AIBU to think that actually toilet paper is really unhygienic

[keepitclean1980]

I was doing the washing up and a thought came to me. Don't you think toilet paper is actually really unhygienic?

If you happened to put your finger in a random turd, what would you do? Wipe it with a tissue and call it a day? Or scrub it with soap and water followed by a smell test?

When you think about it, it is insane that we just use toilet paper on our bums. Or do other people give it a little more pampering and I just didn't realise?

@MrDarcysMa

Yes I buy biodegradable wipes for this reason, although I'm very 'regular' before my morning shower so that works well most days.

As long as you chuck them in the bin and not down the lav...

@Doglove

Wet wipes! Loo roll isn’t enough, need to be thoroughly clean 🙈

Again, as long as you're throwing them in the bin and not down the pan.

Amazing how many people think they can be flushed.

If you happened to put your finger in a random turd, what would you do?

But yes, I thoroughly concur!

@Eckhart

I imagine you touch a lot more things with your fingers than with your arse, though, OP. Unless you have quite an unusual lifestyle?

It's also very tucked in, isn't it, compared to other animals. They have tails but we have full on cheeks. Hiding a multitude of sins, perhaps, for some. Paper is enough, but yes, I see what you mean; given that we're meant to disinfect everything TO DEATH these days, it seems a bit remiss.

I love the little bum shower attachments you get attached to loos in many parts of the world. They leave you so much fresher than loo roll. I’ve never used soap with them though. Just relied on water pressure to leave me clean!

The Japanese loos are good too but the warm water and air feels a bit creepy. I’d rather have a refreshing blast of cold water and then dry off with some loo roll or a towel.

I have cotton wipes in Lavender oil beside the toilet and another container of water and tea tree oil. After using toilet paper, I clean with a damp cotton wipes and put it in the tea tree container after. I rinse these weekly and then Chuck in my white wash. Basically washable wet wipes. Bought from Cheeky Wipes.

OP, as an alternative to a bidet, you could try Izal toilet paper. It's still available on Amazon and is very hygienic, since it is medicated, takes two hours to absorb liquid, and has low porosity too.

Just your normal Friday evening chat topic, then..

We need the Viz Bottom Inspectors!

viz.co.uk/2014/10/09/come-look-bottoms/

Did we not just use a leaf back in the day? Surely loo roll is a massive upgrade on that unless your bedroom activities are venturing that way frequently

It's convenient.

Plus I'm not sure washing your asshole in the sink would go down well with other rest room users.

my muslim landlord used a watering can

i would like a bidet

I always shower after. I do normally time it for before my morning shower but otherwise I just use the detachable shower head to sort myself out. I'd ideally like a bidet.
Prone to UTIs and this seems to help.

@theconstantinoplegardener

OP, as an alternative to a bidet, you could try Izal toilet paper. It's still available on Amazon and is very hygienic, since it is medicated, takes two hours to absorb liquid, and has low porosity too.

Nooooooo!

Anyway, that threw up an interesting read! (Honest!)
wellcomecollection.org/articles/XOsAeBEAAEMRUqpd

Oddly enough I was having this exact conversation with my DC the other day - he said 'if you had poo on your hands you'd wash with soap and water, not just wipe it off, so why is your bum different?'

It's a valid point!

I don’t understand how toilet paper can be medicated!

Another with the jug next to loo situation. Water first, toilet paper then is largely for drying.

Want to install a sprayer thing (no room for a bidet) but plumber says that to do it according to regs is complicated. Sigh.

[quote GeorgiaMcGraw]@brawsome. Pour the water gently between the legs at the front, while sitting on the loo. It will pour down, via the back end. You may have to lean back a bit. Hard to explain, but it works. Same way water rolls annoyingly along your arms when you wash a dish and lift it up a bit.[/quote]
Thank you! Will try that tomorrow. 👍

@theconstantinoplegardener

OP, as an alternative to a bidet, you could try Izal toilet paper. It's still available on Amazon and is very hygienic, since it is medicated, takes two hours to absorb liquid, and has low porosity too.

This takes me back to my childhood. We had Bronco. It came on a roll. Izal occasionally, it came in a cardboard box and was in sheets. Like a box of tissues.

I think the English are unique in their poor hygiene standards. The rest of the world (or most parts of thereof) tend to have bidets (Spain, Italy etc) or toilet showers (Middle East) or in-toilet bidets (Far East). Some sort of arrangement for not just leaving dry toilet paper poo crumbs around your anus.
A small jug or bottle by the loo filled with water poured down your front does reach your back passage too and then toilet paper can clean and dry the area properly.

@ILoveYourLittleHat that is an interesting link! Soft toilet paper a health risk because people couldn’t be relied upon to wash their hands...

I have a bum shower head next to the loo. I love it. And I always have a clean bum.

In public loos I always try and go in the loos with a sink, where I can. Then I wet the loo roll. It makes a massive difference and then you don't need wipes which aren't great for toilet plumbing.
Having a good diet also helps... lots of fibre means less mess

Unless you have a bidet I don't see what else you can do except wipe with toilet paper. Unscented soluble wet wipes are better than just toilet paper.

I have never nipped to anyone's loo and noticed a jug beside it.
I'll be looking next time

I think if you throw economy to the wind (sic) and stick (sic interum) to the old adage 'One side good, Both sides bad' you will be OK.

Using just paper is gross, it you had poo on any other part of your body you would clean it with soap and water, your bum shouldn’t be any different. Why would anyone be comfortable walking around knowing they’re dirty?