massive, early marketing of toilet paper made dry wiping the ingrained norm. Additionally, the thought of spraying water feels intimidating or strange to those who didn't grow up using them.
Doctors say bidets can support comfort and hygiene, but only if used properly. Learning to use a bidet properly helps prevent irritation, infection, and overuse.
Bidet Etiquette in Europe
Remember, after using it, you should dry yourself with the dedicated small towel provided or toilet paper before leaving the bathroom. France: While not as ubiquitous as in Italy, bidets in France are often considered a sign of a well-appointed home.
Around 70% of the world doesn't rely on toilet paper in the way we do, turning to water before tissue.
With a bidet, you'll get clean with just a few button presses – no wiping, reaching or mess involved. In fact, many doctors and patients recommend adding a bidet to your surgery recovery toolkit.
The Don'ts
Surgeons often advise against using a recliner after hip replacement because the soft padding and low design cause you to sink in. This makes it difficult to stand up safely without bending your hip past 90 degrees or twisting your leg, which violates critical hip precautions and risks dislocation.
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 Old Order Amish communities view store-bought toilet paper as an unnecessary indulgence or luxury. Instead, they rely on readily available, sustainable alternatives like crumpled-up old newspapers, mail-order catalogs, corn cobs, and cloth rags, though more progressive groups now commonly use conventional toilet paper.
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.
Wiping your butt correctly helps avoid infections and irritation. Use soft toilet paper and a gentle technique. Wiping from front to back prevents health complications like urinary tract infection and skin irritation, and avoids aggravating any existing rectal issues, like hemorrhoids or anal fissures.
To use a bidet as a woman, sit normally on the toilet, facing the wall. If using a standalone bidet, you can straddle it facing the controls. Lean slightly forward to center your body, select the gentle "feminine" or front-wash setting, and use toilet paper or a bidet towel to pat dry.
Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Portugal): The bidet remains a marker of refined hygiene and is a common feature in homes and hotels.
Many people find bidets gross due to the mental image of water causing unsanitary splashing, the fear of unclean shared nozzles, or the perceived awkwardness of air-drying or manually drying off afterward.
Gynecologists recommend white, unbleached, unscented, and dye-free toilet paper. Scented or ultra-soft varieties often contain lotions, chlorine bleach, or artificial fragrances that can disrupt your natural pH and cause allergic reactions or chronic irritation in sensitive intimate areas.
Because of the importance of bathroom hygiene and proper cleaning of soiled areas after bowel movement, the demand for bidets has increased. However, inappropriate use of bidets can damage the colonic mucosa. Here, we report a case of rectal mucosal damage due to inappropriate bowel cleansing habits using a bidet.
Yes, modern kings wipe their own bottoms. Today's royals manage their own personal hygiene like everyone else.
The "poop rule" usually refers to a viral home-organization and decluttering hack, though it can also describe medical guidelines for digestive health.
Muslims practice Istinja, the Islamic rule for washing private parts after defecation. Instead of dry wiping, the tradition requires washing with water to ensure absolute purity.
Amish wedding nights prioritize community, tradition, and practicality over the modern idea of a private honeymoon. On their wedding night, the bride and groom typically return to the bride’s parents' home, where the newlyweds must wake up early the next morning to help clean the house after the large celebration.
Amish men generally do not use condoms. Because the Amish view having children as a blessing from God, the use of artificial contraception is typically forbidden by their religious doctrine.
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.
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:
New York has the highest raw number of Muslims in the US, home to an estimated 724,475 Muslim residents. California follows closely with over 500,000.