Historically, the absence of bidets in the U.S. traces back to World War II. American soldiers encountered standalone bidets in European brothels. Returning home with puritanical values, they stigmatized the fixtures as immoral. Meanwhile, the U.S. toilet paper industry boomed, establishing a dominant cultural norm.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There's an integrated UV light in the lid that combines with a special glaze to help break down organic material. It automatically rinses the bowl with antibacterial electrolyzed water, and the results are an almost self-cleaning toilet.
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.
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.
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.
Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Portugal): The bidet remains a marker of refined hygiene and is a common feature in homes and hotels.
Plumbers often advise against using Charmin toilet paper because it is known for being particularly thick and plush, which can lead to clogs in plumbing systems.
First, let's figure out the numbers. Most people use the toilet about 5 times a day, but anything in the 4-10 range is deemed “normal”. And the average person is said to use nearly 7 sheets1 per wipe – approximately 6.41 sheets per toileting occasion for women, and 8.1 sheets per occasion for men.
Color: Healthy vulvar skin can vary from light pink to deep brown, depending on your natural skin tone. It's also normal for the inner labia to be slightly darker or to have some color variation, kind of like how the skin on your lips might differ from your face. Shape: Labia come in all shapes, sizes, and textures.
A smelly bidet is usually caused by trapped bacteria, clogged internal filters, or a poor seal with your plumbing.
Bidets do not inherently cause infections in women, but improper use can disrupt the natural vaginal microbiome and spread bacteria. Incorrect water pressure, poor cleansing direction, or using an unsanitary nozzle can increase the risk of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) or Bacterial Vaginosis (BV).
A bidet feels good primarily because it uses targeted water to provide a gentle, hands-free wash rather than aggressively rubbing dry paper against highly sensitive skin. This refreshing, soothing sensation transforms a routine task into a spa-like experience that relieves irritation and delivers superior cleanliness.
Simplicity in Burial
Islam encourages modesty and humility, even in death. That's why Islamic funerals typically avoid elaborate coffins or decorations. The deceased is washed (Ghusl), wrapped in a simple white shroud (Kafan), and buried as soon as possible—ideally within 24 hours.
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.
In Islam, sins are generally classified as either minor or major (Al-Kaba'ir). While Islam doesn't officially rank sins from 1 to 3, Prophet Muhammad identified the "seven destructive sins". The gravest of these, with Shirk being universally considered the absolute worst, are: