Water for Washing vs. Toilet Paper for Wiping
Written on Apr 16, 2026
Many toilet paper companies will go out-of-the-way to avoid using the term "toilet paper" on packaging, like it's something objectionable to the average person. The most common thing I see displayed is "bathroom tissue".
People have used toilet paper, in one form or another, for centuries to maintain personal hygiene. While its use isn't limited to the bathroom (lavatory, water closet, whatever), it's what most westerners associate with it.
Other than its most common use, toilet paper is also used in place of the tissue used for things like runny noses.
Water for Washing
My wife introduced me to using water for washing my bottom after we married in 1985. Despite that, I continued using toilet paper during my time in the United States. It wasn't until after I moved to the Philippines in 2006 that I started using water all the time.
A bidet shower was installed next to each toilet when our house was built. For me, that sprayer is much easier to use than a "tabo", the Tagalog word for a container used to hold the water for washing. I've heard Filipinos call it simply a bidet, but it's not the same thing.
It takes time to get used to using water, no matter how you use it. Unless you have a towel handy, your bottom will feel wet until the last drop of water has dried up. I'm used to that feeling of wetness. It's temporary, even if you're one of those people who won't wear underwear.
I feel cleaner when I use water than when I use toilet paper. It may just be a mental thing because no matter which method you use, you can't be sure you're completely clean when you're done. I haven't met a person who can verify their cleanliness without bathing.
Good Reasons to Avoid Toilet Paper
If you have hemorrhoids, you already know how difficult it is to use toilet paper. If you have any kind of condition affecting your anus, washing it with water is the least painful way to keep it clean.
Some toilets are now built with sprayers, kind of like a bidet. Of course, some people have a toilet and a bidet. Anyway, you can find different types of toilets at most home supply stores (like Home Depot or Lowe's Home Improvement).
Toilet paper costs a lot more than water, unless we're talking about bottled water. My Filipino relatives (who live in the Philippines) simply can't afford to behave like westerners when it comes to using the toilet. Even though I can afford it, I still wash myself.
If you must use toilet paper when doing your thing in the bathroom, be ready to bring your own. Especially when you're in unfamiliar territory because it isn't used everywhere. Even in western countries like the United States, you could find the toilet paper dispenser empty.
Image by SeppVei, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons