Ask anyone who’s traveled outside their own country: bathroom surprises can catch you off guard, and no place fuels more bathroom curiosity than Dubai. You step off the plane, jetlagged and probably thirsty, and that first trip to a restroom might just stop you in your tracks—because what’s familiar at home can be quite different halfway across the world. Dubai’s bathroom culture is a mix of modern technology, deep-rooted traditions, and a few quirks that say a lot about respect for cleanliness and comfort. If you’ve ever packed extra tissues or worried about bathroom etiquette in Dubai, you’re not alone.
Toilet Paper in Dubai: What’s in the Stall?
The short answer: Yes, Dubai toilet paper is everywhere—just maybe not in every way you expect. Walk into a hotel, shopping mall, or airport restroom, and you’ll see rolls of perfectly good toilet paper, often the fancy kind that doesn't shred at first touch. Dubai’s standards for public restrooms are sky-high: imagine sparkling floors, staff constantly cleaning, and everything you might need neatly available. But here’s where it gets interesting—nearly every toilet, whether fancy or functional, also comes with a bidet hose, or "shattaf" as locals call it.
You’ll find these handheld sprays mounted next to toilets in homes, restaurants, hospitals, and public washrooms. It’s a water-powered approach that’s more thorough than paper alone, providing a quick and effective clean-up. This isn’t unique to the UAE, but in Dubai, it’s practically a given. Even in luxury hotels, they might pair the shattaf with plush paper. So, why both? It comes down to Dubai being a place where East truly meets West, and where catering to everyone’s habits is a must.
For people who grew up in the West, using a sprayer might feel new at first, but the combination of water and paper actually makes a lot of sense—ask around and you’ll hear folks say it feels much cleaner. But, here’s a quick tip: don’t flush large wads of paper, as plumbing systems sometimes struggle. In many restrooms, you’ll see a separate bin for used tissue. It’s not glamorous, but it’s practical. Only in truly local or older public restrooms might you ever find a lack of paper—these places expect you to use water first. Expats and tourists that want extra comfort sometimes carry travel tissues just in case, though most never have an issue, even in Metro stations or parks.
Let’s get specific with some data. According to the Dubai Municipality, over 95% of public toilets in Dubai now include both paper and a water spray option. The massive Dubai Mall, for example, has several hundred bathrooms—all with both. In homes, almost every new apartment or villa includes a bidet feature, and paper use is common, especially among expats.
| Place | Toilet Paper Available | Bidet Sprayer Present |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels (3 stars and above) | Yes | Yes |
| Public Shopping Malls | Yes | Yes |
| Older Mosques | Sometimes | Yes |
| Modern Homes | Yes | Yes |
| Labour Camps | Rarely | Yes |
The Culture Behind Dubai’s Bathroom Habits
If you’ve ever wondered why Dubai’s restrooms offer both toilet paper and water, it boils down to the city’s unique blend of cultures and Islamic traditions. Islam puts a huge focus on cleanliness. The practice of using water after using the toilet comes from something called “istinja,” which is an essential part of daily hygiene for Muslims. This isn’t just a practical thing; it’s a matter of personal dignity. Imagine trying to introduce just toilet paper to a household where water cleaning is practically sacred—wouldn’t go down well! At the same time, with Dubai’s huge expat population (over 85% of its residents are from abroad!), catering to Western norms is just as important. That’s why you’ll rarely find a toilet that doesn’t let you choose how you want to clean up.
So, if you’re at a friend’s dinner party or a business meeting in Dubai, knowing which button or lever turns on the bidet hose is almost as important as knowing which fork to use at dinner. You might even spot some specialty bathrooms with electronic Japanese-style seats, complete with warm water sprays and more buttons than your TV remote—especially in luxury hotels or ultra-modern office towers. UAE’s multicultural mix means even restaurants run by expats will have bathrooms with both options, partly because locals expect it, and partly because the city’s hospitality sector likes to keep everyone happy and clean.
It isn’t just about technology, though. Public toilets in mosques are still mostly water-only, with tissues rarely provided, so carrying your own paper is smart if you’re heading off the beaten path. At the beach or in parks, facilities are well-maintained and often have both, but busy weekends can mean supplies run low, so it’s never a bad idea to have a packet of wipes or tissues in your bag. School bathrooms, offices, and hospitals also blend approaches, usually leaning toward water first, but not ignoring paper.
If you’re nervous about using a shattaf, don’t worry. It takes a bit of practice, but it’s not tough. Just aim and squeeze the trigger gently—a little goes a long way. Parents with kids sometimes even find it handy for, let’s say, more “creative” cleaning needs.
Dubai also has strict rules about public cleanliness. Littering in restrooms is a serious offense, and washrooms are inspected regularly. There’s even the Dubai Public Toilet Grading System, which ranks facilities on hygiene and accessibility, meaning businesses have real incentives to keep standards high.
Travel Tips and Fun Bathroom Facts for Dubai
Maybe you’re a planner like me and want to know exactly what to expect, especially with Callum always needing a bathroom break at the most unpredictable moments. Here’s my go-to advice for anyone heading to Dubai:
- Carry some tissues or a small pack of wipes in your bag for just-in-case moments. It comes in handy on day trips, especially in older neighborhoods or crowded events like Dubai Shopping Festival.
- Don’t be afraid to use the bidet sprayer—even if it feels new. They’re easy to use and yes, it feels super clean.
- If you see a sign saying not to flush paper, follow it. Plumbing can be sensitive, especially in older buildings. Just use the provided bin.
- Public bathrooms in malls and hotels are often spotless and fully stocked, but if you’re at a local bazaar or smaller mosque, don’t expect every Western convenience.
- Embrace the variety! You could use a high-tech Japanese-style toilet one day and a squat toilet with only water the next. Both are normal here.
- If you’re a parent, Dubai is super kid-friendly, but remember to bring backup tissues for little emergencies. Most malls have family bathrooms with extra supplies.
For a fun fact, did you know that Dubai’s public bathroom cleaning staff—often called "nannies" in the malls—clean facilities as many as twelve times per day? That’s more than triple the rate in most big cities. Also, Dubai was one of the first cities in the Gulf to roll out paper toilet seat covers in many malls and airports. And if you’re really lucky (or just love clever tech), you might land in a bathroom that plays soft music and offers seat-warming buttons for winter months—though winter in Dubai is a relative term.
So, does Dubai use toilet paper? Absolutely—but it’s just one part of the city’s commitment to keeping everyone comfortable and clean. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or new to Middle Eastern adventures, knowing what to expect in the bathroom can take a big travel worry off your mind. The mix of paper and water means Dubai’s restrooms might just spoil you for everywhere else.