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Toilet
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This article is about the fixture generally. For the common flush toilet, see flush toilet. For a room containing a
toilet, see Toilet (room). For other uses, see Toilet (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Toilette.
A Western flush toilet with a paper seat cover dispenser, waste basket, and toilet brush near the German-Austrian
border
Squat
Raised pit toilet, Informal settlements Kampala
Toilets come in various forms around the world, including flush toilets used by sitting or squatting, and dry toilets
like pit latrines.
A toilet[n 1] is a piece of sanitary hardware that collects human urine and feces, and sometimes toilet paper, usu-
ally for disposal. Flush toilets use water, while dry or non-flush toilets do not. They can be designed for a sitting
position popular in Europe and North America with a toilet seat, with additional considerations for those with dis-
abilities, or for a squatting posture more popular in Asia (see squat toilet). In urban areas, flush toilets are usually
connected to a sewer system that leads to septic tanks in isolated areas. The waste is known as blackwater and the
combined effluent including other sources is sewage. Dry toilets are connected to a pit, removable container, com-
posting chamber, or other storage and treatment device, including urine diversion with a urine-diverting toilet.

The technology used for modern toilets varies. Toilets are commonly made of ceramic (porcelain), concrete,
plastic, or wood. Newer toilet technologies include dual flushing, low flushing, toilet seat warming, self-cleaning,
female urinals and waterless urinals. Japan is known for its toilet technology. Airplane toilets are specially designed
to operate in the air. The need to maintain anal hygiene post-defecation is universally recognized and toilet paper
(often held by a toilet roll holder), which may also be used to wipe the vulva after urination, is widely used (as well
as bidets).

In private homes, depending on the region and style, the toilet may exist in the same bathroom as the sink, bath,
and shower. Another option is to have one room for body washing (also called “bathroom”) and a separate one
for the toilet and handwashing sink (toilet room). Public toilets (restrooms) consist of one or more toilets (and
commonly single urinals or trough urinals) which are available for use by the general public. Products like urinal
blocks and toilet blocks help maintain the smell and cleanliness of toilets. Toilet seat covers are sometimes used.
Portable toilets (frequently chemical “porta johns”) may be brought in for large and temporary gatherings.

Historically, sanitation has been a concern from the earliest stages of human settlements. However, many poor
households in developing countries use very basic, and often unhygienic, toilets - and nearly one billion people
have no access to a toilet at all; they must openly defecate and urinate.[1] Or else they must resort to a “flying
toilet”: a plastic bag. These issues can lead to the spread of diseases transmitted via the fecal-oral route, or the
transmission of waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. Therefore, the United Nations Sustainable De-
velopment Goal 6 wants to “achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open
defecation”.[2]

Contents
1 Overview
2 With water
2.1 Flush toilet
2.2 Vacuum toilet
2.3 Floating toilet
3 Without water
3.1 Pit latrine
3.2 Vault toilet
3.3 Urine-diverting toilet
3.4 Portable toilet
3.5 Chemical toilet
3.6 Toilet fed to animals
3.7 “Flying toilet”
4 Squat toilets
5 Usage
5.1 Urination
5.2 Anal cleansing habits
5.3 Accessible toilets
5.4 Public toilets
6 Public health aspects
7 History
7.1 Ancient history
7.2 Post-classical history
7.3 Modern history
8 Names
8.1 Etymology
8.2 Contemporary use
8.3 Regional variants
8.4 Euphemisms
9 Gallery
10 See also
11 Notes
12 References
Overview
The number of different types of toilets used worldwide is large,[3][4] but can be grouped by:

Having water (which seals in odor) or not (which usually relates to e.g. flush toilet versus dry toilet)
Being used in a sitting or squatting position (sitting toilet versus squat toilet)
Being located in the private household or in public (toilet room versus public toilet)
Toilets can be designed to be used either in a sitting or in a squatting posture. Each type has its benefits. The
“sitting toilet”, however, is essential for those who are movement impaired. Sitting toilets are often referred to as
“western-style toilets”.[5] Sitting toilets are more convenient than squat toilets for people with disabilities and the
elderly.

People use different toilet types based on the country that they are in. In developing countries, access to toilets
is also related to people’s socio-economic status. Poor people in low-income countries often have no toilets at all
and resort to open defecation instead. This is part of the sanitation crisis which international initiatives (such as
World Toilet Day) draw attention to.[6]

With water
Flush toilet
Main article: Flush toilet

Flush toilet bowl

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