In Indonesia, water is the cleanser of choice. Toilet paper is rare.
Wipe options will vary. You may see a hose, a bucket and water, or toilet paper. In many cases, wiping is a hands-on affair, with a preference for using the left hand over the right.
After traveling to nine of Indonesia’s islands and encountering A LOT of toilets, I created this guide to help you navigate your way through the toilet maze of Indonesia.
Search the Guide
Left hand vs right hand → Using a squat toilet → The bucket → How to wipe→ How to flush→ The hose → Can you flush toilet paper? → What to bring with you
Left hand vs right hand
Understanding when to use your left hand versus right hand in Indonesia is important in the bathroom and out.
Traditionally, you use your left hand for wiping. The right hand is the traditional hand to greet people and eat.
[captionpix imgsrc=”http://twofishtraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/left-hand-for-wiping.jpg” captiontext=”Need help remembering what hand to wipe with? Put a ring on it. “]
Customs aside, Indonesians will most likely not judge a foreigner for mistakenly touching, gesturing, or eating with the wrong hand. I definitely noticed a few Indonesians using their left hand to eat on occasion.
A majority of Indonesians are Muslim—Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world—and cleanliness is particularly important in Islam. Many consider it unsanitary to merely wipe with paper.
Using a squat toilet
To use a squat toilet, place your feet on either side of the toilet. The dirty part with ridges is where lots of other feet have been. That’s where your feet go, too. Now SQUAT.
[captionpix imgsrc=”http://twofishtraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/squat-toilet-with-bucket.jpg” captiontext=”How low can you go…”]
In tourist areas, larger bathrooms may offer an option to squat or sit.
[captionpix imgsrc=”http://twofishtraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/bathroom-stalls.jpg” captiontext=”To squat or not, that is the question.”]
Signs will show you which stalls are squat toilets, and which are seated.
[captionpix imgsrc=”http://twofishtraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/007.jpg” captiontext=”Squat toilet sign”]
The bucket
In many bathrooms, you will notice a bucket, or similar structure, with water in it.
[captionpix imgsrc=”http://twofishtraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/klotok-bathroom-toilet-with-bucket.jpg” captiontext=”What’s with the bucket?”]
The bucket in the bathroom serves a dual purpose:
-
wipe (hands + water)
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flush
Because water is used for multiple purposes, many bathrooms will be wet and have water on the floors. I didn’t know this before and was unsettled by the water at first. Don’t be like me.
How to wipe
When you are finished doing your business, use your right hand to grab the ladle in the water bucket. Pour water into your left hand and use the water to wipe.
Run out of water? Use the faucet to refill. Easy peasy.
[captionpix imgsrc=”http://twofishtraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/bathroom-bucket-with-faucet.jpg” captiontext=”Turn the tap to get fresh water”]
How to flush
Many toilets do not automatically flush. Whether squat or Western-style, you may need to scoop water from the bucket into the toilet to move your poop through the pipes.
Don’t just leave it there. That would be weird.
The hose
But wait. What if there is a hose instead of a bucket?
[captionpix imgsrc=”http://twofishtraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/toilet-with-hose.jpg” captiontext=”Is that a hose? Where’s the bucket I’ve come to know and love?!”]
Don’t panic.
Handle the hose with the same approach you would the bucket. Hold the nozzle with your right hand, and aim the spray at areas you need to wipe.
The water pressure from the hose typically takes care of the wiping, but you can also use your left hand per usual. Look at you go!
Sometimes, you may get your choice of hose or toilet paper. What a treat.
[captionpix imgsrc=”http://twofishtraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/squat-toilet-with-hose.jpg” captiontext=”Oh you fancy, huh?”]
Can you flush toilet paper?
No. Most pipes in Indonesia cannot handle toilet paper. Most plumbing systems are built on the assumption individuals use water, not paper, to wipe.
If you do use paper, throw it away in a garbage can or cart it out after use. Whatever course you decide to take, do everyone a solid and take care of your own disposal.
What to bring with you
If you are not used to wiping with water, I highly suggest bringing along wet wipes, tissues, or toilet paper. It will help you ease into the experience of using water. A pack of 56 wet wipes lasted me the month we were in Indonesia (even with my stomach issues).
Signs will remind you how to dispose of paper and/or wipes—and remind you not to squat on the seated toilets.
