I remember the first time I encountered a squat toilet on my travels.
It was in a small bar in Verona, Italy where I studied abroad, and the first thing I did was stand there in disbelief for about five minutes before I could get to the realization that I had to squat to pee in this Western country’s bathroom.
I was still new at this overseas travel thing and thought that only the bidet was a unique toilet experience I would have to encounter in Italy.
I learned a lot that semester — especially about the art (or the tragedy) of using squat toilets, and that knowledge has grown through months of travel in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
In my Woman's Guide to Using Squat Toilets, I lay out some of the facts, questions, and tips I’ve acquired concerning squat toilets and the female traveler.
Where Squat Toilets Exist
Squat toilets are quite prevalent around the world.
They may be rare in North America, but travel to Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South America and parts of Europe, and you will quickly be introduced to an experience or two of using a squatter.
Popular tourist destinations will tend to cater to the Western traveler with hotels and expat locations installing the sitting style toilets.
Issues with Squat Toilets for Female Travelers
The main problem for women attempting to use squat toilets is the risk of getting urine on you and your clothing — especially a pant leg.
The risk is combined with the stress that comes from having to use new muscles in your legs to use the restroom.
Unlike men, who only have to squat for half of their squat toilet encounters, women will have to squat for 100% of them.
It can make even the best of us shaky afterward, and I’ve heard many a girl fear that they might fall over (or in!) a squat toilet because of it.
Before You Go
There are a few things I like to have with me before venturing into a squat toilet: toilet paper, a light backpack, hand sanitizer, and a Ziploc bag.
If you know you will be traveling in areas with squat toilets, it is best to have these items with you at all times.
1. Toilet Paper
Toilet paper is not a necessity in some cultures.
Instead, you might be given a hose or a bucket of water, or the toilet paper stock might not ever be stocked.
Toilet paper or a pack of tissues can save a girl a lot of trouble.
2. Backpack
A light backpack might seem like a bit much, but there are stuffable daypacks that can fit in your palm.
Throw one in your purse because when you get to a squat toilet with no coat hooks and a dirty floor, you're going to want a place to hold the stuff on your body without getting in the way of “business.”
3. Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is a no-brainer. This is always in my bag — even when I'm not traveling.
4. Ziploc Bag
A Ziploc bag is for the times there is no trash can in your toilet, and you're in a country where you can't flush paper.
If you are a paper-all-the-time kind of gal, then pop in the Ziploc bag until you can find a proper trash can.
Best Methods for Using Squat Toilets
The basic rules for using squatters are as follows:
Roll your pant legs up to your knees to minimize the risk of splashback hitting the bottoms.
Place your feet on the foot grooves on the side of the toilet hole.
Pull your pants down as far as you can comfortably go (preferably to the knees), but this will vary with the type of clothing you are wearing.
Squat to the point where you can squat no more. Just like the limbo, you'll want to go as low as you can go to get your stream as close to the bowl as possible.
Shoot for the hole as hitting anywhere else on the bowl has a higher chance of causing splashback.
Wipe or rinse according to what’s on-hand.
Optional
Many women claim that they can only get by in a squat toilet if they take off the bottom half of their clothing completely.
Unlike men, it is harder to control the stream, so a woman might occasionally shoot sideways or get a splash from the toilet on their pant legs.
If you do remove your clothing, you will need to find a hook or place to hang it to keep them off the often questionable ground.
This is where a daypack can save the day — giving you a place to keep your belongings off the ground while also staying out-of-the-way unlike a side sling purse or bag.
Trust me — been there, done that!
Wipe and Flush
All squat toilets are created differently, so in one location, you might have an actual flush toilet, and in another, you might have to scoop buckets of water into the bowl to clean it out for the next user.
One location might use toilet paper and expect you to place the paper in the trash bin, while another might cause you to rely on a water hose to wash your backside down after use.
Just remember to do what you do in accordance with the local criteria.
Extra Tips
Practice a squat before you go to destinations where squat toilets reign supreme.
Do squat exercises to build up the leg muscles that will be in use.
A disposable female urine funnel can be very helpful for the traveler that can't seem to master squat toilets on her own.
These are relatively inexpensive and can be tossed in the bin after use.
