People use toilet paper primarily for hygiene after using the toilet. It serves as a convenient and readily available method to clean the anus after defecation or dry the external urethral orifice after urination, protecting the hands from direct contact with fecal matter.
The Role of Toilet Paper in Hygiene
- Cleaning: Toilet paper's main function is to remove waste residue from the anal and/or genital areas.
- Protection: It acts as a barrier, preventing direct hand contact with potentially harmful substances.
- Convenience: It is easily accessible and disposable, unlike other cleaning methods requiring water and potentially more complex infrastructure.
The widespread adoption of toilet paper, especially in Western countries, is a matter of cultural and infrastructural factors. While many cultures have historically preferred water-based cleaning methods (such as bidets or handheld showers), toilet paper offers a simpler, readily available alternative, particularly in areas lacking readily accessible plumbing.
Several sources highlight the convenience and disposability of toilet paper:
- "Toilet paper is a long rolled perforated sheet of dissolvable paper product used to clean the anus after defecating or to dry the external urethral orifice after urination. Its key role is to shield your hand from direct manual contact with fecal matter (urine is typically sterile)." This emphasizes its hygiene-focused purpose.
The fact that toilet paper use is prevalent in many Western countries doesn't preclude other practices. For example, the use of wet wipes or water along with toilet paper can enhance hygiene in situations where people prefer extra cleaning. Moreover, even in cultures where water is the primary cleaning method, toilet paper often plays a supporting role in drying.
"The pressure of the water cleans the hole and its surroundings and then you dry it all with toilet paper. We don't use towels for that reason." This highlights the combined use of water and toilet paper for complete cleansing. The convenience of toilet paper for drying after water-based cleaning is emphasized.
However, there are discussions surrounding alternatives, such as bidets, which offer a potentially more hygienic and eco-friendly approach to toilet cleaning. The relative lack of adoption of bidets in many Western countries is attributed to factors such as cost, space requirements, and a lack of familiarity.
"As Bidet's never gained any traction in usage very few people think of them or use them. Plus the additional space required in most restrooms…" This explains the limited adoption of bidets, a cleaner alternative that is not widely accepted in the West.
In summary, people use toilet paper for its convenience, disposability, and role in maintaining hygiene after using the toilet. While alternatives exist, and the choice of method is often culturally influenced, toilet paper remains a widely accepted and commonly used hygiene product globally.
