Even if you’ve been Turkey before, don’t expect to always find the same kind of Turkish toilet everywhere. If you travel a lot, you should expect different toilet types for each country you visit; Some countries do not have bidets at all, while in the Middle East and some countries in Europe, Latin America, Western Asia and China, you will most likely find bidet in front of you.
Most travelers to India, Turkey and some regions of the Arab world find themselves confused when they enter the squatting toilet (also called the Arab, municipal or Indian toilet), which is completely different from the types of ordinary toilets common in modern times.
This confusion and bewilderment are multiplied to an all-time high when the traveler can’t find toilet paper or hand soap. Avoid these hassles and learn how to use a municipal toilet before trying it for the first time.
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How to use squat toilet
Preparing before use
Look for water in the bathroom. Do not use toilet paper in a squat toilet and use water to rinse the areas of the body soiled with excrement. All you have to do is use a hose or bucket of water. Some guests use the existing water and then refill the bucket.
- The toilet should have either a hose or a bucket of water with a bowl or mug, and if it doesn’t have any water, find another
Look for soap. We can say that hygiene matters are not ideal in India even at their best. Indians use their left hand to rinse and clean up the droppings, so if you’re going to use your hand to clean up, choose a toilet with hand soap to use after you’re done.
- Always have wet wipes, soap or sanitizer with you for such conditions. This reduces the need to find a replacement toilet when needed
Sprinkle a little water on the toilet. Sprinkling a little water on the toilet floor will keep your shoes from sticking to it and make it easier for you to clean up the waste later, although this is optional.
- Mist the mug or bowl out of the bucket, or use the hose to spray the water. Use enough to wet the toilet floor while not making it slippery. Save some water to use for yourself after you’re done
Find a place to hang your pants. Beginners will certainly need to undress their lower half when using this type of toilet, so in some toilets you will find clothes hangers. In others, you will find piping or protrusions that allow you to protect your clothes or valuables from damage
using the toilet
Take off your pants. Taking your pants off completely will keep you from getting them wet or soiled with dirt, which is the safest method. Some toilets offer hangers or other places where you can hang your clothes. If you don’t have anything like the ones above to hang your clothes on, try finding a new way to wrap your pants around a pipe or something else.
- You can use the municipal toilet without even completely undressing your bottom half. Pull them to your knees and don’t forget to fold your pants at your feet so they don’t get wet from the floor.
- You can pull your skirt up to the right hand if you’re wearing one
Sit on the toilet properly. The municipal toilet (or Indian, as we said) comes in a U-shape with a hole in the back. The correct position to sit on is thus similar to the position you would use in a regular western bath, in which your back is against the wall. Now adjust your back body part to center just above the hole
Secure your feet. On both sides of the bathroom you will probably find foot pads. Place your feet on each platform on both sides while standing, keeping the opening behind you. If there are no foot pads, place your feet on either side of the bathroom, about shoulder width apart
Lean over the toilet opening. You can handle this toilet just like you would treat a normal western toilet but that’s without the seats. Now bend your knees and lower your balance using your shoulders until you are about to sit down to position yourself comfortably on the opening.
- You can get comfortable with your thighs together and your hands on your knees
Carry out your desired task. It will be helpful and facilitating for you to go down as low as you can. Position your buttocks so that you are exactly above the opening as much as you can to avoid getting dirty in any way
Flush the areas with whatever water you have available. You will need about a liter of water for this. Use the hose to rinse yourself or the mug in the bucket of water. Sprinkle water on the dirty areas with your right hand.
- People in India use their left hand for this and also in the Arab world. Use your left hand to reach between your legs while your right hand is scattering the water. Bottom your left hand to scoop up more spilled water to clean yourself with.
- Ladies should be careful not to wipe the private area in the direction of their genitals. It is better for both sexes to use the middle of the left hand in quick movements while pouring water from the back towards the anus, rather than pouring water up to the organs. The quick middle movement with the water will help you clean any attached dirt, and your left hand will be kept clean due to the constant flow of water over it. This process is much cleaner than simply using toilet paper to wipe the dirt around the anus
Throw the toilet paper into the waste container. Don’t throw toilet paper into the slot, whether it was in the toilet itself or you brought it with you. Drain pipes are not designed to drain toilet paper, and if you do, you will clog the drain pipes. Some toilets have a trash can that you can throw toilet paper into.
- If you don’t have a waste container in the toilet, you can keep toilet paper after you use it in your bag until you find a suitable place to throw it in. Bring a bag for this purpose with you
Clean the toilet. If the toilet has a drain tank, all you have to do is pull the side handle or even the hanging chain to drain it as well in some other toilets. Use a water hose or a mug in a bucket and run the water on the floor of the Turkish toilet to clean it of any waste.
drying out. For this purpose, use any towels or tissues that you have available, and do not throw them in the toilet opening, so as not to clog the drain pipe, and throw them in the waste container.
- Bringing toilet paper or tissues with you in a bag that is designed to store them even after you use them will help you to drain them in the appropriate places afterwards
Wash your hands with soap and water. Soap is available in some of these toilets. Pour it on your hands with water. If you’re not sure it’s there before you go in, find a little soap before you leave the toilet. In this case, it’s no trick, but do your best
How to use Turkish toilet with bidet
There are two common types of bidets: The bidet can be located separately from the toilet in a separate basin next to the toilet itself, or it can be built into the toilet. The built-in bidet is very common in the Arab countries, but it is also possible to find yourself in a bathroom that has a separate bidet.