[captionpix imgsrc=”http://twofishtraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/do-not-sit-on-toilet-sign.jpg” captiontext=”Toilet sign”]
There you have it: a guide to pooping in Indonesia. All the best to you in your toilet travels!
Did you enjoy this post? Check out my comic, Adventures With Vrah, about the 3 D’s: Death, Depression, and Diarrhea (that’s me in the blue dress).
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Hi, I'm Sarah! I write and illustrate the comic Adventures with Vrah (adventureswithvrah.com), where I discuss the 3 D's: Death, Depression, and Diarrhea. I'm also one of the Fish from my travel blog, Two Fish Traveling (twofishtraveling.com). I LOVE squirrel monkeys. And crocodiles. And fireworks.
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Don’t forget to clean your hand with soap and water (if any) 😀
Haha yes, cleaning with hands with soap and water is a very important part of the process 🙂
Thanks for the very descriptive information. I was worried about spending a month in Indonesia after all the stories I heard. I feel more informed and happier about my visit now.
Hi Nancy! Thanks for your note. We are thrilled to hear that our article put you at ease for your Indonesia trip. What islands are you visiting? Enjoy, and please let us know how the bathroom adventures go.
Hi! Maybe a weird question, but you sound like the person who would know the answer. What do you do after you use the water/hose to get dry? Or do you just put on your pants while everything is dripping wet? Would love to hear the answer, since I started living at a host family on Java yesterday!
Kind regards, Jane
Hi, Jane! Not a weird question at all. Thanks so much for asking me. 🙂 The issue of how to “get dry” after using water/hose is definitely something I think about a lot when we visit Indonesia. Honestly, I “do a little dance” and shimmy after using the water to remove excess water! And then, yes, I put on my pants while still damp. Typically you’ll dry pretty fast. You can also carry toilet paper or a towel with you in the bathroom, and blot after you use the bathroom. You can cart the toilet paper out with you for… Read more »
Sarah, thanks for your sharing and your guide is make sense for me , because we currently plan to do some research for Indonesia toilet . It is helpful !
Hi JJ, So glad this article was helpful to you! 🙂
No washing hands with soap?🤢😷
Super helpful information was excited for Bali just not the bathrooms
I was aware of the hose, but I did not know of using the left hand. I thought the water pressure from the hose was already good enough to cleanse. You may add that this practice is also applicable in many parts of Malaysia,
In the wake of the outbreak of Covid-19, using a hose is a good alternative when you can’t get anymore toilet paper!
Great point re Malaysia! We’ve seen this practice applicable in many countries since writing.
And yes – the hose is welcome in the lack of TP! It’s too bad water as a cleaning method isn’t as common in North America… maybe toilet paper shortages during Coronavirus will shift people to water.
I have three toilets in my house, and all three fill for a few seconds every got our so. I have replaced all the flappers and fill valves, and made sure that the water is below the overflow pipe and that the chain is not getting caught in the flapper. Is there a next step in the troubleshooting process?
When you poop, where n how does it go away. I took one look at the toilet n made myself wait.
Also I have knee replacements and cannot bend so what then. Thanku
There is a hole in the ground under the toilet. New latrines are built when the hole fills. As for bending, maybe try a hover position? There are also many western style toilet throughout the country, especially in cities. 🙂
No matter what, a bathroom shouldn’t have any metal exposed because the poop infections named fungi, bacteria, arthropod insects that always live in latrine pit and bathroom infect all metals, thus infect anyone that touches them. In addition, insects, fungi and bacteria live wherever there is water, mainly putrid odors. Although mankind tried to practice cleanliness, the excremental infections that nest in their body control everything they do and mankind came to live as infections. As you can see religion is naturally filthy because religions sourced from putrid decayed matter: worshiping of the dead. The indonesians nest something named spirits… Read more »
Ok question, got this down but what about if you’re just peeing and there isn’t toilet paper. Do you go for the bucket/hose again? Thanks lol
somehow I found this, and since I’m Indonesian I think i can answer. Yes, use the bucket/hose again for pee. Usually for #1 we only use water, but for #2 we use soap and water. I understand it takes time to getting used to it, especially with squat toilet. If you never been use bucket/hose system before, try it on the floor or toilet bowl or your hand before spraying water onto your ‘things’, so you know what kind of pressure you need. Bucket is better for squat toilet, and hose is better for sitting toilet. The last part is… Read more »
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I am pooped after reading this great helpful article!