Further Reading
- Toilet Tips by Journeywoman
- The Art of Squatting by Girl, Unstoppable
- Exercises for the Squat Toilet by Perceptive Travel Blog
- Squat Toilet Misery & Mastery by Female Travel Underground
Planning a trip? Go Backpacking uses and recommends:
- G Adventures for small group tours
- Skyscanner for researching flights
- Hostelworld for booking hostels
- Airbnb for renting rooms and homes
- Rail Europe for train passes
- World Nomads for travel insurance
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Great article! I’ve been to these toilets way too many times during my travels! I’m just one of them who can’t get the hang of them, so I use, as you’ve mentioned, a urine funnel! The difference is that this one is made of antibacterial rubber, so I’ve actually been using it for two years when i go abroad. The only thing I need to do is wash it after use and put it in a zip lock bag:) It has saved me countless times:) it is called whiz freedom, and you can get it online.
Hi Kine,
I’ve heard of these things, and pondered buying some myself for camping and squat toilet situations. Thanks for sharing!
Nice piece! I was super worried about them in Asia, but quickly got used to it–as soon as I realized that just because it was a squat toilet didn’t mean it was a porta-potty or going to be dirty. I used so many in people’s homes or small restaurants, and they were incredibly clean (and fresh smelling!)–that really helped me get over the initial “holy shit it’s a squat toilet” shock.
Surprisingly, I got use to them as I was traveling Asia too. In the same way I got use to having to take bucket showers with cold water. Not that I ever enjoyed either!
I found that if you just pull your pants all the way down, then squat all the way down and then kind of pull your pants away from your body, all while trying to balance yourself, it minimizes the possibility of splashing…I had a whole conversation in Chiang Mai with some travelers about the health benefits of squat toilets. Countries with squat toilets have a lower incidence of colon cancer….
Yes, they are also supposed to help avoid getting haemorrhoids!
Haemorrhoids are the least of it. The benefits of squatting are huge and varied as you can read at this site: http://www.naturesplatform.com/health_benefits.html
I’m Asian, I grew up in Asia, I traveled here but I really really hate squat toilets. (I don’t know in other countries but in Manila, we use western-style toilet). This post though is esp helpful to those like me who have no choice but to deal with it.
Very useful guide, Brooke! As much as I’ve been getting used to the squat, it’s still never fun. Except when I have to #2. For some reason, squatting when you have to #2 feels like the easiest, most efficient and clean. Let gravity do it’s thing and you need less tissues!
Thanks for the inclusion!
I have family in india and in their old apartment they had these type toilets, hole in the floor, it took time getting used to but was ok after a few visits. I suppose you do what you have to when you have to if there is no other choice. I hear the person talking about the balancing act as that is probably the most difficult part.
“you do what you have to when….there is no other choice” — exactly. And what surprised me was how use to it I got after awhile. I can even see how others might view the Western toilets as less sanitary by comparison.
They are one of the reasons I often wear a skirt when travelling. I’m OK with most of them – but using them on trains is bloody challenging I’ve got to say!
Thankfully I managed to make it through 7 weeks of riding trains in India without the need to use one of their squat toilets.
The one on the Aswan “Express” made the Indian ones look good …
I usually hover over toilets on trains anyway — they’re always so gross! So, maybe I’d do alright on a train squat toilet, but I’m not running to find out :)
The washing and drying is the problem. HOW do they do? How can you wash the right parts with those buckets????? and HOW do they dry???
Squat toilet is the easiest to use and I find cleanest because there’s no skin contact with the seat. Do you guys know how toilet cleaners clean up the toilet seat (sitting type)? They do it with a mop which they use to clean the toilet bowl first and the floor. If you go to any toilet, find the cleaner and most probably you will find her with just that one all-in-one tool – the mop!
PART 1: Using the squat toilet is easy. You squat fully like those guys in the picture. Use toilet paper to line the flat area of the bowl towards. Aim your crap so that it falls right on the toilet paper (so you wont leave skid marks). If you look down you’ll see your pile of shit, but it’s OK. Once you’re done, wipe yourself with toilet paper till you’re sure you’re clean (no marks on the toilet paper). Get up, flush the toilet. Your crap would be gone by now.
PART 2:
Squat again, find the pipe hose, use a toilet paper to hold the hose neck, clean the nozzle first by running the water for a bit. Now *point* the hose to your lady part making sure the water also can travel to the back area. Don’t let the nozzle touch your nether region though. Run it for awhile. Then use the other hand to wash your front part and move to back part. Once you’re thoroughly clean, stop the water and place the hose on the side or at the placeholder. Drop the toilet paper into the toilet bowl till you cant see them. Swish yourself up and down 2 or 3 times to rid of the water droplets. Use just a little bit of toilet paper (you can also use those paper towel for hand because those are thicker) to wipe yourself from front to back. Get up, get ready to go out and wash your hand with soap making sure you clean your nails thoroughly. If you don’t like to use water, you can stop at part 1 above.