The bidet is used for washing after you have finished using the toilet. Your first interaction with the separate bidet, in particular, may be a little difficult and tedious until you get used to it, but in the end, it’s an easy and unique way to wash and maintain good hygiene.
Sitting on the bidet
Use the toilet first. The bidet helps you wash after you finish using the Turkish toilet. You can use it in conjunction with toilet paper, or just rinse it out. For the Arab world, many are surprised that wipes are used alone and are always comfortable with the presence of a bidet which is a hygienic option and the water flow helps them achieve higher levels of hygiene.
Ensure that the rinser is present. The shower head is sometimes located separately in the form of a small, low basin attached to the wall and containing a water tap; Usually next to the toilet. You may also find that the bidet is integrated into the toilet seat, which is the smartest option that saves you from getting up and sitting again on another sink.
- There are two types of bidets: the stand-alone bidet, which is found in Europe, and the integrated toilet seat bidder which is either placed inside the Turkish toilet body itself or is a stand-alone device that is installed behind or on the side of the toilet rim. Toilet bidets are popular in Turkey, Arab and Asian countries.
- Separated bidet: These bidets are a separate basin that is usually installed next to the toilet. Sometimes, you may find it in different places in the bathroom, depending on the routine and routine where you are. You will always need to finish using the toilet first, then stand up and move to a bidet, the French name for a separate bidet. This type is the archetype of the first bidets design in the 18th century in Europe.
- Built-in bidets: Many bathrooms do not have enough space to accommodate another separate toilet-size sink, while a toilet with a built-in bidet or “add-on” installation to an existing toilet can be relied upon. This option is smarter and more convenient for the user, as you don’t have to stand up and go to another place to finish cleaning yourself. This type, as mentioned, is common in Arab and Asian countries.
Sit on the separated bidet. Most separated bidets allow you to choose either to sit facing the tap or against it, as when sitting on top of the Turkish toilet. It is usually easiest to sit facing the water controls, so that you can comfortably adjust the temperature and flow level. Based on the above, stretch the bidet, with each foot on one side, as if you were sitting on a horse. This allows you to see the water flowing, thus making the process of cleaning yourself simpler and easier.
- You may need to remove your pants and underwear completely so that you are able to sit facing the tap in the bidet. An alternative solution, if you don’t want to take all your clothes off, might be to take off one foot, so that you can move your feet around the bidet without a problem. You won’t have this problem if you hold the faucet in your back or use the Turkish toilet’s built-in bidet.
- In the case of a separate bidet, what determines how you will sit on the sink bidet is the location of the water taps and the area of the body you wish to clean. This means that if you need to clean the front of your body, it is easier to face the faucet. If you are cleaning your ass, we recommend that you turn your back to the water tap
Use the bidet that is built into the Turkish toilet seat. Look for the flush button or faucet, which is usually located on the wall next to the toilet. In some cases, you may find a faucet or a water switch attached to the Turkish toilet itself. In contrast, you will find the nozzle in the toilet, just below you while you are seated, and the water flowing from it will wash your lower body directly.
- When finished, press the water shutdown button (in modern high-end toilets) or turn off the tap (in standard toilets). The nozzle will stop draining immediately, and in some modern toilets it will also flush itself and return to its designated place inside the Turkish toilet.
- In the case of mechanical bidets installed in the Turkish toilet, it may be sufficient to tighten the lever and close the water valve.
clean yourself
Adjust the temperature and water flow level to your liking. If the bidet bidet has two taps; One for hot water and one for cold, so turn on the hot tap first. Once the hot water flows, run the cold water tap until it reaches the desired temperature that makes you comfortable. Run the water very carefully; Many faucets in these basins push the water with a lot of force once it’s turned on, in some cases you may also need to keep holding the faucet to keep the water flowing.
- In areas with usually hot weather – such as countries in the Middle East – it may be best to start with cold water. The water won’t take much time to heat up, which you should use to your advantage to avoid running the hot water alone, which in turn could expose you to burning sensitive areas of your body.
- Make sure you clearly know where the nozzle is, or you could end up with a sudden shower. If the rinse tub has a spray hose (which is common in Arab countries as opposed to being prohibited in other countries, such as the UK), make sure to first place your hand over it in order to mute any tap and then press or pull the shift lever located between or behind Tap directly
Take the correct position. Sit or squat over the stream so that the water is aimed directly at the area you want to wash. You can move freely over the rinse bowl or sit and rest on it. Note that most rinse bowls do not have a chair that you can rest your back on, but you can still sit on it by just resting on top of the edge. You may find some rinse bowls work by filling the sink itself with enough water without a spout. In this case, you will need to use your hands to clean yourself manually.
- In the case of a mechanical hand-operated rinser, once your job is done you need to use the external mechanism to turn the nozzle halfway into the bowl and then operate the water supply valve, which is always at the level of your hands next to the sink. The advantage of this type of shower is that the hose is very thin, so you usually don’t feel the water temperature. However, this does not prevent you from using warm water in case you feel the need to do so, which you can do by connecting the water to one of the hot water supplies in the bathroom
Clean your buttocks and genitals. When the rinse bowl has a hose or water guide nozzle, you may just rely on the force of the rushing water to get the job done. On the other hand, rinse basins that fill themselves require you to do the work manually. In either case, it may be best to use your hands to clean yourself more quickly and efficiently. Don’t worry, you can wash your hands with water and an aromatic wash to get rid of any unwelcome effects.
- We suggest that you combine the use of toilet paper and a bidet. You may use the toilet paper at the end of cleaning in order to dry your genitals, then you can throw them in the trash bin.