I find I can evacuate more on squat toilet.Urination can be a problem. Mine plashed a bit
Thanks Brooke for the informative article! In India, there tends to be several variations of toilets, each corresponding with some of the particular techniques that you have mentioned. I’ve only once been really thanking the gods for having brought paper with me, in the “mound” on the highway with no water or bucket available! Toilet styles found in India & associated tips:
Whilst traveling through Asia I was told the trick to squat toilets is to stand on them backwards and then squat. I tried it and it works a lot better re: splash back lol.
Also, I don’t recommend holding out to find a western toilet. I did this on a bus ride in Thailand and almost burst my bladder.
Perhaps purchasing a she-wee is another solution.
Men have it so easy!
Oh goodness, if only I had read this before my short trip to China with my family. I was in tears because I felt so dirty near the toilets, and I didn’t even experience splash-back. I completely removed my bottom clothing while I was in the stall because I knew my day would be completely ruined if I got any urine on my clothing. So I took off my panties and pants (and I had to cautiously slip off my sandals in the process because I didn’t want my dirty sandal bottoms to have any chance of touching my pants). Then, holding my panties and pants in my hands, I went into a squat and peed. I then realized they didn’t stock toilet paper in the stall, so I had to have a women outside of the stall slip me some of her toilet paper. Ugh, I used that type of toilet once at that bus stop there, and then held in my urine for a Western-style toilet every other time.
I guess I never really thought about using squat toilets from a woman’s perspective. As a male traveler, it’s much easier for me to deal with these things. You dames just have it rough.
Thank you so much for this article! I’m a little concerned about squat toilets in China where I’ll be studying abroad but I’m determined to make the best of them. The other information I found on the internet basically stated ‘here are squat toilets and I went through it and therefore I guess you can too, good luck!’ whereas I was seeking more on the squatting form. You explained an approach to doing so very nicely and I will definitely keep your tips in mind for when the time comes :)
Always make sure you don’t drop your mobile phone or wallet in the squat toilet!
Diarrhoea is another nasty challenge bec it can explode and not get contained unlike in a sit-on. Here is where you really need thick hand wipes to wipe your shoes.
A silicone or rubber pee cone is a must for females who may need to pee standing against a wall.
I may be visiting South America and heard that they have squat toilets in that region, so this information if very timely.
I’ve always been the grin-and-bear-it type when traveling, thus I’m used to crossed legs and/or a tight tushy. If it can wait, I’ll hold it in until I get back to my hotel room for cleanliness and privacy reasons. This is especially true for a #2 as I hate needing to take care of a bowel movement in a public restroom.
Again, thank you for the article as your tips may come in handy.
I would be surprised to find a squat toilet in south america. Not common at all. It is a western society, and western traditions are common, even among poor population. I have traveled all over SA and have never found one, you will be fine. (Born and raised there in case you need source)
You don’t have to remove your pant or skirt completely. Just use pull the pant down, squat and hold your pant using your knee. Hope this help :)
Water and Clothing: pull your pants up to your knees and bunch your pants tightly around your spread knees not ankles. A deep squat is needed and your feet need to be wide spread. Its tough to balance on your tip toes and things will be much better when you can truly deep squat on flat feet, so practice. Women can spread their labia slightly so that no pee will get on them and their stream wont find its way to a leg. To use the water: scoop some with your right hand and pour a little on one finger of your left hand. Dab the pee spot. Rinse your finger. You will stay completely dry.
To use the water after defecating put about a shot glass full in the ladle and pour a little on one left hand finger. Stay deep squatting and pour the tiny amount of water between your butt cheeks where it will run down to the right spot and rub with your wet finger. Use the rest of your dry left hand to pat yourself dry. The truly non-squeamish will just wipe with a wet finger and then… wash your hands.
Experiment when you are in the bathroom and ready to take a shower just in case…
Western toilets are one the main culprits for back and knee pain, joint immobility and a host of other unpleasant knock on effects that are common in westerners.
I think they should introduce Asian toilets in the UK. It would mean that everyone would have to learn to squat properly, that would save the NHS an absolute fortune!